Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
The unbridled joy and laughter can't be contained to the small studio inside Debra Collier's School of Dance. It's about 6 p.m. on a Friday and a group of adults, ranging in ages from 19 to senior citizens, living with developmental disabilities, are dancing, laughing and interacting with instructions. Without peaking into the studio, the loud hip-hop and dance music could be mistaken for a club or an advanced dance class. But these students are having more fun than any other group could. About 20 people living with disabilities are hopping around, dancing and joking with each other and their instructors. Debra Collier's offers two different programs. "Boogie 'til You Drop" is for adults while "Boogie With Me" is for kids ages 10 to 15. These classes started in 2007. Instructor Courtney Brown said around that time she had a friend who worked at a group home bring in one of the clients to check out a class. "He really enjoyed the class so I thought that we had to come up with one for people living with disabilities," said Brown. The first class had about 20 people in it.Those young and old, those living in a wheelchair, are all welcomed to join the course. Each class begins as the students start in a circle and stretch out. They then work on dance moves that allow them to not only have fun but engage in some much-needed physical activity. Brown said she's seen students' motor skills improve dramatically from taking the class. "Some of them couldn't lift their hands above their head before they started," said Brown. The classes are designed to focus on the students' successes and not their limitations. Not only do the students get a lot out of the program, the instructors do as well. Brown, a certified dance educator, said those classes where she works with disabled individuals are the most fulfilling. "And the other instructors who help, they all develop relationships with the students," said Brown. Debra Collier students help Brown as instructors for the class. Starting May 4 there will be a four-week session. On June 15, a six-week session begins. The cost for a six-week session is $30 for both adults and children. The four-week session costs $20. The classes are short to allow for the students or their family the ability to pay for them. Brown did say she is actively seeking sponsorship for the classes and hopes to create a scholarship program for those who can't afford to attend otherwise.
