Renovate is a House dance education program founded in response to a growing gap between movement and meaning. During the pandemic, interest in street and club dance surged, but the rapid shift toward online learning often separated students from the cultural, social, and historical contexts that give the dance its MEANING. Many dancers learned steps without understanding the spaces they came from, the communities that shaped them, or the practices that sustain them.

Renovate was founded by Toji to address this disconnect. What began as an effort to create more informed, respectful participation in club spaces quickly grew into a broader educational mission: to support NEW dancers in understanding not only how to move, but why they move.

Joined by longtime collaborator Jess Smith, Renovate expanded into a program rooted in cultural literacy, embodied research, and community accountability. Together, they developed an approach centered on scaffolded instruction, clear historical framing, and a learning environment that balances rigor with care. Renovate meets students where they are. This offered gentle assurance while encouraging curiosity, responsibility, and growth.

This philosophy culminated in Renovate’s flagship Travel Study Program. Through immersive travel experiences, participants build relationships, deepen their practice, and engage directly with local dancers and cultural spaces. To date, Renovate has led THREE NATIONAL travel studies and TWO international programS.

Renovate HAS NOW CULMINATED WITH IT TRAVEL STUDY TO SUMMER DANCE FOREVER IN AMSTERDAM. THIS WAS THE FINAL STOP FOR RENOVATE AS WE HAVE ULTIMATELY FULFILLED OUR PURPOSE, CO-WORKING WITH EXISTING COMMUNITY PILLARS TO CREATE A MORE INFORMED AND IMPACTFUL HOUSE DANCE SPACE IN Los ANGELES AND CALIFORNIA.

THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING 2 YEARS.