ONLINE HED: DelMonico Dance of Woodbury offers adapted dance class
HED: A Positive, Supportive Stage
DEK: DelMonico Dance studio’s special needs class inspires both participants and the Woodbury community.
BY: Nora Clos
PULLQUOTE: “I never could have imagined how wonderful it has been working with these students. The energy they bring to the classroom is inspiring.” —Ashley Wolf, adapted dance instructor
Last October, 12-year-old Matthew Malone began taking dance classes at Woodbury’s DelMonico Dance studio. According to his mother Toni, Matthew has always loved to dance and has participated in many dance classes over the past several years. He also has Down syndrome.
When Malone discovered that DelMonico had begun offering adapted dance classes for children with disabilities, she knew it was something her son would be interested in. “It’s always encouraging to have adapted programs pop up in our neck of the woods,” Malone says, noting that in the past, she has had to drive her son to extracurricular activities like theater and dance as far away as the western suburbs. “When there are activities located closer to home,” she says, “it creates a greater sense of community.”
DelMonico Dance, founded by former Minnesota Vikings cheerleader and longtime dance instructor Kim DelMonico, began offering adapted dance classes in October 2013. “There aren’t a lot of opportunities like this for kids with special needs in the Woodbury area,” DelMonico says. “The staff here all love dance, and we want to share it with everybody regardless of what their needs are.”
Ashley Wolf, a Woodbury native, lifelong dancer and special education teacher, leads the adapted dance class at DelMonico. “Kids with special needs don’t have the opportunity to express themselves this way [through dance] at school,” Wolf says. Although the class is focused on dancing, she says it’s less about learning routines or structured activities than it is about the kids having an opportunity to socialize, spend time away from their parents and express themselves in a welcoming environment. “It’s the highlight of my week,” Wolf says. “When I come here it’s always so fun, so lighthearted; I always leave feeling better than when I arrived.”
Wolf says that although she makes some variations based on participants’ needs, she teaches adapted dance much like she would teach any other dance class. “These kids just want to participate and have fun like any other kids,” she says.
Students in the adapted dance class participate in the year-end recital alongside their peers in DelMonico’s other classes. Although this is overwhelming for some, Wolf says, the majority of adaptive dancers jump at the chance to showcase their skills in front of an audience.
“The adapted dance class absolutely stole the show at this year’s recital,” says DelMonico. “They got a standing ovation. I would have watched them dance all night.”
Malone says her son has benefitted greatly from his participation in the class, even beyond having an outlet for expressive energy. “I have noticed an improvement in Matthew’s coordination and motor skills,” she says. “His self confidence is stronger, as well as his self- esteem. He has made a few new friends, too, which helps with his social skills.”
Her son’s comfort in the class is all thanks to Wolf, says Malone. “She truly cares about the kids and is able to motivate them to give it their all,” she says. “The kids leave feeling that they did their best work and are very proud of what they have accomplished.”
Right now, the class is offered once a week and includes students ranging from 5 to 23 years old. The number of participants varies from week to week, as many students have different therapies or appointments that make scheduling tricky. “We keep it flexible,” Wolf says. “Some weeks there are only a couple of students, other weeks we may have as many as 12 or 15.”
Wolf and DelMonico say that they hope to be able to offer more adapted classes soon, due to the level of interest in the community. “It’s the most amazing thing,” Wolf says. “I never could have imagined how wonderful it has been working with these students. The energy they bring to it is inspiring.”
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For more information on DelMonico Dance studio’s adapted dance class, go to delmonicodance.com.
Last October, 12-year-old Matthew Malone began taking dance classes at Woodbury’s DelMonico Dance studio. According to his mother Toni, Matthew has always loved to dance and has participated in many dance classes over the past several years. He also has Down syndrome.
When Malone discovered that DelMonico had begun offering adapted dance classes for children with disabilities, she knew it was something her son would be interested in. “It’s always encouraging to have adapted programs pop up in our neck of the woods,” Malone says, noting that in the past, she has had to drive her son to extracurricular activities like theater and dance as far away as the western suburbs. “When there are activities located closer to home,” she says, “it creates a greater sense of community.”
DelMonico Dance, founded by former Minnesota Vikings cheerleader and longtime dance instructor Kim DelMonico, began offering adapted dance classes in October 2013. “There aren’t a lot of opportunities like this for kids with special needs in the Woodbury area,” DelMonico says. “The staff here all love dance, and we want to share it with everybody regardless of what their needs are.”
Ashley Wolf, a Woodbury native, lifelong dancer and special education teacher, leads the adapted dance class at DelMonico. “Kids with special needs don’t have the opportunity to express themselves this way [through dance] at school,” Wolf says. Although the class is focused on dancing, she says it’s less about learning routines or structured activities than it is about the kids having an opportunity to socialize, spend time away from their parents and express themselves in a welcoming environment. “It’s the highlight of my week,” Wolf says. “When I come here it’s always so fun, so lighthearted; I always leave feeling better than when I arrived.”
Students in the adapted dance class participate in the year-end recital alongside their peers in DelMonico’s other classes. Although this is overwhelming for some, Wolf says, the majority of adaptive dancers jump at the chance to showcase their skills in front of an audience.
“The adapted dance class absolutely stole the show at this year’s recital,” says DelMonico. “They got a standing ovation. I would have watched them dance all night.”
Malone says her son has benefitted greatly from his participation in the class, even beyond having an outlet for expressive energy. “I have noticed an improvement in Matthew’s coordination and motor skills,” she says. “His self confidence is stronger, as well as his self- esteem. He has made a few new friends, too, which helps with his social skills.” Her son’s comfort in the class is all thanks to Wolf, says Malone. “She truly cares about the kids and is able to motivate them to give it their all,” she says. “The kids leave feeling that they did their best work and are very proud of what they have accomplished.”
Right now, the class is offered once a week and includes students ranging from 5 to 23 years old. The number of participants varies from week to week, as many students have different therapies or appointments that make scheduling tricky. “We keep it flexible,” Wolf says. “Some weeks there are only a couple of students, other weeks we may have as many as 12 or 15.” Wolf and DelMonico say that they hope to be able to offer more adapted classes soon, due to the level of interest in the community. “It’s the most amazing thing,” Wolf says. “I never could have imagined how wonderful it has been working with these students. The energy they bring to it is inspiring.”
For more information on DelMonico Dance studio’s adapted dance class, go to delmonicodance.com.
