Jessica Marks, Director of Workspace Solutions at Metro Offices and CDP board member (left), with fellow board member and events co-chair, Reina Brekke.
Before the artists take the stage and even before practice begins in the studio, Chamber Dance Project (CDP) is busy at work in the boardroom. CDP, a DC-based company of professional artists that pair contemporary ballet with live music, is on the brink of its second season. At Metro Offices, CDP is meeting, planning and finalizing the details for its upcoming season. Metro Offices is proud to be a founding corporate sponsor of the Project. “Metro Offices provides a productive and inspiring atmosphere allowing the artistic mind to work peaceful and creatively,” says Diane Coburn Burning, Artistic Director. “For us, it’s more than an office or meeting space in Washington, DC. We feel so supported here.”
Jessica Marks, Director of Workspace Solutions at Metro Offices and a CDP board member, explains how this wonderful partnership began. “Diane was looking for a home base and a DC presence, so Metro Offices seemed like the perfect fit. We could provide her with a prestigious address for handling all her mail, and a professional staff to answer and screen calls and welcome guests to our space for meetings.”
Originally, Diane met with Kelly Bedsole, Metro Offices’ Vice President of Sales, and the two women immediately hit it off. Soon after, Kelly was asked to join the CDP board and did so for one year. It was the group’s first year in DC, and Metro Offices was excited to provide a venue for the first CDP “Tango with the Stars,” held in the beautiful atrium space of our Metro Center location on April 10, 2014. The gala evening supported CDP’s Kennedy Center debut on June 26.
“Around that time, I had the pleasure of meeting Diane and she was generous enough to invite our staff and clients to come to BalletNova for an exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peak of what was to come at the Kennedy Center,” says Jessica. “My mother was a ballerina and I had taken Flamenco dance as a young girl, so I was intrigued and decided to attend. I was captured by not only the raw talent and modern twist, but even more so by the way Diane engaged us as an audience. I felt part of the production and it was very inclusive and fascinating.
“As Kelly’s schedule no longer permitted her to be a member of the board, I was asked by our CEO, Kathlene Buchanan, if I would like to take her place. I joined the board in May 2014 and have been a very active member since – particularly focusing on developing interest and participation among DC’s young professionals. I also oversee the Friends of Chamber Dance Project, a new organization started by three women who love the arts. I have found CDP to be a special and wonderful addition to the DC scene, and seek to promote active participation that engages our community.”
“We are thrilled at Metro Offices to help promote CDP as we feel it’s a benefit to our clients to have the opportunity to partake in special and meaningful events, as well as for our City as a whole to have top-notch quality artists performing locally,” says Jessica.
Metro Offices looks forward to our continued partnership with Chamber Dance Project, and sends best wishes for a wonderful 2015 season!