What people are saying about DREAM . . .

"In these times, young people are hungry for the integrity, humanity and spiritual connection that is lacking in the world around them. DREAM creates a strong link for people to remember their connection to their ancestors and recreate a responsible mindful way of being for generations to come. Our future looks hopeful!" - Lakota Harden, Native American dancer and activist "DREAM brought so much life and energy to our event! The audience was out of their seats and couldn't get enough!" - Marika Holmgren, President, Organic Events "DREAM's combination of music, dance, and the message of the night was awesome. My friends and I were out of our seats dancing and were completely bummed when the night came to an end!" - Ginger Jackson-Gleich, student, University High School "Poetry in motion and an inspiration!" - Micaya, Founder, San Francisco Hip Hop Dance Fest "The energy DREAM brings is beautiful. As a young dance company, they embody the spirit and potential of where Hip-Hop Dance Theater can go -- powerful work that combines social justice issues with a pure love for the culture. Respect." - Clyde Valentin, Producer, New York City Hip-Hop Theater Festival "Watching DREAM perform lifts the heart, inspires the soul and soothes the mind. The energy of these youth, in their multiple shapes, colors and forms, illuminates hope that together, our young people, represent what it means to create a better future for all." - Shakti Butler, Ph.D., President, World Trust Educational Services, Inc./ Director, The Way Home "Beyond my expectations ... DREAM addressed the allure of popular culture and how it challenges young people to make good decisions ... the ensemble brought together the message and beauty of the dance in a very powerful way. DREAM does an amazing job of bringing an important message to young people in a creative medium that they can relate to." - Charlotte Worsley, Dean of Students, The Urban School of San Francisco "DREAM performers express their vision with every word, song and movement. A celebration of life and a testimony to the power of art.” - Nicholas Kasimatis, Founder, PUNCH Gallery, San Francisco "DREAM's music and movement delivered a powerful message to our campus community that has left a sense of inspiration and passion!” - Tam Nguyen, Center for Multicultural Learning, Santa Clara University "I had DREAM open up for my one-woman stage-play 'Straight Black Folks Guide to Gay Black Folks' at the Black Box Theater in October 2002. My goodness, I simply asked them to warm up the stage not set it on fire!" - Hanifah Walidah, playwright, actress, MC "DREAM takes performance to the next level, through its innovation of different dance forms and sharp ability to articulate social concepts with movement and sound. DREAM performers have each made their distinct mark within the Bay Area dance community and we all watch closely to see the DREAM company take flight with purpose, force, grace and imagination." - Tina Bartolome, co-founder of Underground Railroad "I have passion in my soul for all forms of rhythm and movement and DREAM offered an adventure through culture, spirit and freedom that was truly refreshing." - Jessica Wolf, Lead Choreographer, "Beat Box: A Raparetta" "Vibrant ... insightful .... DREAM is a window into the multifaceted, extremely complex world faced by young people. Movement, music and memory - they use it all." -Elena Featherston, multicultural educator, writer and filmaker "DREAM is a model of community-based, multicultural, activist-oriented arts that is vital and empowering. I'm so excited about the work Naomi Bragin is now doing with DREAM - her artistic vision and creativity in the field of directing are wonderful!" - Aya de León, spoken word/hip hop theater artist "The DREAM Company materializes the potential of dance to inspire ancient emotions of worship, community and hope. Their balance of passion and precision is astounding!" - Jeff Harmon, Founder and President, Colorhythm LLC "They dominate!" - Culture Shock Dance Company, San Francisco

"DREAM takes the stage with lots of youthful energy - vibrant and honest in their skill and obvious love of hip hop." - Karen Brown, Artistic Director, Oakland Ballet "Cutting edge hip hop dance! DREAM is creative, high energy, and inspiring to watch." - Paul Kivel, author, teacher and cultural worker "DREAM's show was exactly what I requested; an effective interpretation of Martin Luther King's philosophy and the role of non-violence in the struggle for equality." - Jan Flemons, Cultural Arts Program Manager, City of Oakland "As a dancer I was inspired to see DREAM represent peace, love, and unity through performance art." - Mey Buena, student, University of California at Santa Cruz "After seeing DREAM at NACA, we knew they’d be a perfect closing to our Diverse Identities Week. The students are already asking when they’ll be back!" - Megan Howe, Director of Student Activities, Whittier College "DREAM's performance was outstanding! It was quite an unexpected pleaure to see such dedication to dance with a message!" - Jose Cuellar, Director, Ethnic Studies Department, San Francisco State University and Musical Director of Dr. Loco's Rockin' Jalapeño Band “It was the best performance that our school has had all year!” - Kristina Berman, student, Lick-Wilmerding School, San Francisco "The movements were well organized and versatile .... I'd love to dance for DREAM!" - Azhara Osborne, audience member, Oakland Black History Month Festival "Our students LOVED the performance -- fabulous moves, great energy, music and theatricality ... excellent message about the roots and sources of dance. Plus, Naomi taught Hip Hop to 85 students at once! Amazing!" - Carey Davis, Director, Presidio Hill School, San Francisco "Awesome ... Hip Hop incorporates other cultures and is much deeper than just a beat and dancing." - Ishan Verma, student, Sonoma Academy "I felt like dancing in my seat!" - Anahi Gallardo, student, Sonoma Academy "Stories expressed through dance ... DREAM inspired me to DANCE!" - Jessifer Lu, student, Santa Clara University "DREAM's show is an outstanding representation of the evolution of music and dance from the African and African American perspective." - Shelley Darensburg, Contract Compliance Officer, City of Oakland "Funny and artistic ... DREAM looked like they were having a ball." - Brenda Kou, Dean of Students, Lick-Wilmerding High School "DREAM's energy sprung from the heart, filling the room with enthusiasm & unity." - Tami Tang, student, University of California at Santa Cruz "The show fit so well with our conference theme and issues youth are thinking about ... DREAM got everyone on the edges of their seats and up on their feet, and all I heard after was how much folks had learned from DREAM." - Pei-Yee Woo, Program Coordinator, Bay Area Youth Quest 2004 "I've never seen anything as beautiful .... DREAM gave poetry to their movement and rang a bell us about our lives ... in class anyone can teach history, I know I’ll actually remember this ...." - Latisha Contreras, Presidio Hill School, San Francisco "The passion in the dance inspired the passion in my heart!" - Terry Edeli, Head, San Francisco School "DREAM will pull you in, first with the men- electric, exciting, accomplished performers- then with the substance of stories the company tells about life and community, and finally with the women’s exquisite movement. It is this last place, among the women, where DREAM truly finds new ground in Hip-Hop performance, weaving the mystery of dance and the female in ways not seen before." - Kim Cook, 2004 Vilar Fellow, Kennedy Center for Performing Arts "A great show! The audience here loved the presentation and especially loved DREAM's willingness to talk and dance after the show." - Janine Faust, Special Events, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater