LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Ballet is all about bringing dance to Louisville, all of Louisville. The Adaptive Dance Program helps do that by bringing dance classes to kids and adults who may not be your traditional dancer.
“We really look at it as everybody learns differently. You and I learn differently. So we want to make sure that we provide the information in dynamic ways,” said Molly Kays, Adaptive Dance Program manager.
The program partners with different organizations who work with students who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, have down syndrome, autism, and even seniors who may struggle with mobility.
Kays says she and her team tailor each class to the type of students involved.
“With this work they’re really benefiting and we’re instilling this new sense of confidence and pride that they can take out into the world that helps them better express themselves and better connect with people in everyday life,” said Kays.
“For me, dance has been therapeutic,” she continued. “It’s helped me through a lot of things in life and I love being able to share that with students.”
Debbie Woods with Heiser Hearing and Learning Academy agrees. These classes do more than just teach her students how to dance.
“What is going on upstairs is a critical therapy moment,” she said.
“The children think they’re having such a wonderful time but they’re really working on their vestibular system. The vestibular system is your balance and coordination which is integral to going ahead moving on with their life,” Woods continued.
For Heiser students, the classes are divided up into two parts. The first looks like a dance class and the second is an obstacle course that helps kids works with their peripheral perception and their fine motor skills.
John Davies with Down Syndrome Louisville says his students see that same kind of tailored approach when they come to class.
Down Syndrome Louisville has a couple of different dance crews. The first is part of the adaptive dance program and for little kids called the “Boogie Ballet.” Once the kids grow out of “Boogie Ballet” they’re able to graduate to the “Boogie Down Crew.”
“Leaning into your creativity with your friends is a great way to spend your afternoon,” said Davies.
“We’re all about healthy movement here at DSL, so partnering with the Louisville Ballet give us an opportunity to not only dance but be creative in our own skin,” he continued. “I think everyone needs to take a page out of our member’s books and really lean into who they are and allowing ourselves to full express ourselves.”
That expression can lead to physical development as well as mental and social development for these students, and that’s the part that Kays thinks needs to be emphasized.
“In these adaptive programs we want to build community and we want to build connection,” she said.
Because dance is for everyone.