Who We Are
We aim to make change with our work. Create conversation. Inspire someone to dig deeper. Explore something they may not have considered before.
As parents, we are always conscious of our impact on the next generation. We encourage pushing the envelope and taking responsibility for your actions.
Co-founders & co-directors
Chris and Ama Law
Born and raised in the DMV metropolitan area, Ama and Chris Law are co-founders and co-directors of Project ChArma who have been dancing together since high school. Combined, their expertise reflects the expanse of their training in a wide range of movement styles and foundations. Both Ama and Chris completed undergraduate and graduate studies from the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP), both receiving MFAs in Dance and Choreography. Ama has decades-long training with Kankouran West African Dance Company (of which both of her parents were founding members) and completed a rigorous internship at Broadway Dance Center. Chris’ movement practice is based on principles of hip hop, roller skating, martial arts and modern dance technique. They both dedicate their careers to the creative possibilities of intersecting dance traditions to facilitate important conversations about social change. They have taught and choreographed at various institutions including the Kennedy Center, Dance Place, Howard University, UMCP, American University, Howard Community College and Bates Dance Festival.
Together, the Laws create work as Project ChArma, a project-based dance theater company dedicated to using art as activism; pronounced “karma” because it guides their lives. In 2023, Project ChArma helped to curate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop themed National Dance Day at the Kennedy Center, and is involved with this event annually. The company also received the Local Dance Commissioning Fund in 2024 where they presented the world premiere of Chronicles of Nina… What now? in the Terrace Theatre.
As devoted teachers and students of their craft, their extensive knowledge of West African dance, martial arts, vogue, modern dance, hip hop, and self-taught urban movement, uniquely allow them to guide diverse students and audience members through a combination of different movement forms. They are alumni of Dynamic Hip Hop Dance Team, Culture Shock DC and have showcased their work at cyphers, pop-up performances and creative concept videos in the DMV area. They hope to continue their quest as teaching artists by providing inspiration for future generations of dancers to become fierce and community-engaged individuals.
