“When I came to MoCo on the first day I fell in love instantly because of the creative freedom you have here, and the ability to get out and put yourself out in front of people. No matter what, they give you confidence by cheering you on. If you mess up, nobody cares which is very rare. And I think that was the biggest thing, and that’s what made me fall in love with it instantly.

I think the origin of making videos came from right here at MoCo. I was about 12. The first time I was involved with making a video was at C.A.K.E.. Later that fall I started making little videos by myself, then came back here every summer after that. I used to spend the entire school year writing the script for the summer movie, and it got me more excited and helped push me towards pursuing filmmaking.

When I showed one of my short film 24.5, that was the moment I realized how powerful film was and being able to get in front of people and put myself out there creatively, and take risks, and have people react to it, builds confidence and helps me have more confidence in myself and it helps you develop as an artist. I think this is one of the most healthy and best places to develop as an artist.

Growing up, the best thing C.A.K.E. did was just help me artistically go out on the edge and build confidence, and take risks that in many scenarios I would never do. I would never go out and make a video about Twinkis and Elmo, at my school and show it to people. This is the only place where people are really crazy enough to go to a point with your creativity that you can’t do anywhere else.

MoCo Arts will change your life, that’s the only thing I can say. It will literally change you, it will make you more outgoing, it will make you more confident, and it will make you into a person that no other program can do.”

Currently, I am planning to pursue a career in filmmaking. I will graduate this year (2014), im going to continue working on my craft this summer and go to school in the fall at Full Sail University and study filmmaking. My long term goal is to become a cinematographer, it doesn’t have to be a big Hollywood budget for me to be happy, I just want to be making films and telling stories with the camera, that’s all I want in my life and that’s all I need to be happy.”

“I hear a lot of good things about MoCo from other families who have brought their kids here. They all said it was a great place to be so I signed up and we started coming for the Toddler/Adult Creative Dance classes.

Olivia is more outgoing now, she is able to talk to people and in front of people now. She performed last year and was so excited to show everyone what she was capable of doing.

MoCo is a community, everyone cares for each other and looks out for each other, I think it’s an amazing place to be.”

“I first 20150502_shrek-004heard about MoCo from some friends who told me how great C.A.K.E. summer camp was and they said I should join. I came to C.A.K.E. this past summer and was really shy at first, but everyone was very welcoming and made me feel so comfortable.

At MoCo I know I can try new things, make mistakes and no one judges me. At school there’s a different culture, the younger kids make mistakes and some of the older kids make fun of them. Here at MoCo we know that we all make mistakes and it doesn’t really matter, everyone is very supportive of each other.

My life has changed a lot since coming to MoCo, I’m a better person now, I have more friends, I feel like I can do anything and take on any challange.”

“I started coming to MoCo when I was four years old, I joined Creative Dance with Miss Danielle. I love being at MoCo because of the people. All my teachers, the staff and the friends I dance with are like my extended family. I look up to my teachers as role models. They’re always her for me whenever I need anything, if I have questions or if I need help with something, they’re always here.

Before I came to MoCo I was really shy and didn’t really talk to many people. Now I am definitely a lot more open to trying new things and meeting new people. I have so many amazing memories here, MoCo will always be a big part of my life.”

“MoCo has given our son a place to pursue his interests in singing, dancing, and performing. It has given him a sense of self, confidence, and friends who have the same passion for the performing arts.

We knew that Connor was drawn to the arts and we didn’t know what to do with that ourselves, so it was important that we trust the people who would foster this talent and love for the arts. We are lucky in this community to have great arts opportunities. MoCo is so fantastic in being that place for kids who have a calling to the arts.

He has so many friends because of MoCo. As kids get older and more independent you want to see them develop healthy friendships with kids that they have things in common with. MoCo is a safe place to do that.”

“Makayla has totally embraced MoCo Makayla_EArts. It has given her a gateway to something that she may want to do for the rest of her life. To see my daughter in a place where she makes so many friends and boosts her self-confidence makes my heart happy. The staff encourages her to try new things. They do what is best for all of the kids. Whatever you want to do, you can do it. Give it a shot.”

“Being a part of MoCo has helped me make a lot of friends. I entered Keene High School from Surry Village Charter School where my graduating class was 10 kids. Because of MoCo I was able to have an easier transition. I have gained so much confidence by doing theatre and dance at MoCo, it has carried over into my school and social experiences.

I think MoCo is a really important place in our community because of the opportunities it gives kids in this area. It is such a welcoming and accepting place, and the staff makes you feel so supported and comfortable.”

“I started taking classes at MoCo when I was a toddler in Creative Dance. I remember Danielle visiting my daycare and teaching us to move like animals. (Which she still does today!) My parents saw that I loved it and looked into putting me in dance classes after that.

I stayed with dance as I got older because it gave me the confidence to see myself get better. I have grown, became more confident, and come out of my shell. I’m actually really shy outside of MoCo, which some people wouldn’t expect.

I have met so many different people at MoCo. All of the friendships with my classmates and teachers are going to stick with me.”

“At 3 years old Peter was acting out books at home with no prompting from us. He would get his props and act it out. He was born for drama. I have never seen a kid need theatre as much as he does.

He has learned things that will help in school next year: self-control, standing in line, and waiting your turn. At home he talks all the time, and daycare too, but at MoCo he is very focused. It helps him calm down and listen.

Peter gets excited for MoCo because he gets to make new friends. Socially, its a great program. The teachers create an atmosphere where the kids are treated with respect.”

“I was just 4 years old when the Moving Company (now MoCo) opened its doors and gave me a place to find myself through the art form I have loved from the beginning: dance. Instantly, MoCo became my home away from home, while at the same time connecting me to wonderful teachers in a loving environment where I took every class possible.

I spent 14 wonderful years at MoCo, and it warms my heart to see the organization continue to thrive and expand. Years later, I met my husband through dance and could not be happier to know there are still so many out there who share my passion for dance. Thank you MoCo for helping to shape me into the person I am today!”

“I chose MoCo because it’s a family here, it’s very close knit, and I really got a sense that I was learning something valuable. When I first started at C.A.K.E. camp in 2001 I wasn’t really a people-person, I didn’t want to perform in front of people, I didn’t want to talk in front of people, and then throughout the summer I came out of my shell, it helped shape who I was.

MoCo is a way to connect the larger Monadnock Community, it’s an awesome place to be. I’m so excited by how much is offered now and the depth of the classes. If I were a kid here now, I would be going crazy because I would want to take every class.

No matter what role, small or large, you have in a show, you’re going to learn a lot. You might not think that theatre is what you want to do in life, but it will give you a certain skill set in terms of presenting yourself in front of groups of people.

Today, I speak in front of people often, I wouldn’t have been able to do that otherwise. I stage managed once for a show here and I learned a lot about how to manage responsibility, and how to work with students. I learned how to handle those situations when I was at MoCo. I wouldn’t be in the professional position I am now if I didn’t learn it at MoCo.”

“It’s a good thing, trying to give your toddler ways to express themselves in different and appropriate ways. This is an appropriate venue to express themselves. You want them to experience everything, so I like the fact that there is also theatre available here.

Growing up I danced as well, so I like the way she gets traditional training but also learns that there are other types of dance and is able to explore everything.

In December, 2012 we took Caroline to see MoCo’s production of The Nutcracker. She had learned some of the show in Miss Danielle’s Creative Dance class, so she imitated what she had learned in class with the actual show. She thought she was in the show.”

“When I first walked into MoCo there was a wonderful feeling about this place, you could feel it. MoCo is a welcoming and artistic place.”