Dancing in the New Year!

by Shirley Rowe

The new year started off with music and movement for the 15 differently-abled adults who

attended From Page to Stage Production’s Dance for ALL class. During January and February, students gathered once a week at the Greater Maple Valley Community Center to share the ups

and downs of the past week during our popular “Highs and Lows” session. Then the students hitthe dance floor for folk dances, traditional singing games, freestyle dancing, and contemporary

line dances. After a water break, the class learned some seated dances before ending the class with more active movement. Teacher Shirley Rowe adapts the dances to the students’ ability levels, and we all work together to find ways for the more movement-challenged to participate.

Favorite dances and singing games included “Circle Round the Zero,” “What a Wonderful

World,” “Cha-Cha Slide,” and “Cupid Shuffle.” The dance “Whistle While You Work,” which

incorporates props that students created in Story Arts class, will be used in the play to be

produced in Theater for ALL. Sharing smiles, songs, and special moves in dance class affirms

our friends and creates community.