Shout-out to 318 Forum Magazine! We appreciate you highlighting our mission at this year’s ArtBreak Festival.
Originally posted TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2024
TRUE MISSION MATTERS
BY 318 Forum
YOU GOT RHYTHM, YOU CAN SING, YOU’VE GOT A VOICE —EXPRESS YOURSELF!
The founders of ArtBreak have believed since the first festival in 1984 that the lives of students could be improved through the Arts—visual, literary, performance, film, culinary, fashion and more. It’s a belief shared in the founding principles of (TMM), Louisiana’s premier performing Arts in Education collective and the star attraction on the McDonald’s Gilley stage throughout the week of ArtBreak 38. TMM is on a mission to improve the lives of today’s youth by promoting positive youth development through dance, speaking, and more.
TMM was started by Acadiana native Terrance Michael Morgan to encourage self-expression and creativity. The TMM Project artists have reached 750,000 students since 2021 and millions over the past decade performing interactive programs that feature a live DJ and saxophonist. These performers creatively combine upbeat musical instruments such as the bass drum, Cajun drum, and tongue drum with unique street dance styles including waving, breaking, house, and step-dancing to inspire children to explore their creativity and talent and to foster a sense of confidence and enthusiasm for artistic expression.
“We are extremely honored that we were chosen to headline this year’s ArtBreak Festival,” says Morgan. “We will be performing our Get H.Y.P.E. - How You Prepare Everyday program. We’ll be using live music, Dj, and dance to get everyone hyped up for ArtBreak.”
Founder Morgan is a self-taught dancer doing mostly free-style (Improvisation) where he was introduced to hip hop dance style of B-Boying. This led to him becoming a member of local dance groups around the community. His Parc Jam at Festival de International in Lafayette, LA has become an internationally known event. Morgan was a featured headliner on the Children’s Stage at New Orleans’ Jazz Fest. He has appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance, and has performed live at the infamous Apollo Theatre in New York City. He was awarded the Louisiana Volunteer Service Award by Louisiana’s Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser in 2019.
“We are extremely honored that we were chosen to headline this year’s ArtBreak Festival,” says Morgan. “We will be performing our Get H.Y.P.E. - How You Prepare Everyday program. We’ll be using live music, DJ, and dance to get everyone hyped up for ArtBreak.”
TMM will perform for 2nd & 3rd grade students on the McDonald Gilley stage throughout the week and for ArtBreak Family Festival on Friday and Saturday.
