More Than Just Dance: Local Special Olympics Program Builds Confidence, Friendship and Community

In 2018, In the Cove was lucky enough to visit a very special weekly dance class at Burns Bay Dance Studios.

Every week, dancers from Special Olympics Sydney Upper North Shore gathered Burns Bay Dance Studios to move, perform, build confidence and enjoy being part of a group where everyone was encouraged to give it a go.

At the time, the group had already been dancing with Burns Bay Dance Studios for around eight years. Chelsea Capper, Director of Burns Bay Dance Studios, told ITC she loved teaching the class and that even if she was having a bad day, she always felt better once the dancers arrived.

Chelsea said back then that she loved watching each dancer grow in confidence. Some dancers would join in straight away, while others needed time to sit, watch and slowly find their place. Everyone was encouraged to take part at their own pace.

Fast forward to today and that same spirit is still at the heart of the program.

Now around 14 years on, Chelsea is still teaching the Special Olympics dancers and many of the families have been part of the Burns Bay Dance community for years. Some of the senior dancers have grown up together through the program, sharing Saturday morning classes, concerts, costumes, friendships and plenty of music.

What was already a beautiful community story in 2018 has become something even deeper.

For the dancers, the class is a place to move, perform, practise routines and feel part of a team. For the parents and carers, it has become its own support network, a place to share information, swap stories, have a coffee and spend time with other families who understand without needing everything explained.

Chelsea said the class remains one of the highlights of her week. “It’s the best way to end my week,” Chelsea said. “No matter how good or bad the week has been, I always finish on a high. They love it so much, the music and the dancing.”

A Moment That Stays With You

As a Burns Bay Dance parent, I have watched the Special Olympics dancers perform at the end-of-year concerts for many years.

Every time they step onto the stage, it is one of those moments that stays with you.

The lights go down, the music starts and there they are, some with huge smiles, some concentrating deeply, all of them part of something special. You can feel the audience willing them on. You can feel the pride in the room. And, without fail, the hair on your arms stands up.

It is moving not because every step is perfect, but because every dancer is up there giving it a go.

For many families, that moment on stage is a very big deal. When the world can sometimes feel like it is not set up to include people who move, learn, communicate or participate differently, seeing these dancers on stage, under the lights, in costume, with a huge crowd cheering them on, is incredibly powerful.

It was even more special to visit Burns Bay Dance Studios on a Saturday morning and watch the class that leads up to those concert moments.

There were so many familiar faces I had seen on stage over the years. This time, instead of watching from the audience, I was able to sit in the studio, see the class in action and chat with some of the dancers and their families.

It is impossible to leave without feeling a big burst of positivity.

In one room, the dancers were moving, listening, laughing, practising and learning. Nearby, the parents and carers were gathered with coffee, chatting together and taking a well-deserved breath.

It was not a day at the spa, but in many ways, it looked just as good for the soul.

Way More Than Dance

While dance is the reason everyone walks through the door, Chelsea says the program has always been about more than steps and routines.

“They learn social distancing, not touching other people, taking care of Miss Chelsea’s things and treating each other nicely.”

Chelsea’s approach is patient, warm and inclusive, but parents say she also treats the dancers like dancers. They are expected to listen, participate, take turns and be respectful, just like students in any other class. “They still get into trouble if they’re a bit naughty,” Chelsea said. “We learn here!” That approach is something parents deeply value.

Finding Their Own Tribe

For many families, the class has become a social anchor.

Bronwyn’s child has been attending Burns Bay Dance for around nine or ten years and was part of what she describes as the “second wave” of dancers from the church hall days (back when it was at the LCM church hall).

She told us the Special Olympics community gives the dancers continuity of friendship that can be hard to find elsewhere. She said the dancers often overlap through other Special Olympics activities, sport, social groups and community events, so dance becomes another layer of connection.

“It’s their social group on a Saturday morning. Other people have coffee groups or running groups. They’ve got dance group.”

That sense of belonging is especially powerful because it is long-term. The dancers know each other, understand each other and welcome new people into the group.

Prue said the friendships created through the program are one of its greatest gifts. “The friendship making was huge,” Prue said. “They’re almost like family.” She said even when someone new joins, the group welcomes them in.

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A Place to Grow at Their Own Pace

One of the most moving stories came from Prue, whose son took years to feel comfortable joining in.

“My son sat in the corner with his jacket over his head and wouldn’t participate for three years,” Prue said. “But now, as soon as I say dance, he runs to the car.”

For Prue, that says everything about the patience and understanding Chelsea brings to the class. “They’re on a different timeline and Chelsea was always so patient,” she said. “She let him join in at his own pace.”

That patience has allowed dancers who may have been nervous, hesitant or unsure to slowly build confidence.

Irene, whose son Christian has only recently joined the class, said she can already see how comfortable he feels.

“There’s a sense of belonging here,” Irene said. “He feels he can just join in.” She said Christian can sometimes get nervous when trying new groups, but the dance class feels different. “I can tell he feels comfortable here,” she said.

