The Baila Conmigo Project originated within the year of 2020 under the name of United Rhythm. United Rhythm was utilized as a way to bring the artform of dance to underserved and under-resourced communities within the San Fernando Valley.

At the time, 16 year-old Mya Cervantes had created a plan in partnership with a nonprofit, mental health services provider, to utilize her years of dance training as a way to introduce various forms of dance to the community as well as improve their mental health. With the COVID-19 Pandemic instead of in-person training Mya and the non-profit resorted to live online classes. Mya Cervantes brought forward a team of young, passionate, and dedicated teenage dancers who used their own expertise to contribute towards United Rhythm. From contemporary, hip hop, jazz, and even hula, United Rhythm introduced the artforms to the non-profit’s patients, elderly, child care providers, and even churches tuning in!

The following year in 2021, 15 year-old Makyla Cervantes (Mya’s sister) had set to work on furthering United Rhythm and expanding its impact under the name of Baila Conmigo! While partnering with the VAUGHN Next Century Learning Center, she aimed to provide Baila Conmigo’s services using in person classes. She assembled a strong team of fellow passionate high-school dance team members, close ballet-studio girls, as well as young experienced instructors (from United Rhythm), to take on the charter schools of Pacoima, California.

Through surveys taken by the VAUGHN staff, it was overwhelmingly clear in early 2020 that parents desired for their children to be provided with these dance services. However, it was through the perfect timing of Baila Conmigo’s birth that both the Project and VAUGHN schools were able to work together to provide such services within the summer. To this day Baila Conmigo has worked to share our passion for dance, and spur on children’s passions as well throughout our services. While our team of young leaders and volunteers expand, we recognize more and more the need for our project. With dance studios unprovided in areas of need and unaffordability for training classes, Baila Conmigo’s efforts will continue to be pursued! Every member has contributed immensely to our impact on the San Fernando Valley, and your help as well will be a stepping stone to furthering our outreach.