The Dance Theatre of Harlem is kicking off its spring season with a bang. The venerable New York institution teamed up with singer India.Arie to create High Above, a short film about the power of representation in dance. 

Written by Charlie Sohne and directed by Daniel Schloss, the short features an original song by Grammy-winning artist India.Arie and shows a little Black girl whose world magically opens up once she attends a Dance Theatre of Harlem performance. Although she’s coping with the death of her grandmother, the girl finds inspiration–and healing–after seeing beautiful Black dancers of all hues on the stage. And after she meets the company’s prima ballerina, the little girl is determined to become a dancer, too.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem was founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook. Since the beginning, the company’s mission has been to work within the community and inspire young people to pursue dance. In addition to offering classes and outreach programs, the company is one of the most popular and celebrated ballet organizations in the world.

The year it will premiere four new performances during its upcoming New York City premiere.

To find out more information visit the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s website, here.