About Our Studio

Welcome and Thank You for your interest in Groove Nation Academy, the EXCEPTIONAL training ground for dancers, with an EXTRAORDINARY reputation. We offer unsurpassed dance instruction in a nurturing environment where the dancer can excel—both in dance technique and confidence. Groove Nation’s goal is to become Portland and Vancouver’s PREMIER center for the performing arts—offering training of dance, music and theater production.  Thank you for choosing Groove Nation and let us know what we can do to make your time with us EXTRAORDINARY!

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Our Faculty

Comprised of more than 12 professionals, our faculty is fully committed to your development and training. You are sure to find a favorite teacher in this diverse group! Our teachers work professionally in various aspects of their field and bring their expertise and knowledge into the classroom.  Information on each teacher is displayed on our instructor page; click ”instructors” to read their bios.

Our Staff

All members of our staff work as a team to ensure the studio is run in a highly efficient and well-organized manner. From program administrators to event coordinators, GN employs only dedicated individuals who love what they do, and whose primary goal is to support our growth and vitality.

Our  Directors

Creative Director and Groove Nation founder, Beau Sem. Photo by © Randy Kepple Photographs

Groove Nation was developed out of the passion that Beau and Rose Sem (founders) had to offer youth a positive outlet of expression, through the means of  clean  hip hop, to the city of Vancouver, WA, back in 2003.  Together, they operate  in their giftings serving Groove Nation and the vision that God put in their hearts, and have now inspired many to do the same.

Beau is an award-winning choreographer, creative director and a sought-after dance coach. With over 20 years of hip hop dance experience, Beau has become a teacher to the teachers. His style is always “fresh” and on the “cutting-edge”, excluding the negative aspects hip hop, while including an outpouring of positive influence into the kids.  Those within the business consider him one of the best that the industry has to offer.  He has worked with celebrity choreographers (Shane Sparks “So you think you can Dance” and Kennis Marquis (“Honey” and “You Got Served”) as well as underground choreographers, Shaun Evaristo from GEN 2 and Phil Tayag from Jabbawockeez to name a few.  His training has helped many dancers find jobs in the entertainment industry, as well as find passion for the performing arts. He is invited to do Master Workshops all over the U.S as well as outside of the country. Although his credentials are inspiring, his main passion is, inspiring young people to reach their goals while walking a life of purpose and no compromise.

Our Non-Profit Dance Company

New Groove Performing Arts (the performance company branch of Groove Nation) is a non-profit organization committed to cultivating and enriching the lives of youth in our community. We use their passion for the arts as a “vehicle” to reaching the youth and inspiring them to aim for their goals in life. Since the #1 influence in our culture is our entertainment industry, kids are learning behaviors and beliefs that are detrimental to lives. According to most sociologists, the decline of morality, ethical behavior and value-driven lifestyles is at an all-time high because of the absence of a positive and wholesome voice in this industry. Groove Nation’s response to this challenge is based on extensive research, which concludes that children involved in the arts: • Consistently outscore those with low exposure to the arts. • Are 25% more likely to feel satisfied with themselves and eight times more likely to win awards for academic achievement over those students who are involved in sports, academic activities and community service programs • Are 31% more likely to continue education after high school • Tend to have better coordination, mental concentration and memory. • Are better citizens (confident, considerate pro-social, and pro-civic).