Winter Park dance center teaches special needs students

Dancers watch themselves intently in a mirror, while original music trickles out of speakers. Their movements tell a story, of a thunderstorm, lightning and crashing thunder, the sun shining and puddles to splash in.

If you ask the directors of The Center for Contemporary Dance, these dancers aren’t just telling the story of a summer storm, they’re telling the story of themselves, and adding to a narrative everyone should be a part of — one of the whole community.

“Dance is storytelling told through shape and form, and we need everybody to contribute to tell that full story,” said Craig Johnson, executive director of the Center.

And these students’ stories are very particular — they have special needs. The Center started offering classes this summer for students with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and cerebral palsy.

The Center prides itself on diversity and inclusion, and their perspective has been a long time coming, Johnson said.

“Diversity is the rule of the land and we’re proud of that,” said Dario Moore, artistic director for the school. “Anybody can fit in. No matter what, you’re welcome here.”

For many, dance was in their hearts, but there wasn’t a resource available for them to express that, especially for older students with special needs because resources tend to dry up as they age. That’s why the Center started with classes for teens and young adults.

Isabella Valle, 16, is a great example. She has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, but can’t live a moment without music. Her mom said she never misses an episode of “Dancing with the Stars” or “So You Think You Can Dance.”

“If she could walk, she’d dance all over the place,” mom Elaine Valle said.

Now, she’s learning how to dance in her chair, and not only attends the cerebral palsy classes, but the one for Down syndrome students as well. Before, Valle said her daughter never looked in the mirror, now she stares at herself for an hour in each class and spends time moving in front of her mirror at home. Dance has made her prioritize proper form, and it’s given her the confidence to actually look at herself.

It also helps with her physical therapy to know how movements should be looking. It was one of the most difficult things she’s done, and watching her accomplish that is something her mom cherishes. That’s why at every class all moms’ eyes are glued to the dance practice, with only a hushed whisper of happiness between them.

“Because every so often they do something amazing, so they don’t want to miss it,” Valle said.

The Center for Contemporary Dance, located at 3580 Aloma Ave. in Winter Park, offers classes during the week for teen and young adult students with Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder and cerebral palsy. They will be starting classes for younger students this fall. Call 407-695-8366 or email Executive Director Craig Johnson at [email protected] for more information. Visit thecenterfordance.org

Each class has its own personality and goals, Moore said. In all his classes, he helps them fine tune their motor skills and push what they think are their physical limits; it’s all about taking a chance. The Down syndrome class is full of encouragement, chatter and energy, and Moore concentrates on social skills and memory. The ASD class needs help with focus and communicating feelings, especially when they’re agitated, and that group needs calm structure. The cerebral palsy class is all about stretching and working their upper body. It’s an overall great workout for their bodies, which they learn to trust a little more from dancing.

“We really do take movement for granted,” Moore said.

“He’s engaging their brains, it’s not just dance — it involves a lot of other components,” said Gladys Gochenour, whose daughter Jessica Gochenour attends the Down syndrome classes.

There’s really no drawback, said Eric Mason, a Florida licensed physical therapist at Physiotherapy Works in Winter Park.

“That kind of rhythmic movement builds strength and balance,” he said.

It’s not just building bodies, though, it’s also building dancers. While the specialty goals might be a little different from regular classes, the main goals stay the same. The students talk dance moves and choreography, they learn the fancy French names for each spin and jump, and they stare keenly in the mirror while they focus on form.

“There is a community of artists that are developing — they’re actually becoming artists,” Johnson said. “They are truly connected to it, they practice at home, they’re passionate … they’re hungry for it.”

The Center will be having a dance showcase featuring their special needs students July 27, 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Preparatory School. Call the Center or purchase tickets online.

It’s also a place to socialize. Johnson and Moore agreed they’re all like a family. They support each other, encourage, clap and laugh together. Valle said being there feels like home for her daughter, especially because Moore is such a compassionate, wonderful teacher.

“Dario is really pouring his heart out,” Valle said. “He has such respect for them.”

For many students, dancing together is the very best part of their week.

“She can’t wait for Tuesday,” Gochenour. “The whole day is waiting for dance.”