(dramatic music) - I'm Stephen Hegg, in the Crosscut KCTS9 Newsroom Dance Church is about more than movement for many of its attendees, it's about creating communities.

The Seattle-based dance exercise program attracts a devoted following that organizers hope to build on as it expands across the country.

It was one of the few arts groups to have a successful COVID story.

After pivoting to livestream classes the audience tripled now with an infusion of venture capital and a demand for classes that emphasize fun over technique.

Dance Church is becoming a business that engages the public and provides living wages for staff.

Founder Kate Wallich hired professional dancers to teach in an effort to provide them a steady income in a difficult arts economy.

Now she's launched a nationwide campaign to recruit new dance teachers.

For Wallich this is key, supporting dance artists in a field that's often underfunded.

I'm Stephen Hegg.

Find nonprofit Northwest News every day on Crosscut.com.

(dramatic music)