Jamila Glass

I offer Saturday morning open level community classes for movers who want an introduction to contemporary movement or a chance to move at a steady pace. This option is also ideal for movers who are returning to dance or who want to dance in a more relaxed environment.

Students must be 15 years old or older to take class.

Check the schedule for the most up-to-date class offerings and dates.

Schedule Link

SCHEDULE:

Class Series at Stomping Ground L.A. (SGLA Garage)

Saturday, October 4: Class with Jamila Glass | 10:30am - 12:00pm 

Saturday, November 29: NO CLASS

Please Note: Schedule & faculty subject to change.

All students are required to digitally sign two forms once a year before joining class. Signing these forms before you arrive will significantly decrease your check-in time. If you are new to class and aren't able to fill out these forms beforehand, I encourage you to arrive ten minutes early. As a reminder, these two forms are filled out once a year. Students 15-17 years old need a guardian's signature on their media release form.

Waiver Form 1

Waiver Form 2

The venue is Stomping Ground L.A. (SGLA), 5453 Alhambra Ave., Los Angeles, California 90032.  

As a general rule, I recommend arriving at least 15-minutes prior to the class start time.  If you are taking Community Class on Saturday mornings, arriving closer to 30 minutes before class will help with parking options.

Community Classes are located in the Garage studio. Other classes are located in the Warehouse studio (and on select days in the Garage studio).  If you're taking class in the Garage, please enter the studio from the parking lot through the single grey door near the grey rollup garage door.  If you're taking class in the Warehouse, please enter through the street level glass doors into the Lobby where you will check in. 

Studio photos courtesy of Stomping Ground L.A.

Parking Info: In consideration of their neighbors, please consider these free parking options first:

1. SGLA parking lot (Entry to the lot from the alley off of Bullard Ave. Limited spots available).

2. Parking on Alhambra Ave

3. Parking on areas of side streets that are not in front of homes. Please note the street cleaning signs on Bullard Avenue on Thursdays and Fridays.  (You will get a ticket.)

4. Pro Tip: If you're taking the Saturday morning class, we encourage you to arrive a little before 10am as you will have more parking options.

*Also, if there are trash cans out on the curb, please do not move them from their spots.

• Community Class Rates | (Open Level, including Beginners)

• 1.5 hour: $18

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• Community Class Card

• 3 Classes: $45 (save $9) | *Our most popular option 🔥

• 5 Classes: $70 (save $20)

• 10 Classes: $130 (save $50)

• Class Cards expire 12/31/25. Click the registration link to purchase Community Class Cards for 2025.

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• Be sure to check your spam folder for your receipt.  Email community@lacontemporarydance.org if you still can't find it.

• All classes must be pre-paid and are non-transferable and non-refundable.

The pay-what-you-can option is available year-round for anyone who needs it, ensuring access to our weekly classes regardless of financial circumstances.  

You can contribute to the pay-what-you-can option at the door when you check in.  No pre-registration is required—just show up, and I’ll welcome you.  I accept Credit, PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay for payment.  No cash accepted at this time.  

All students must fill out the required waivers (once per calendar year).  

Wherever you are, I hope to see you in the studio. 

If you've purchased a class card, there's no need to register in advance—just show up for class and provide your name at check-in. I’ll have your class card on file and will keep track of your attendance as well as how many classes you have remaining.  Be sure to fill out the required waivers (once per calendar year).  

You can digitally pay for class at the door before class begins, but I highly encourage you to pay beforehand to decrease your check-in time. I am currently unable to take cash as payment for class. Please contact me if you need additional assistance.

Classes must be pre-paid and are non-transferrable and non-refundable.

• Intermediate: Students are familiar with the movement style and seeking more slightly challenging material and how to improve their movement quality

• Advanced: Students have a strong grasp on the movement style and are prepared to learn at a fast pace.

• Open Level: Students develop their technique through learning basic foundational elements, heightening their sense of rhythm and musicality, and tapping into their own sense of expression.  All levels are welcome, including beginners trying contemporary dance for the first time. Come learn the fundamentals or brush up on your technique.  Modifications are suggested to make the phrase work easier or more challenging for each student.  

SGLA has a bottle filling station, so bring your favorite reusable water bottle for hydration. There are not water bottles for sale and I am unable to provide cups for the bottle filling station.

• You dance all the time at home and want a more communal experience.

• You love watching contemporary dance and have always wanted to try it.

