Dance For All
Dance For All
Dance For All is a multi-tiered program created to widen dance opportunities to those with disabilities and/or limited access to the art form. The program includes a training program for teachers, with a regular schedule of classes occurring at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center as well as locations throughout the community.
Dance For All was formed to address accessibility for this art form and has been generously funded by the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Family Foundation since its inception. Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge has spearheaded the program for the State of Louisiana and held its first informational session at the Louisiana Arts Summit in the spring of 2021. Conversations surrounding a formal training series and implementation followed, culminating in a visit by representatives of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge to the Nashville Ballet Company (NBC), which hosts an accessible dance program for community members entitled Adaptive Dance: New Perspectives.
The goal of providing professional education and networking on a statewide scale to dance professionals, educators, administrators, occupational therapists, and physical therapists so that students of all abilities can fully participate in the art of dance throughout the state includes a cohort of dance leaders with directives in implementation of accessible dance in their areas of practice. The leaders in the first cohort participated in sessions with Nashville Ballet, New York City Ballet, and Boston Ballet specifically in these companies’ accessible dance programs.
Instructors
Kaitlyn Odell
Kaitlyn is from Gonzales, Louisiana, and graduated with honors from St. Amant High School in 2019. She studied and competed in all styles of dance at the elite level for 14 years, earning various Stand Out and high score awards at the regional and national level. She continues to dance and perform with the LSU Dance Ensemble and Dance Ambassadors. She has been teaching dancers of all ages, levels, and abilities for six years. Today, she finds herself teaching at studios in Gonzales and Mandeville, where she has had the opportunity to help organize and start adaptive dance classes with curricula designed to accommodate the unique needs of children facing physical, social, and cognitive challenges. She is currently a senior at LSU pursuing a dual major in Biological Engineering and Kinesiology – Human Movement and a minor in Dance. Kaitlyn’s goal is to achieve a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and, one day, use dance as a form of physical therapy in her own practice.
“Dance is so much more than just a ‘hobby.’ It is self-expression and self-exploration. Working with the Arts Council to bring dance to children of all abilities is an absolute blessing, and I can’t wait to start this fall! No matter the challenges they face, all children should have the opportunity to experience the freedom and escape of dance. Impossible is an Opinion!”
Bailey Floyd
"Bailey Floyd is a Memphis, TN native and has relocated to Baton Rouge, LA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Alabama after completing her studies in dance, psychology, and biology. During her time at UA, she participated in various dance performances in addition to volunteering with Dance Alabama! and assisting in an accessible dance program for adults with cerebral palsy. She also served as a peer mentor for the UA-ACTS program, aiding in the social and academic success of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders on campus. Bailey was also named Outstanding Sophomore of the College of Arts and Sciences and Outstanding Senior of the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Upon the completion of her undergraduate degrees, Bailey began pursuing a Master of Occupational Therapy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center with anticipated graduation in May of 2024. Presently, Bailey serves as the president of her cohort in addition to the vice president of the College of Health Professions student government association. Bailey is a member of the TN Occupational Therapy Association, American Occupational Therapy Association, Pi Theta Epsilon, and Rachel Kay Stevens Therapy Center Board. She is in the midst of her fieldwork experience at The Emerge Center and plans to stay in Baton Rouge following graduation. Bailey saw the Dance For All Initiative as the perfect combination of her love for dance, science, and service while connecting with the local community. After teaching and choreographing for competitive dance studios for the past 10 years, Bailey is overjoyed to help bring accessible and inclusive dance classes to the Baton Rouge area."
Fall Session 2024 Schedule
There will be an initial workshop class on September 29th from 2:00pm - 3:00pm for instructors to evaluate each student’s dance level. This evaluation does not determine class participation as the workshop is open to all.
Sundays from 2:00pm - 4:00pm
October: 6,13,20,27
November: 3, 10
December 6 - performance at Festival of Lights, time TBA
Cohort Members:
Clare Cook, Basin Arts – Lafayette Parish
Giulia Fedeli, free-lance dancer – East Baton Rouge Parish
Anna Schwab – NOCCA – Orleans Parish
Gregory Schramel – New Orleans Ballet Theatre – Orleans Parish
Kaitlyn Odell, Dance instructor and Physical Therapy student – Ascension Parish
Jodey Bruno, The Dance Difference studio, Ascension Parish
Bailey Floyd, Occupational Therapist, Memphis, TN and East Baton Rouge Parish
Generous funding provided by:
