Dance in Community
We inspire and encourage all people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity or socio-economic status to explore their own creativity and experience the joy of dance.
We have an inclusive idea of what dance is and believe dance is for everyBODY. As such we offer various programs throughout the community to ensure dance is accessible to anyone who is typically not served by the current dance education system.
Our specialties include teaching dance for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, intellectual & physical disabilities, senior citizens, individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, multi-generational dance, family dance, and inner city youth.
Dance for all Abilities
Customized programs available for social service organizations who serve individuals with intellectual& physical disabilities.
Currently we are partnering with Erie Homes for Children and Adults and Dafmark Dance Theater to provide creative dance education programming for their Partners in Dance program which has occurred for nearly 20 years. Through this program participants take classes twice a week beginning in the fall and then each spring they perform in a dance show for their friends, family and the community in partnership with Dafmark Dance Company.
Parkinson’s dance & movement Program
In partnership with the Parkinson’s Partners of NW PA and runs during the Spring and Fall. During this FREE program participants and care partners will explore movement and music in STIMULATING, exhilarating, ENJOYABLE and creative ways. The dance educator teaching this program is Jennifer Dennehy, a PA Council on the Arts Rostered Teaching Artist, who has created an enjoyable social environment for artistic exploration through dance. Jennifer will integrate basic movements from modern, ballet, tap, folk and social dancing to engage participants’ bodies and minds. Through this community recreational program participants will experience the JOYS and BENEFITS of dance while also addressing symptom- specific concerns related to balance, motor skill, cognition, depression and physical confidence.
multi-generational Dance for Dementia
In an increasingly age-segregated world, this creative dance program is a unique opportunity for cross-generational relationship building that allows each generation to learn from the other.
This program runs is in partnership with The Alzheimer’s Association. The purpose is to provide a fun interactive program for individuals with early stage Alzheimer’s and school aged children to connect through creative dance!
During this FREE program participants, care partners and school aged youth explore movement and music in STIMULATING, exhilarating, ENJOYABLE and creative ways.
The dance educator teaching this program is Jennifer Dennehy, a PA Council on the Arts Rostered Teaching Artist, who has created an enjoyable social environment for artistic exploration utilizing the elements of dance; Space, Time & Force.
Through this community recreational program participants will experience the JOYS and BENEFITS of dance, gain physical confidence, and connect with new individuals young and old.
City of Erie Parks & Recs Hoop Dance Program
This program runs for 9 weeks during the summer and is in partnership with the City of Erie and the YMCA.
During this FREE program participants learn the basics of hoop dance, play hoop games, and make their own hoop. This program provides weekly hoop dance classes at all 9 park locations for the duration of the 9 week program. Hoop making is typically done during the last week of July or the first week of August.
Park locations include: Rodger Young, McKinley, Burton, Pulaski, Nate Levy, Bayview, Gridley, Frontier, & Pulaski.
Dance for seniors
These dance programs are customized to serve each senior centers and community centers unique populations. This program creates an enjoyable social environment for artistic exploration utilizing the elements of dance; Space, Time & Energy. Designed specifically to address the needs of the aging body and mind.
Family dance Programs
These classes are designed to have young children explore dance play in relationship to their parents, discover all that their bodies can do, and how they can communicate and express themselves through movement.
We will investigate independence, stop and go, locomotion, big and small movements, shape-making, and many dance activities designed exclusively for students ages 3 and older. Theses parent-child dance classes provide families with a safe, comfortable environment to play and dance together. Designed to help parents gain confidence in their ability to interact physically with their children and by strengthening the family bond.
Sunset Music Series Playshops
This is a program in partnership with Presque Isle Partnership. Hoop dance lessons are provided weekly during the sunset music series concerts located on Beach 1. Open for participants both young and old. The lesson is provided from 6:00 pm -6:45 pm with free hoop play following the lesson. Hoops are provides by Kinetic Creativity but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
