SHE MOVES
3400 Main Street, Houston TX 77002
Event Schedule
March 14 | Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
She Moves is an evening dedicated to celebrating women whose work has shaped dance education through teaching, performance, and leadership. Presented by Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater (SMCDT) during Women’s History Month, this year’s program honors Sanja (Sanya) Korman for her lasting contributions to the development and leadership of PK through 12 public dance education within the Houston Independent School District.
The event brings together artists, educators, students, and community members to reflect on how women have shaped and continue to shape the future of dance education. Through live performance and facilitated conversation, She Moves creates space for reflection, dialogue, and connection.
The evening culminates in a concert featuring performances by Social Movement Contemporary Dance Theater, highlighting works by female choreographers Abby Williams Chin and Yu-Ling Yeh from the company’s current season. The program also includes performances by surprise guest artists celebrating Sanja’s contributions to dance education across Houston ISD.
Sanja
(Sanya)
Korman
Sanja (Sanya) Korman is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of the arts, a nationally recognized dance educator, and a leader dedicated to inspiring creativity, curiosity, and innovation in every student.
As the Fine Arts Dance Coordinator for Houston ISD, Sanya leads and supports PK–12 dance education through comprehensive curriculum development, instructional coaching, professional learning design, and districtwide program implementation. She oversees all major dance initiatives—festivals, showcases, film projects, mentorship programs, and special events—ensuring that students across Houston have meaningful opportunities to perform, choreograph, and express themselves.
A champion for equitable access to dance education, Sanya plays an active role in shaping dance standards and policy at the state level. She served as a Texas Education Agency appointee to revise state dance standards, contributed to the development and implementation of Grades 6–8 TEKS for Dance, and currently leads the innovation of elementary dance curriculum and standards in Houston ISD, an especially critical effort in a state without K–5 dance certification. Additionally, she has served multiple terms on committees revising the acceptable fine arts standards for elementary classroom teacher certification as well as the 6–12 Dance certification exam frameworks, helping ensure rigorous and relevant expectations for future educators.
Sanya’s leadership is grounded in the belief that every individual possesses unique talents. Through her work, she builds systems, platforms, and learning environments that empower students to discover their voice, collaborate with purpose, and develop the confidence to lead with creativity in an ever-changing world.
She holds a BS in Kinesiology from the University of Sarajevo and a Master’s in Education, Curriculum & Instruction from Concordia University Texas. Her achievements include recognitions as a National Dance Educator by the National Dance Association and Dance Magazine, multiple state and regional awards, and a recent nomination for the NDEO Outstanding Leadership Award in K–12. Sanya continues to serve professional organizations as a presenter, advocate, and leader—always championing dance and the arts as catalysts for growth, possibility, and lifelong learning.
