Dancing Dreams: Adaptive Dance Classes

Dancing Dreams, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides adaptive dance classes and performance opportunities to physically challenged children and teens. The program has grown from five dancers to the current enrollment of over 110 girls and boys, ages 3-18, now dancing in one of eight weekly classes across the greater New York area. Dancers are exposed to various genres of dance within each class including ballet, tap, hip-hop, and ballroom. Based on abilities rather than disabilities, the program allows each child to fully participate in the art of dance and to experience movement within their own physical capabilities.

Classes are held at The Museum of the City of New York on Monday afternoons and in Bayside, Queens on Thursday afternoons.

Classes are taught by licensed physical therapists and each dancer is paired 1:1 with a teen Helper, a 13-18 year old student enrolled in our Teen Leadership Program. Through hands-on volunteer experience and participation in leadership workshops, our 180 teen Helpers gain an awareness and acceptance of the physically-challenged population. The Leadership Program endeavors to empower teens as role models and enhance leadership, advocacy, and teamwork skills.  

While there is a suggested donation, no one is turned away for inability to pay and more than 85% of our dancers are on scholarship.