Building inclusive communities through dance!
At The Dance Ability Movement, we go way beyond offering dance classes. We build inclusive communities through dance. Dance that is done differently, showing that different can mean better, not less! The Dance Workshop in Alliston is a great example of how parents, dancers, teachers, OTs, volunteers, and the studio owner have come together to help us build an incredible dance community that welcomes everybody with open arms. "Dance Done Differently" was the studio slogan that Colleen, the studio owner, chose when opening The Dance Workshop five years ago. “The first time we met Colleen, we knew we wanted to [...]
Congratulations to Dylan Abbott, our Volunteer of the Month for January!
When Dylan first joined our teen hip hop class, his passion for music and movement was clear. As a student, he is eager to learn choreography and perform with others. Dylan quickly took on the role of welcoming new dancers to the group and breaking down new moves for them. Helping new dancers was something so natural for Dylan that he asked us to join our volunteer team in Alliston. Dylan quickly connected with his dance buddy who looks up to him as a dancer role model in the studio. It is awesome to see them laughing and busting-a-move throughout [...]
Join our Dance Ability Movement classes at the Creative Children’s Dance Centre in Toronto and find your inner dancer!
We are so happy with the successful start-up of our dance program at the Creative Children’s Centre (CCDC) in Toronto this season! We can’t wait to see our community at the CCDC continue to grow as we start a new session on February 2nd! “Watching this new studio location start-up was a dream come true for me “, says Jade Ryan, The Dance Ability Movement Director of Inclusion & Operations. “They already have such an inclusion mindset, so it was a natural fit. Laurie Raymond, the Studio Owner, saw the value in this programming and generously provided the space and gave [...]
Dance and sports bring us together and allow our strengths and self-pride to shine!
The best way to create an inclusive environment is by bringing everyone together sharing a common ground! Thinking about that, Special Olympics Ontario organizes Sports Festivals where students with intellectual disabilities can experience different sports, dance and enjoy themselves. Emily Harris, our dance instructor at the June Lawrence School of Dance, and Dylan Abbott, a talented Dance Ability hip hop dancer and volunteer at the Dance Workshop, proudly represented The Dance Ability Movement at the Sports Festivals that took place in Toronto and York region last month. Together, they created an inclusive and fun environment and inspired kids to dance [...]
Congratulations to Sam Beswick, our Volunteer of the Month for September!
Sam is a returning volunteer and we greatly appreciate her long-term commitment! Sam has been a dedicated volunteer with the Dance Ability Movement, and her commitment and love for this experience are evident. Sam encourages her buddy each week to be the best version of themselves, always approaching each situation with kindness and grace. She continuously builds a strong relationship with her buddy and all the other dancers in class. Not only this, but Sam has great communication with other volunteers, the OT and the dance teacher. Her genuine character and welcoming personality strengthen our team. We are so lucky [...]
Everybody can experience the joy of dance!
“My daughter Madison loves dance and music. Since she was a baby, it was the one thing that I could count on keeping her engaged. Madison always wanted to join her sister in dance classes, but sadly we could not find a dance school that was willing to accommodate her. When we found The Dance Ability Movement, we were thrilled! For Madison, being a part of this wonderful dance community means inclusion, comradery, friendship, pride, freedom, independence, confidence, and most of all joy. Now, she can go on stage as part of the recital just like both of her sisters!” [...]