Interview & transcription by Heather Stockton

I would say being a part of Luna has really helped me get back in touch with my own creativity, just from watching the kids being creative.

Luna honors that everyone has their own creative ability- there is no right or wrong. That is your own story- your own creative piece. That is why we choose Luna too, because it has that inclusive environment.

I love that you have all of these women working here and make it work for the women working here. I love that you support each other through all of the different changes that you go through… that makes me feel better about our time and money here. I was just thinking ‘I don’t know how they do it all!’ I often tell people when they ask “why are you going all the way to Berkeley?” (we come from Alameda) well, other than the philosophy itself, I am giving my money to (an organization) who goes out into communities, and does outreach programs like MPACT, you know? And also as a work unit, how you all support each other, it just feels like a good place to support. I wish (our) family had more resources to support you.

I did parent child classes with Carmen…I did maybe like two sessions of parent-child classes with her. I love how you guys are so centered on what is developmentally appropriate…and then watching her grow into the older classes where she could start to do her own thing. And with Zola…she was so shy and more of an observer and really quiet. Usually would not answer back to an adult. I think in her head she thought she was doing big movements but actually looked like teeny little shapes. I actually wasn’t even sure she enjoyed coming to Luna and I remember thinking ‘I don’t know if we are going to come back’. But she said she wanted to come back and when she came back she started breaking out of her shell and I’ve seen her breaking out more and more. She has just become so much more grown…much more confident. I have seen her confidence grow at school- she used to be afraid to speak in front of others and just the other day she told me that she got this sticker because she read (her) writing in front of the class. I thought ‘wow how brave of her’. I absolutely believe that Luna has helped her develop confidence. And also within her body- on a physical level, she was always a more timid child. It wasn’t like she was not strong—she was hesitant, hesitant with her body. But I have seen her grow more confident with her inner self and with her physical self… yeah it’s really awesome. I do feel like Luna has been this subtle yet strong influence in her life.

On Monday, there was another girl in the class who was more shy than the others and Deborah (Zola’s Teacher at Luna) said “oh wow Zola was really brave, she (stepped up) and pretty much choreographed a dance with a whole audience…”

I am definitely really proud of her. I just love that she is growing in that way and I feel like it is in a healthy way. I think especially being a girl, I feel like this is good, having this foundation. I read somewhere that for a girl, confidence peaks at age 9. For my girls to be here, being able to be in your body, to be independent. I would say that is something that I am really grateful.

And with Carmen, she is just having so much fun. There is so much joy in her expressing and it makes me so happy to see. She said that she couldn’t wait to have a class for herself.

They love to be in the space and it is nice to see them so comfortable. And as siblings when they get to dance together in the space (during open houses/family dance classes) I feel like they get to connect through dance, they get to create together.