By K.D. Norris
The Grand Rapids Ballet School, the educational branch of Grand Rapids Ballet, recently announced an expansion of its Explorer Dance Program, a 45-minute beginning-level ballet class that emphasizes balance, coordination, and creative expression for children with disabilities.
The ballet school’s Explorer Dance Program continues at the Meijer Royce Center for Dance in downtown Grand Rapids, but will now return to Holland community with classes held at Hope College’s DeVos Fieldhouse after a 16-month hiatus due to the pandemic.
“I feel fortunate that we can once again offer the Explorer Dance classes,” school director Attila Mosolygo said in supplied material. “There’s a need for this type of class and we take great pride in being able to fill that need because these kids benefit from it.”
The Explorer Dance is part of the Grand Rapids Ballet School (GRBS) Adaptive Dance Program, which is focused on “the therapeutic power of dance for participants of all abilities to experience the joy of dance,” according to the announcement.
Among the many benefits of participation in Explorer Dance, students will interact with other children in their class, and build a sense of community and belonging. Mosolygo added that in addition to the camaraderie students feel, ballet also offers many therapeutic qualities.
“It’s great for people to recognize that dance can be part of everyday life. It’s very calming,” he said. “Our students feel great coming out of the class.”
The Explorer Dance program in Grand Rapids is returning to in-person classes for the fall semester following a year of virtual learning the previous school year. The Holland Explorer Dance classes are re-launching after more than a one-year break.
“There has always been overwhelming positivity in the Explorer Dance class,” Taryn Streasick, GRBS faculty member, said in supplied material. “All they wanted was to be back in person and see each other again.”
The Explorer Dance classes at both locations offer students the chance to interact one-on-one with the teacher in a hands-on environment that provides an opportunity to focus on learning. Students are able to discover their abilities and strengths while working to improve balance and hand-eye coordination.
“The students love being able to move and dance together,” Streasick said. “They build each other up and they help each other by encouraging one another.”
The fall semester runs through Jan. 22, 2022. Classes take place Monday evenings in Grand Rapids and Tuesday evenings in Holland.
For more information about the Grand Rapids Ballet School visit grballet.com.
For more information and to enroll in a Grand Rapids Ballet Schools’ Adaptive Dance program, visit grballet.com.
