ITC was lucky enough to be invited to visit a very special weekly dance class at Burns Bay Dance Studio. Every week Burns Bay Dance Studio holds a dance class for the Special Olympics Sydney Upper North Shore dancers. The aim of the dance class is to produce passionate performers.
The group has been dancing for 8 years with Burns Bay Dance Studio. Chelsea Capper, Burns Bay Dance Studio director, loves teaching the group. When the group gets together everyone lights up and everyone gives it a go. Chelsea donates her time. Chelsea is also helped by secondary school teenagers as part of their community service for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Chelsea says even if she is having a bad day as soon as she starts teaching the group she feels better. Chelsea loves seeing each dancer grow in confidence. Everyone take its at their own pace and if they want to step out and sit down for a while that is okay. When a student first comes they might be a bit reluctant but soon they are joining in with everyone. Each year she sees the dancers improve.
Each dancer has a different type of intellectual disability. Some of the dancers have been dancing for years. Brigitte has been dancing for nearly 20 years and has made many good friends through dance class. She now helps with the Special Olympics junior dance class. The class look after and supports each other.
When ITC visited the group, they were preparing for their dance concert routine. Chelsea says they are the highlight of the Burns Bay Dance End of Year Concert and they always receive a standing ovation. After this particular practice session, the dancers and their parents headed off to Fourth Fish for lunch – it was obvious that the dance group were friends and so are the parents.
Dance is just one of the activities offered by Special Olympics Sydney Upper North Shore . Special Olympics makes a positive impact to the quality of life for over 600 children and adults with an intellectual disability every year. There are currently vacancies for the junior (under 14 years) Special Olympics dance class. If you would like more information you can email them here.
Well done to the Burns Bay Dance Studios for holding such a special class.
Burns Bay Dance Studios
At Burns Bay Dance Studios, their teaching team consists of many talented and professional teachers. These teachers aim to pass on their knowledge and talent and provide a fun, learning and creative environment through the art form of dance.
Burns Bay Dance Studios provides a professional, fun filled atmosphere for students who may wish to learn the creative skills of dance or merely for the purpose of fitness. Here at Burns Bay we also provide classes for students who want to take dance a little more seriously and maybe one day, aspire to dance or teach professionally. Whatever your dance requirements may be, you’re in safe hands!
BBDS offers classes in Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Boys Only – Hip Hop, Tap, Contemporary, Solo and Group Eisteddfods, RAD Ballet Exams for ages 2 years to Adults. Private coaching available on request.