The Story of Sparrow Song & Dance: Where Imagination, Expression, and Growth Take Flight
Sparrow Song & Dance was founded to share the joy, creativity, and transformative power of the arts with young children throughout the community. Our mission is rooted in three guiding principles—imagine, express, and do your best!—which help children develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning.
Founder Renee Newman, a performer with a teaching background in special education, saw firsthand how music and dance could deeply impact learning. Throughout her 30 years as a teacher, she discovered how songs, as mnemonic devices, could help children remember complex ideas and make challenging concepts accessible. She also saw how dancing and movement engaged students who learned best while active, enabling them to internalize new skills and connect with material in unique ways. These insights convinced Renee that the arts could be a powerful ally in developing children’s minds, and she wanted to extend these benefits beyond the classroom.
Inspired by these realizations, Renee created Sparrow Song & Dance to give children a nurturing environment to explore music, movement, and self-expression. She soon brought on her daughter, Malaika, to help develop a vibrant program that’s as seamless and engaging for families as it is beneficial for young students.
Today, Sparrow Song & Dance is a growing community where children are encouraged to explore their imaginations, discover joy in self-expression, and take pride in doing their best. Through music, dance, and creative play, we’re helping young minds and bodies grow stronger, more resilient, and better equipped for a lifetime of curiosity, confidence, and learning.
Meet the Teachers!
Ms. Renee’s Bio
– Lead Music & Dance Teacher
(Renee Newman, Founder | Program Director)
Renee’s journey in the arts began with her love and fascination for music, dance, and theater, which led her to become a singer, dancer, and actress. After earning her degree in music from Howard University, she toured internationally with Spider Woman Theater and went on to start her own youth performing arts school in New York City.
As she continued her career, Renee founded and taught dance at The Saturday Club, a summer camp in DC, and directed youth choirs, inspiring children to embrace their talents. Later, while raising her own family, she started teaching special education and nurtured her children’s musical talents, fostering a home full of music, creativity, and expression.
With decades of teaching experience, Renee brings her passion for the arts and her belief in each child’s unique potential to Sparrow Song & Dance, where her goal is to give young children the same joy, confidence, and creativity the arts have brought to her life.
Ms. Malaika’s Bio
– Assistant Music & Dance Teacher
(Malaika Newman-Vassighi | Marketing & Enrollment Manager)
Malaika’s journey with the arts began early, as she explored ballet, gymnastics, musical theater, a-capella groups, and performing as a singer-songwriter.
Growing up with a natural shyness, she found that the arts gave her a way to build confidence, step out of her comfort zone, and discover her own voice.
With a background in marketing, Malaika brings her creative energy and experience in both performance and communication to Sparrow Song & Dance, ensuring that each family enjoys a smooth, engaging experience from the moment they join.
Her commitment is to help young children experience the same joy and growth through the arts that she discovered in her own childhood.