Wilmington, DE – Nemours Children’s Health System recently launched the Just Dance! adaptive dance and movement program, in partnership with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Held over six Saturday morning classes, Just Dance! is designed to create access to dance in a safe space for children with diverse needs.
The free program focuses on seeing dance through different lenses--as made up of movement, action, space, energy and time. Dancers will explore different activities that highlight these themes, all while seeking to understand what “dance” means to them. The experienced dance instructors will create adaptations and supports for each dancer, so they can all participate and help redefine what is traditionally thought of as dance.
To celebrate the children’s dance exploration, a recital will be performed for their loved ones and greater community.
Key Facts
- Just Dance! will take place on Saturdays from March 23rd through April 27th.
- Classes will take place at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
- The recital, which is open to the community, will be on April 28th.
- There are two age groups: Ages 5-7 and 8-10.
- No previous dance experience is necessary and parents are welcome to participate.
- The entire program, including recital costumes, is free to all.
- Nemours is proud to partner with Kimmel Center on a variety of programs. In December 2018, Nemours worked with the Kimmel Center to present the first-ever Broadway Philadelphia sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.
Quote:
“As a parent of a child with diverse needs, I am excited to be a part of a program that creates a safe and welcoming environment for all children. Through our work with the Kimmel Center, children with all needs will have the opportunity to experience the excitement of arts by showing up to ‘just dance.’ Whatever your child’s capacity is, the opportunity is there. It will be amazing to see smiles and joy when the participants have an opportunity to perform in front of their families and friends. We thank our friends at the Kimmel Center for their support with making this possible.”
--Dr. Michelle Shorter, Director, Community Engagement, Nemours Children’s Health System
“The Kimmel Center is proud to partner with Nemours Children’s Health System to serve as an inclusive and welcoming environment where individuals of all abilities are given opportunities to experience arts education. Relishing our institutional vision to “transform lives daily through the arts”, we anticipate the “Just Dance!” classes will be an enriching and freeing experience for all involved.”
--Ed Cambron, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
About Nemours Children’s Health System
Nemours is an internationally recognized children's health system that owns and operates two free-standing children’s hospitals: Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Del., and Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Fla., along with outpatient facilities in five states, delivering pediatric primary, specialty and urgent care. Nemours also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, KidsHealth.org, and offers on-demand, online video patient visits through Nemours CareConnect. Nemours ReadingBrightstart.org is a program dedicated to preventing reading failure in young children, grounded in Nemours’ understanding that child health and learning are inextricably linked, and that reading level is a strong predictor of adult health. Established as The Nemours Foundation through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, Nemours provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy and prevention programs to families in the communities it serves.
Kimmel Center Education
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts reaches thousands of local students, teachers, families, and aspiring artists each year through a unique set of education offerings, creating future performers, audiences, and cultural enthusiasts. With a 16-year history of education programs, the Kimmel Center reaches arts lovers of all ages and skill levels, stimulating creativity through hands-on multidisciplinary experiences. The programs educate, engage, and inspire the next generation, fulfilling the Kimmel Center’s mission to transform lives daily through the arts.
The Kimmel Center provides education programs both on its campus and in Philadelphia classrooms. With a focus on jazz and musical theater, programs include summer camps, school residencies, student matinees, a Teacher Appreciation program, and free community events.
For more information on all Kimmel Center education programs, visit kimmelcenter.org/education.
The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus
Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, our mission is to engage the region’s diverse communities with art through performance and education. Our Cultural Campus serves more than 1 million guests per year and includes the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music, and the Merriam Theater- representing more than 160 years of rich history for the performing arts along Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts. We are home to eight esteemed Resident Companies: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, The Philly POPS, PHILADANCO, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and Curtis Institute of Music. With nearly 9,000 seats per night, we are the region’s most impactful performing arts center, and the second largest in the country. Our Cultural Campus serves as a preeminent and inclusive place to enjoy exceptional experiences that reflect the spirit of our region by cultivating a creative and socially-responsible environment where our community shares experiences that are delivered with pride, integrity, and respect. As a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, we collaborate on, present, and produce a broad range of relevant and meaningful events, we serve as an active gathering space for social and community events, we educate the region’s young people through access to quality arts experiences, and we provide support to artists in the creation of new work. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, is our proud sponsor of the Kimmel Center’s 2018-2019 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
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