Free dance program created for those with disabilities
Pomerado News Chieftain
by Elizabeth Marie Himchak
A local ballet studio will begin offering free dance lessons to adults with disabilities due to an $8,000 grant from the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation.
The new inclusive adaptive dance program will begin its six-week session on Oct. 9. Classes will be offered from 2 to 3 p.m. each Wednesday through Nov. 13 at Southern California Ballet, 12285 World Trade Drive, Suite L in Carmel Mountain Ranch.
“Having grown up with one of my closest friends (Claire Feth) being part of the community of individuals with disabilities, this is an extremely important program that is very close to my heart,” said Martha Leebolt, SCB artistic director. “Growing up with her was a formative part of my life, and seeing her transition into adulthood helped me understand the difficulties of this stage of both her and many others’ lives.
“This led us to create this program, which I hope will flourish to become something that can enrich everyone’s lives who want to be involved,” Leebolt said.
As of Friday, nine participants had registered and Leebolt said up to 25 can be accommodated. It is not only open to adults with special needs ages 18 to 55, but their caregivers and others who want to dance with members of the special needs community, who have physical or intellectual challenges.
According to the studio’s website, there will be free transportation to and from the dance studio for participants with disabilities who are also Rancho Bernardo residents. In addition, the grant is providing funding so professional job coaches or aides of participants who are residents of Rancho Bernardo will be paid their hourly wage to attend.
Participants will learn a variety of dance styles, starting with modern, then ballet, Broadway and jazz. Leebolt said it will lean toward the more contemporary side of dance, have a lot of fun elements and genres, and the dancers will wear socks instead of dance shoes.
“Hopefully they will learn a routine ... during the last three weeks. ... We hope to create a show for their family and friends during the last class,” Leebolt said.
According to a press release, multiple studies have shown adaptive dance program benefits include improvements to coordination and control, body awareness, balance and motor skills. Dancing also increases happiness, relieves stress and is “one of the best and most effective forms of physical exercise.
“The goal of the program is to not only enrich the lives of the participants with disabilities, but also to integrate the community with non-disabled participants, bringing more awareness to the issues this often overlooked group faces and reducing common stigmas,” SCB officials wrote.
Leebolt grew up in Rancho Bernardo and said as a teen offered a series of dance classes with fellow dancer Laura Woodward for children with disabilities at the studio she now leads. “We made up little dances and it was really well (received),” Leebolt said. “It was magical, the amount of joy dance (brought) everyone.”
Following her Rancho Bernardo High graduation, Leebolt began her ballet career by attending the professional training program at BalletMet, Columbus before joining Northern Ballet in Leeds, England, where she rose through the ranks to become an award-winning principal dancer. After 15 years in England, she returned to take the helm of Southern California Ballet in 2017.
To register for the class, go to SouthernCaliforniaBallet.org/adaptive-dance. For questions, call 858-674-1006.