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Self-expression is an important part of life for everyone and finding a place where you feel safe and happy to express yourself can often be hard for young people but not at Des Moines’ extraordinarily successful dance school, Des Moines Breakerz (Breakerz). 

From humble beginnings, Breakerz has been working for years to foster a caring, fun and competitive environment for everyone. Breakerz’s dedication to the craft of breakdancing has led to some incredible achievements, but most memorable of all would be when they were invited to perform at the White House. 

Breakerz are in east Des Moines and have successfully grown their program from a small grassroots movement to a respected name across the metro. They aim to reach and engage as many young people in the Des Moines area as possible. Tammra Swartwood is the Director of Breakerz. She recognizes young people need an outlet and a place to hang out and have fun.  

“Breakdancing is a cultural art form, and we want to show the kids of Des Moines that they can have fun while doing something they are passionate about,” Swartwood said. 

Breakerz has grown in popularity from its early days and now has a presence in over twenty school programs to engage as many young people as they can.  

“Breakdancing is a thrilling and bold way to express yourself and we love to see our young people performing all over Des Moines,” Swartwood said.  

Breakerz isn’t just an average dance studio, they aim to get young dancers involved in all aspects of the community including performing at many festivals and events throughout the year. Swartwood has her finger on the pulse when it comes to young people and dance. She is excited about the future of the Breakerz, hoping to expand on the programs they offer into areas of block parties and events that expose everyone to the art of break dancing. As an enthusiastic performer and instructor, Swartwood loves seeing the confidence of kids grow as they progress through the dance program.  

“Giving young people the confidence to perform and be themselves in front of others is everything,” Swartwood said. 

Breakerz display their passion for the sport by competing in dance battles, an intense competition between two teams, judged based on their technique and skill to determine the winner. These competitions bring out the best in the dancers and allow them to pursue their passion at an elevated level. 

“We strive to inspire confidence in the youth, promote physical and mental health, facilitate creative expression and provide an enthusiastic outlet for the community,” Swartwood said.  

Breakerz does not stop at just break dancing. The program strives to inspire youth through other activities such as boxing, karate and special events at schools. Swartwood’s dedication to the program and community goes above and beyond in many ways. Swartwood does not see herself as just a dance instructor: She loves helping the students in many ways, whether it is organizing photographers for senior day photos or giving students driving lessons, she is fully committed to bringing out the best in her students and seeing them thrive. 

“The Breakerz focus is on building communities, including a real emphasis on pursuing your passion here and now but also beyond your high school years, we love supporting past students to become instructors themselves and share the love of dance and community as they get older,” Swartwood said.  

It is clear that Breakerz is no ordinary dance school. It is a community for every young person to come along and learn a new skill and feel safe and welcome.