Digital Vibez’s tenth anniversary “Jamathon” this summer was a smashing success. For the past ten years, Digital Vibez has brought students together to dance the day away led by a team of incredibly dedicated and talented dancers. Teams of students choreograph and perform dances to enter into the annual dance competition. This year, the kids got a big surprise in the form of guest judge, pop singer Natasha Bedingfield. Bedingfield’s involvement in the project illustrates the impact that passionate artists bring to the nonprofit community and the clients they serve.
Social media platform “TikTok” has the capability to reach millions worldwide. Users post short video clips of everything from cute babies, sorority recruitment weeks and pets to catchy dances that soon go viral. That’s what happened this summer with Digital Vibez’s Rony Michel’s dance to Bedingfield’s 2004 hit “Unwritten.” Within days, the dance Michel posted had garnered millions of views and attracted the attention of Bedingfield herself. Michel sent Bedingfield a message offering to teach her the dance and make another video. The two chatted over Zoom and Bedingfield fell in love with Digital Vibez’s mission to combat childhood obesity through dance fitness. She quickly committed to serve as a guest judge at the Jamathon.
Digital Vibez’s Executive Director, Wil Romelus, knows that kids have dealt with a lot over the past two years – COVID, social injustice, isolation, and the loss of family and friends. He states that “the KidsFit Jamathon is a great opportunity to give kids a positive dance fitness concert experience. Most of these kids would not have the opportunity to experience a real concert so this is our chance to give them a great experience while getting their bodies moving.” Romelus’ hope is that Bedingfield’s involvement with the Jamathon raises awareness of Digital Vibez’ work in the community, enabling them to reach even more kids over the next ten years.