Andy, whose son Josh is also new to the group, said Josh is still getting into the routine, “He has that mix of nerves and excitement,” Andy said. “But once he gets here, you can see he’s fully into it.”

The Parent Community

While the dancers are in the studio, the parents and carers have built their own community too.

Chelsea said the move to the current studio has given the parents a chance to have what she calls their “little coffee club” next door. “It gives the parents some time to talk, catch up and have a break,” Chelsea said. For families raising children and young adults with disabilities, that time is much more than a casual chat.

Selina, whose daughter Ruby has been dancing for around a year and a half, said the parent network is invaluable. “We learn stuff not just about dancing, but about all things disability,” Selina said. “Learning from other parents is how we find out what is available for our children.” She said having the opportunity to sit down with other parents while the children dance is priceless.

Lizette, whose child has been coming for more than six years, said the class has created friendships for the dancers and for the parents. “He loves it, comes every week, has nice friendships and the parents have a nice chat and friendships as well,” Lizette said.

Irene agreed. “We’re busy parents,” she said. “We don’t get much opportunity to sit down and talk to other parents in a similar situation.”

Bronwyn said the parent community is an important part of the program because families do not need to explain everything from the beginning. “We know each other, we know our kids and we support each other,” she said.

Catherine, whose daughter has been attending for around ten or eleven years, said “We’re all in the same boat.” “We all have a life out of it as well.”

Concerts, Costumes and Big Smiles

For the dancers, the annual concert is a highlight.

Selina said her daughter Ruby loves the opportunity to participate in a dance class like other children. “She loves the costumes, the concerts, getting dressed up, putting makeup on and doing the concerts,” Selina said. “She loves having the opportunity to participate in a class with friends like her that she can relate to.”

Ruby loves the class so much that she gets upset if she has to miss it.

Jenny’s son Christian has been attending for around two years and loves the concerts. “He loves having a play, having a dance and a boogie,” Jenny said.

Michelle said watching the Special Olympics dancers perform on stage is one of the most powerful parts of the Burns Bay Dance concerts. “When they get up on stage, you get goosebumps,” Michelle said. “Seeing the smiles on their faces and the genuine joy is amazing.”

Catherine said her daughter gets very excited about concert time, especially the chance to dress up. “She loves a big bow,” Catherine said.

Courage, Confidence and a Great Big Heart

For Catherine, the class is difficult to sum up because it means so many things at once.

“When you look in the room, you see courage, confidence, fun, trust, joy and a great big heart, all in one room,” Catherine said. “That’s all led by Chelsea and her enthusiasm.” She said the class teaches social skills, taking turns, sharing, leaning on one another and learning from each other.

“It’s a godsend,” Catherine said. “It opens the doors to so much.”

Dancers Becoming Helpers

One of the lovely parts of the program is seeing how the dancers grow into leaders within their own community.

Brigitte, who has been part of the Special Olympics dance community for many years, now helps with the junior Special Olympics class.

She also volunteers at some of the Burns Bay Dance discos, where she is wonderful with the younger children, helping to keep them entertained, involved and happy.

She is always up for a chat, is involved in lots of activities and has the kind of busy social life that shows just how important these community connections can become.

It is a beautiful full-circle moment: a dancer who found friendship and confidence through the program now helping the next generation of dancers find their place too.

Chelsea’s Team

Chelsea is also supported by helpers, “I have extra help coming all the time, which is nice,” Chelsea said. “Some of my students volunteer to help them, which is lovely.”

Chelsea said the dancers are all at different levels, but they work together as a team.

And there is one more thing everyone agrees on. “They love a party,” Chelsea said.

What Is Special Olympics?

Special Olympics provides year-round sport, training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. Through programs like dance, athletes are given the chance to build skills, confidence, fitness and friendships in a supportive environment.

The Burns Bay Dance Studios Special Olympic classes are part of the Special Olympics Sydney Upper North Shore program, giving local dancers a regular place to move, perform, socialise and be part of a team.

What’s On Offer at Burns Bay Dance Studios?

Burns Bay Dance Studios offers a wide range of dance classes for children, teens and adults.

Classes include ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, contemporary and acrobatic dance. The studio caters for everyone from toddlers taking their first steps in dance to students who want to perform, compete or work toward dance examinations.

Students can also work on solo and group routines for eisteddfods, and ATOD ballet examinations are available for students wanting to further develop their technique. Private coaching can also be arranged for dancers who want to focus on technique, solo performance pieces or exam preparation.

Burns Bay Dance Studios also runs school holiday dance camps and hosts birthday parties on weekends.

The studio continues to take part in community events and fundraising, including Dance for Sick Kids, which raises funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Classes are term-based, with multi-class discounts available.

The end-of-year concert is held in Term 4 and is a major highlight of the Burns Bay Dance calendar, complete with rehearsals, lights, makeup, costumes and plenty of theatrical flair.

Burns Bay Dance Studios Contact Details