ArtSpireVA Marks 10th Anniversary of Celebrating the Arts

Alexandria, VA – ArtSpireVA turns 10 this year. Founder Gennifer Difilippo is celebrating the occasion on August 16 with a luminous evening to shine light on everyone in the ArtSpireVA community who “helped uplift young artists and expand access to the arts.”

The seed for ArtSpireVA was planted years ago. Difilippo was a pre-school and then high school dance teacher in Alexandria, devoted to introducing children to the beauty and fulfillment of dancing, rehearsing, and performing. After a few years, she was dismayed by some students’ lack of access to dance and performing opportunities, chagrined to see them fade away from the art.

Recognizing the need for children to perform and express themselves artistically, Difilippo founded ArtSpireVA in 2015 as a resource to raise funds for dance scholarships. ArtSpireVA dancers also performed at benefits for worthwhile causes and raised money for those in need. Over the years, the nonprofit’s charter widened to include scholarships in music, theater, and visual arts. More than 500 students have been awarded scholarships since ArtSpireVA’s founding. In 2024 alone, ArtSpireVA awarded $30,000.

As much as ArtSpireVA supports the community, it’s the community that keeps the wheels turning. A cadre of volunteers and board members have helped Difilippo realize her vision over the years, as well as the dancers and artists and their families. Difilippo has also partnered with local studios and teachers, such as Rebecca Walker, owner of Just Dance studio in Alexandria.

Walker said, “ArtSpireVA has supported countless dancers in weekly technique classes, competitions, workshops, and recital performances. Students continue giving back by participating in the fundraisers and performing for various events, so they keep the cycle of giving help to those in need! It is an invaluable resource for the community and we are so fortunate to be a part of something so special!”

The families of ArtSpireVA share that sentiment. Dancer Ella Sessine is grateful she was able to have both performance and choreographic opportunities. She said, “It’s fulfilling knowing that I got to express myself while giving back to the community.” Her mother, Carrie Sessine, loves how much they build camaraderie and connection. “Gen built a program that brings people together and fosters love and appreciation for the arts. That doesn’t happen often enough and it’s a gift to our region.”

As the nonprofit celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the team is looking forward. They want to expand The Purple Tutu, which offers free ballet classes for children with Down syndrome. Erica Kraft’s daughter Elsie is in the program. She said, “The Purple Tutu teachers are amazing leaders who help my daughter Elsie and her friends improve their ballet strength and skills each year as well as give them opportunities to perform on stage with beautiful confidence.”

Difilippo said, “We believe now more than ever, with all the budget cuts for the arts and education, that the work we do is vital to keep arts alive in youth and to give them these opportunities. We also are receiving a record high of requests for the new year of scholarships.”

This compassion for the community is what sets ArtSpireVA apart. Leading by example, Difilippo tells her dancers they are making a huge difference in this world. And they get it.

As longtime ArtSpire dancer and now West Potomac High School Dance Team member Sydney Kopple said, “Through ArtSpire, I learned that it is not all about the dancing, but how it brings the community together.”

ArtSpireVA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in Alexandria, VA. If you’d like to donate to its worthy cause or learn more, visit https://www.artspireva.com/