Northwest Tap Connection, a social-justice-oriented dance studio, celebrated National Tap Dance Day in collaboration with the Seattle Gullah Geechee Festival.

The event was funded in part by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and coincided with the rollout of Shaina’s Garden, a health, nutrition and fitness program for children ages 1 to 6, says Melba Ayco, the founder and artistic director for Northwest Tap Connection.

Ayco, who is Gullah Geechee and the chair of the Seattle Gullah Geechee Festival, said she started Shaina’s Garden at Northwest Tap Connection to offset diabetes in young children. She was given the book “Shaina’s Garden” after talking about the idea for the program.

“Gardening is very therapeutic for young children,” says Ayco. “I found that as a small child growing up, the garden was a place of serenity for me.” Ayco also has a daughter named Shaina.