Photography by Mark Wagoner

Last Christmas Calley Hull watched The Nutcracker. And, like so many other young girls, she wished that she could be a ballerina.

For Calley, who spends most of her day in a wheelchair, moving even short distances with a walker takes much determination.
But this 7-year-old has never been one to give up easily. Calley shared her dream with her mother, Emily Hull. “What if there was a ballet class for kids who use wheelchairs?” she asked.

Hull began her search. She talked to Calley’s physical therapist and made several phone calls. Although response to the idea of a dance class for children with physical disabilities was positive, there seemed to be no one with all the resources in place to get it started. That’s when Calley’s babysitter stepped in.

In addition to providing childcare for the Hull family, Rebekah Smart was a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro working toward her Masters of Education in Interdisciplinary Studies in Birth to Kindergarten.

For her degree, Smart needed to develop an internship project that addressed a problem for young children in the community. The lack of a dance classes for children with disabilities seemed like a perfect mission. After convincing her faculty advisors to allow her to try to put a class together in only one semester, Smart went to work.

The response was phenomenal. Physical therapists Carrie Sawulski and Natalie Maness were immediately on board as consultants, while John Dennis and Greensboro Ballet were happy to provide space, costumes, and expertise.

Knowing she would need many volunteers so that each girl could have one-on-one assistance, Smart also sent out an e-mail to the service organizations at UNCG. Kristina Cunningham, founder and president of Girls Reaching Out, saw the class as a perfect match for her organization, whose mission is “to inspire, encourage, and empower the young female society through leadership and companionship.”

Also answering the call was Amy DiTommaso, a UNCG student with an interest in physical therapy who also happened to be a certified dance instructor with experience with special-needs students. She agreed to teach.

Established as a program of “creative movement for young children with physical disabilities providing the opportunity to overcome physical limitations and exceed self-expectations,” Dancing Above the Barre’s first class had eight participants, ranging from 4 to 8 years old.

Dancer Molly Barrow says she especially liked moving her arms and learning to curtsy, while Allyson Clayton says she enjoyed getting to meet new people. When asked what she liked about the class, Anslyn Wright sums up her fellow classmates’ feelings by saying: “Everything!”

For Calley, who finally saw her dream realized, the class provides more than simply a chance to dance. “I wasn’t lonely anymore because there were a lot of people who were sort of like me,” she says.

Judging from the packed auditorium and the enthusiasm of the recital audience, the girls were not the only ones who had a good time. In fact, everyone involved with the program has committed to return next season, with the hope that even more children will get a chance to follow their dreams.

“Dancing Above the Barre began simply — a child’s desire to become a dancer, and a graduate student’s desire to make a difference in the life of a child,” Smart recalls. ”Working with John Dennis and the staff of Greensboro Ballet, my vision came to fruition and has exceeded my expectations. I hope Dancing Above the Barre will continue to inspire young children with special needs to smile, laugh, and dance with confidence.”

Send donations for student scholarships to Greensboro Ballet, 200 N. Davie St., Suite 12, Greensboro, NC 27401 (for: Dancing Above the Barre).

Enrollment Information

Dancing Above the Barre 2008–2009

Purpose
This program will provide an opportunity for young children with disabilities to build their self-confidence, strengthen their bodies, create new friendships, and to live out a dream — the chance to be a dancer.

Program Profile
The program will consist of 11 weeks of classes (one hour per week), culminating in a presentation. Participants will range in age from 4 to 12 years, with modifications available for older and younger students as well.

Fall Session
Orientation and registration:
Saturday, August 30, 1 p.m.
Class Dates:
September 6, 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8, 15
End of session performance: November 22

Spring Session
Orientation and registration:
Saturday, January 10, 1 p.m.
Class Dates:
January 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 7, 14, 21, 28
End of session performance: April 4

General Information
Ages 4 to 8 years (limit eight dancers per class):
Noon–1 p.m.
Ages 8 to 12 years (limit six dancers per class):
1:30–2:30 p.m.
If the above classes fill up, more will be made available.
All class material has been approved by licensed physical therapists.
Cost: $88 per dancer
For questions or registration information, please contact Greensboro Ballet at 336-333-7480
or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).