Using Dance to Create Unity

In our communities in America as a whole, I see a lack in emphasis on artistic expression and education. This is surprising because art is something that has the universal ability to connect everyone. As a lifelong dancer, I have been able to connect with thousands of people over the course of the past sixteen years through dance. Dance is so special because you do not need to speak the same language as someone to be able to share a story through dance. However, while dance studio culture is alive and well in America (i.e, Dance Moms), dance studios have a long history of exclusion. The sad truth is dance studios can be a cesspool for favoritism, bullying, and exclusionary practices towards potential students with disabilities. It also does not help that the loud music, bright flashing lights, and itchy costumes and makeup come with the price of tuition. Right away, turning away any child with sensory, audio, or hearing disabilities. This is why my dream would be to create a dance class designed for children of all backgrounds and abilities. An affordable, and supportive environment for all students who just want to be able to dance.

The program I am proposing would be a four week dance program, ideally funded by a local school or community center. This program would be a dance class taught by a team of dance teachers in order to give students the attention they need. The end goal is to teach the students the basics of dance. This would start as a beginner ballet class, if there is still interest after the first session perhaps an intermediate program could be arranged. After four weeks of classes twice a week, the students will put on a performance for their families and other community members. This performance will not have bright, harsh stage lights, or music with loud noises or weird sounds. The costuming will consist of cotton pants and a shirt that the students can accessorize as much or as little as they wish. Makeup would not be required, and everyone gets their own ballet slippers (ideally donated by local studios and dance supplies stores.) The classes would be designed so that anyone could take it, all are welcome regardless of income, physical, or mental ability. Along with participating in typical ballet class protocol like barre, center warm up, and across the floor. Dancers will also engage in ballet games to socialize with one another, and hopefully build friendships along the way.

There are actually many cases for the use of dance therapy among people with disabilities. Not only does dancing help the dancer become aware of their mind and body, it’s also a fun way to get endorphins flowing through their body. According to Psychology Today,

“. . .dance/movement therapy (DMT) in the US is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance to support intellectual, emotional, and motor functions of the body. As a form of expressive therapy, DMT looks at the correlation between movement and emotion” (Geissner). There is also no correct way to do DMT. As long as the person is moving in a safe way for their body, dance therapy can take on many forms. It can be as simple as a movement workshop, or as technical as a ballet or jazz class. The point is to find a style that works for the person and run with it. Dance enriches so many dancer’s lives around the globe. The fact that the dance community has largely excluded people with disabilities is shameful - we always talk about sharing the gift of dance with everyone, why do we only do this when convenient for us?

Students with disabilities in my program will obviously be treated the same as all of the other dancers in the program. There have been programs around the country that provide classes for students with disabilities. One program that has really stuck with me, and served as the main inspiration behind my program is the New York City Ballet’s classes for students with cerebral palsy. The mother of a child treated at the Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center wrote a letter to the NYC Ballet expressing the lack of activities available for kids with cerebral palsy. Additionally, all of the programs required the parents to do with the children, and she just wanted her daughter to have something that was all her own (Brett). This prompted the NYC Ballet to work with Cerebral Palsy experts Dr. David Roy, and Dr. Joseph Dutkowsky to develop a class where kids with this disability could dance, without their braces, unassisted by their parents. (Brett). Throughout the weeks long program, the parents were able to sit and watch as principal dancers in the company taught their children ballet. Not restrained by braces, and some in wheelchairs dancing in a safe space. I would highly recommend looking up the video on YouTube, I’ve never seen kids so happy to dance. This is the kind of joy I want to bring to communities of children who don’t have the luxury of living in New York City, with principal dancers in their backyard.

Obviously, I am taking some inspiration from this fantastic program at the NYC Ballet. However, I am making a few key changes for my model to have a universal design. My dance class is not just for children with cerebral palsy. It is for all children. This means that we accommodate children who use assistive technology like wheelchairs or crutches. This also means that we support and encourage students to dance without the use of braces or supports if they so choose. The point of dance is to become connected with your own body on a deeper level. If a student wants to ditch the braces for a class, this community celebrates that. By having more than one dance instructor, and parental observers at all time, this ensures the safety of the student. For students who may have sensory issues we will provide soft, relaxing music, and lighting. Dancers with hearing impairments will always have visual demonstrations of steps provided for them. Conversely, dancers with visual impairments will always be given specific instructions on the movement. The final performance will include all of the dancers.

I have really tried to cover all of the needs I think my potential dancers may have. However, I know how important it is to be ready for anything. The staff I hire would have to have some type of special education background. For the safety of our students at all time, this piece is key. The overall mission for this program is to share the gift of dance with children who may not have been able to experience it in the traditional way. To share in the joy of moving together is an indescribable feeling. I want to be able to share the gift of dance with every student, as it has given me so much in the past sixteen years of my life.

References

Gleissner, G. (2017, April 12). What Is Dance Movement Therapy? Retrieved November 29, 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/hope-eating-disorder-recovery/201704/what-is-dance-movement-therapy

Brett. (2015, July 7). NYC Ballet & Weinberg Family CP Center Team Up for Workshops. Retrieved November 29, 2018, from https://weinbergcpcenter.org/nyc-ballet-weinberg-family-cp-center/