The Adaptive Dance Program, now in its fourth year, continues to be a successful joint venture between Boston Ballet and the Department of Physical Therapy, Children's Hospital in Boston. The program reflects an innovative collaboration between the staff from both facilities and is designed to foster a love of dance and creative expression in children with Down’s syndrome. Although the primary goal of Adaptive Dance classes is for the children to experience the sheer joy of dance and music, program evaluation suggests that it has many other important benefits to the children who participate including improvements in their coordination, overall fitness, balance, focus, listening, self-esteem, self-expression, rhythm and musicality.

The hour-long classes provide a positive atmosphere for the exploration of movement while maintaining a focus on the individual abilities of each child. Additionally, the Adaptive Dance teaching staff is deeply dedicated to helping each child develop self-confidence and enhance self-esteem. With the assistance of live piano and percussive accompaniment, the children also work to develop a sense of musicality and rhythm. The continued support of parents and staff helps strengthen each subsequent session of Adaptive Dance, which the Boston Ballet School hopes to one day develop into a national model for children with Down’s syndrome.

The Adaptive Dance program was conceived by Michelina C. Cassella, Director of the Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Services at Children’s Hospital, and Director of Physical Therapy Services at Boston Ballet. Cassella has been a physical therapist for 32 years. The program is taught by former Boston Ballet dancer Gianni Di Marco, Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education teacher Patricia Loring, current Boston Ballet company member Sarah Wroth and Boston Ballet Education Advisor David Alexander. The one-hour classes are held on Saturdays from 8 to 9 a.m., and 9 to 10 a.m. at the Boston Ballet studios. Tuition is $140, and scholarship funds for families who need financial assistance may be available.

Funding for Adaptive Dance has been provided by the Tim White Fund, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA and the Massachusetts Department of Education.

For more information or to get involved, please contact:

Adaptive Dance
Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education
19 Clarendon St. Boston, MA 02119
617.456.6359