DANCING DREAMS

Dancing Dreams strives to allow children with physical challenges the chance to dance within their unique capabilities , giving them the chance to shine onstage and participate in an activity which would be precluded by their challenges.

Dancing Dreams endeavors to allow teens to improve leadership skills and self esteem through a volunteer experience.

Dance classes are taught by physical therapists with each dancer also assigned a 1:1 teen Helper, thus allowing each dancer to have activities adapted to meet their individual needs and ensure the chance for each dancer to participate to their fullest capability. While students are in class, parents participate in workshops to provide information on topics of interest such as services and programs available to those with special needs.

Extra activities such as a trip to a NYC Ballet performance, professional sports events and an adaptive ski trip provide further opportunities to families who might not have the ability to access these activities without assistance.

Teens participate in a structured Leadership Program with training and workshops designed to teach and enhance leadership skills , tolerance and self esteem.

Each class has a teacher and assistant teacher who are physical therapists, thus qualified to adapt activities as needed for each dancer based on their challenges.

A Leadership Program Coordinator oversees the teen volunteer program and designs workshops and activities to facilitate program goals.

Dancing Dreams has grown from the original 5 dancers to the current 130+ dancers and 180+ teen volunteers. Classes have increased one class at a single site to nine weekly with an increase over three sites. The Year End Performance is routinely attended by over 1300 guests.
Dancing Dreams hopes to continue to expand both in additional locations and number of classes offered weekly.