LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Dance classes can teach children invaluable skills, but some children with special needs don’t get the opportunity to take these classes.
A local non-profit is working with schools across Central Kentucky to open up possibilities for those very students.
Allegro Dance Project does outreach at 27 different central Kentucky schools, working with around 400 students with special needs.
“They don’t realize how hard they’re working on things like balance, agility, flexibility, and coordination,” said Jeana Klevene, director of the Allegro Dance Project.
Klevene is a trained professional dancer and has always longed to make dance classes more inclusive for all.
“It was just always in the back of my head, why can’t we make the art of dance more inclusive and reach more children, and this was just a way to do that,” Klevene said.
Klevene said through their classes, they’ve had kids go from non-verbal to verbal, other children gain noticeable strength and agility, and most of all, a more secure sense of self.
“As we go they get more comfortable, and more confidence and they’ll make eye contact,” said Klevene.
The non-profit provides the classes free of charge for the students, fitting because there is truly no dollar amount one could place on the experience and the skills the children are gaining.
“To be able to share all of those benefits and the joy of movement is just magical,” she said.
The Allegro Dance Project is 100% funded by grants and donations.
You can donate here.
