Ebonee Arielle (also known as Coach Ebonee) is an award-winning coach, Up2Us Sports coach program alumni (2010-2013) and professional gymnast / dancer / choreographer with over 20 years of professional experience in entertainment. Coach Ebonee has been teaching and serving the youth and community of Los Angeles through the Art of Dance for over a decade. After being awarded an inaugural Coach of the Year award by Up2Us Sports in 2013 for her commitment to changing lives in the inner cities of Los Angeles through dance, fitness and nutrition, Ebonee created her own after-school, physical education programs and launched her now 10 year-old baby: Show Off Dance Company (SODC).

SODC is a multifaceted physical training program for both youth and adults. SODC specializes in competitive dance team training and performance as well as professional dance training in Acrobatics, Technique (Ballet/Jazz) and Hip Hop dance. SODC takes pride in instilling a culture of health, confidence, respect, support and love within each program while equipping thousands of young people with tools for success in and out of the dance studio.

During this worldwide pandemic and quarantine, Coach Ebonee & her company continue to offer online dance classes for all ages on various platforms, including their website, Zoom, Instagram Live, IGTV & YouTube, in an effort to make the best of the shelter-at-home order and in respect to social distancing. She is keeping her LAUSD students moving with weekly virtual classes that families can access during the week for dance practice and as a resource for student’s daily P.E., because as we all know how important it is to stay active for our physical and mental health.

Coach Ebonee is extremely motivated to help everyone stay positive, active, connected and moving! Online dance classes offer students a connection with friends, stability during uncertain times, a much needed emotional outlet and great building blocks for when we return to the studios and schools. “It has been very inspiring to see how enthusiastically students have responded to virtual training, and how motivated and innovative the dance community has been during this time in an effort to still provide our services. We are all coming together despite how unexpected, unprepared and challenging this has been, and that is just one example of the silver lining here,” shares Coach Ebonee. 

When it comes to health and overall wellness, nothing quite covers as many bases as dancing. From improving conditions of the heart and lungs, muscular strength and endurance, to increased balance, coordination, flexibility, agility and spacial awareness, to increased confidence and self esteem, energy and improved neurological functions, psychological well-being and social skills - dance is one of the most well-rounded and beneficial things you can do for your body. Last but not least, it’s also fun! Coach Ebonee says, “when you combine the benefits of music with the benefits of cardiovascular exercise, art / creative expression, social interaction and coaching, you get DANCE. Dance also offers the opportunity to entertain others and make people feel happy and inspired, which is why it has become my mission to keep everyone moving, especially during the worldwide quarantine.”

As we each take it day by day, doing our best to stay positive, safe and healthy, Coach Ebonee will continue to offer her services through Show Off Dance Company’s free and donation-based online courses. She wants to support families during this time because she knows it can be a challenge to manage work and school from home, along with the many other changes which have affected our daily lives. Coach Ebonee has a promise: “Know that my SODC team and I are committed to providing fun, positive energy, exercise and some consistency for your children while you’re safe at home. So let’s dance!” 

The beauty within these trying times is that, thanks to technology, SODC is now accessible all over the world, not just in Los Angeles. You can join the virtual Show Off Dance family and stay updated on upcoming classes by following #CoachEbonee and #ShowOffDance on Instagram or Facebook. Ebonee and the Show Off Dance Company Staff are optimistic and hopeful about the future, focused on finishing strong and dedicated to changing lives one eight count at a time.

You can join them this Sunday, May 10th for a special Mother’s Day Virtual Dance Party. Learn more and register here.

Email showoffdance@gmail.com if you have any questions and follow Coach Ebonee and SODC on Instagram to stay updated.