• You studied dance as a child and are returning to dance.

• You've taken a few dance classes here and there as an adult and want to move your body more as a form of exercise.

• You want a refresher of the foundational elements of contemporary movement.

• You want the freedom to learn at a steadier pace than intermediate and advanced classes.

• You are searching for a reentry back into dance after a several years away.

• You are looking for ways to redefine your relationship to dance.

Those who…

• Have never stepped foot in a dance class before.

• Haven’t taken a dance class in 5-15 years.

• Are actors who want to feel more comfortable with movement.

• Want to reconnect with dance in a relaxed environment.

• Are active in the gym, but want to move in a different way.

• Are dance degree graduates looking for community.

• Are professional dancers wanting to slow down and be reminded of the fundamentals of technique.

• Are curious about contemporary dance.

• Are taking class for fun.

• Are moms, attorneys, video game designers, animators, visual artists, writers, producers, clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, licensed therapists, scientists, engineers, military veterans, medical students, literature professors, broadway performers, dance teachers, and more!

When you arrive, you will check-in with Jamila at the “front desk” (a table). If you haven’t already filled out the two waiver forms before arriving, you will fill them out before starting to dance. I encourage you to fill them out beforehand to significantly cut down on your check-in time.

Once checking in, you are free to enter the dance floor and warm up on your own and/or mingle with the other movers in the room. You will be led through a warmup (which may include progressions across the floor, improvisation, partnering, or floorwork) followed by a phrase (otherwise known as a “combination”). If you need to step to the side and take a break at any time to drink water, head to the restroom, breathe or pause to watch the movement, you are free to do so.  

I encourage active listening by keeping the side conversations to a minimum. I cultivate a supportive environment by encouraging all in the room to remain actively engaged in watching what is happening in front of them. That includes staying off phones unless there is an emergency. I welcome questions during class that may help you further understand the phrasework.

After learning the phrase, I usually cycle through several smaller groups doing the movement, giving students more room to dance.

Classes are taught on a marley-covered, sprung dance floor.

The Space in Between: Open Level.  This contemporary class at Stomping Ground L.A. combines elements of ballet, jazz, and modern technique with the intent on finding freedom through movement and musicality. Class will begin with a warmup focused on firing up the blood flow through our core while introducing key movement from the phrase work.  Discover how to tap into rhythm and how to efficiently fill up all the spaces in between from moment to moment. 

You do not have to be a professional dancer to take our classes.  Be sure to read the class description to decide which class is the best fit for you.

While cameras are a powerful tool, I believe in the importance of learning and growing in private—free from the pressure to be perfect or to master the movement immediately.

I may choose to use only the last 15 minutes of class to film groups. If I choose to film, there will always be a group that movers can opt into that isn’t filmed. Please refrain from setting up your own phones to film or asking your fellow classmates to film you without my permission.

There is no specific dress code for class. I encourage students to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing they can move in, like sweats, tanks, tees or leggings. Socks are optional, depending on the style. For certain classes, I may request students to remove their socks.  I encourage you to bring a pair of socks and have them on standby, if needed.

You’re such a great teacher. Thank you for you kindness and your patience. -Student, Community Class

I left smiling. -Student, Community Class

It's fun to have a safe space to be a beginner dancer as an adult. -Student, Community Class

Thank you for the grooves, guidance, lessons, and fun. -Maze Felix, Community Class

I had so much fun! -Student, Community Class

[This class] grants me an opportunity to take class in a different movement style and reorient my relationship to dance as a community oriented one, instead of strictly a training or networking or competitive one. -Alexis Martin, Community Class

I went with a friend and we had a blast! I haven’t danced in over a year but I missed it badly so this looked like an excellent opportunity to try dancing again. It was a really awesome class with Jamila Glass. She was such a great teacher and made it a really fun, happy, no pressure environment to learn! I had such a good time, and even heard some new songs so I would love to take again! -Parker Madlock, Community Class

I grew up in a ballet studio space, and even into adulthood I find myself scared to ask questions and fearful of judgment. But I took a class with a group of older women who came together, encouraged one another and took every unfamiliar movement in stride. And they asked great questions for clarity! Somehow this shifted my perspective and attitude towards taking adult classes and made me remember and reconsider why I am still trying to dance myself. Not to compete for acknowledgement, but to enjoy myself and to understand and reconnect with my mind and body.  -Alexis Martin, Community Class 

Contact community@lacontemporarydance.org