Adaptive Dance
The Adaptive Dance Program at Dance Arts Los Alamos aims to provide differently-abled dancers a safe, professional, and structured space to confidently learn about self-expression through movement while acquiring knowledge on communication, teamwork, creative problem solving skills, and leadership through the art of dance. This program was created in the fall of 2022 by Associate Director Karina Wilder. Ms. Wilder has received the NDEO (National Dance Education Organization) Certification “Teaching Dance to Students With Disabilities” and is the recipient of the 2018 Special Education Super Advocate Award from the Hastings School District in Minnesota for her work in creating an Adaptive Dance Program at Jan’s School of Dance.
The Adaptive Dance program is a series of dance classes specifically designed so that students with special needs and abilities can participate in dance classes and performance opportunities. Any student who may not have access to another class at DALA is welcome to attend our Adaptive Dance classes. The classes provide an opportunity for students to learn about Modern, Ballet, and Jazz Dance techniques that are specifically adapted to each individual student’s needs. Each 30 minute class is led by two co-teachers, to offer full support to the dancers as they attend class. The age 13+ class performs alongside our Mixed Repertoire Program in the winter and spring and the age 7-12 class performs alongside our Young Children’s program in the spring.
In the 2024-2025 school year, DALA was awarded a grant of $5,000 for the Adaptive Dance Program from United Way of Northern New Mexico. Our Adaptive Dance program opens up the opportunity to take dance classes to new dancers who may not feel comfortable in a traditional dance class setting. DALA is truly honored to collaborate with United Way of Northern New Mexico to deliver essential services to the families in the communities of Los Alamos, White Rock and Northern New Mexico.
We welcome anyone
who would like to be a “Unified Dance Partner” to register for class, perform and dance alongside us, and join our community!