Please join us for the new semester of Free 2 Be Me Dance, an adaptive dance program specifically for children ages 7 to 18 years old with Down syndrome. Free 2 Be Me Dance is sponsored by the Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica. Free 2 Be Me Dance is now accepting enrollments for our spring semester 2012! We will be offering 2 classes again this year, Ballet l and Ballet ll. If you are new to our program, please look at the Ballet l schedule for your child.
Ballet l:
Ballet l is a 10-week semester and will be taught by Hope Wills. This class will include all new enrollments as well as some of our “seasoned” dancers. Tuition for 10 weeks is $175. Scholarships are available this semester. Please contact Colleen Perry directly at 310-259-8970 if you are interested. We pride ourselves on not having to turn away any dancer because of an inability to afford tuition. There is also a MANDATORY parent orientation for Ballet I parents on March 11 from 1 pm to 2 pm. See our "Registration Forms" page to sign up your child and for more information about uniform costs.
Dates: Sundays
March 18, 25
April 1, 15, 22, 29
May 6, 13, 20, 27 (May 27 is the final class)
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Ballet ll: Is a 10-week semester and will continue to be taught by Miss Colleen. Tuition for 10 weeks is $175. Scholarships are available this semester. Please contact Colleen for more information. We are excited to be able to have class in a larger studio with a viewing window for parents!
Dates: Sundays
March 18, 25
April 1, 15, 22, 29
May 6, 13, 20, 27 (May 27 is the final class)
Time: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Please note!!
- Acceptance into the program requires your attendance at the mandatory Parent Orientation Meeting on Sunday March 11 at 1pm (Westside School of Ballet). This meeting is for parents only.
- ALL parents need to fill out a Student Profile for their new or returning student! Find the profile form on our website,Free2bemedance.com, under Registration Forms.
- Tuition payments must be received no later than Sunday March 11th.
- Returning students must have the Free 2 Be Me Dance uniform.
- For information on uniform costs and requirements, click here
We have been given a donation of gently worn ballet slippers.
Please let Colleen know if you are interested in a pair.
If you are interested in registering your child for this unique class, please call Colleen Perry at (310) 259-8970. I will be happy to answer any of your questions!
I hope you will consider enrolling your child in Free 2 Be Me Dance.
Sincerely,
Colleen Perry MFT
Former principle dancer with The Cape Cod Ballet Company
Free 2 Be Me Dance is an adaptive ballet class for kids with Down syndrome living in Los Angeles. It began as a labor of love by Colleen Perry, former ballet dancer and current Marriage and Family Therapist. Having always felt an affinity for kids and adults with Down syndrome, Colleen found her connection when she read an article about the Boston Ballet's adaptive dance program in conjunction with Children's Hospital Boston.
Through careful guidance and lots of attention in the classes, the kids learn dance movements, coordination, and how to follow directions. It is a chance for these kids to feel accepted all the while having fun, building confidence, strength, and forming meaningful relationships with their fellow dancers as well as with their teacher, Ms. Colleen, and their volunteer helpers.
The following are some of the outcomes we intend for your child as he or she participates in Free 2 Be Me Dance:
Appreciation of music, building self-confidence, enhanced self-esteem, learning how to work together as a class, learning to help and encourage one another, following directions, learning left from right, separate upper and lower body movements, coordinating movements to stop and start on cue, improving focus, adding movements they have invented, improved balance, coordination, posture and alignment, and increased pride in their accomplishments.
(Courtesy of Boston Ballet's Adaptive Dance Program)
Thank You
Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles
Gail Williamson, Executive Director-DSALA is a non-profit association that has been providing services to individuals with Down syndrome and their families since 1976. Their mission is to enhance the welfare of people with Down syndrome and their families.
http://www.dsala.org/
Mitsubishi Electronic Corporation
Mitsubishi Electric US is a recognized leader in the research, marketing, sales, engineering, and manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and construction. As part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, Mitsubishi Electric is proud to support theMitsubishi Electric America Foundation in its work on behalf of young people with disabilities.
http://www.mitsubishielectric-usa.com/index.php
Westside Ballet Company, a non-profit organization, is one of the nation's premier ballet training companies. The Westside School of Ballet is dedicated to excellence in training and the development of the student as an artist.
http://www.westsideballet.com/
Visit the REMO Recreational Music Center in North Hollywood for all kinds of drumming fun. Free Community Drum Circle on Tuesdays at 7 PM. Free Kids Drum Circle every Saturday at 11 AM.
www.remo.com
