Fairfield Ludlowe Senior Promoting Connecticut School Dance 4 All

Fairfield, CT - Amelia Vallillo, a rising senior at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, has turned her personal passion for ballet into a mission to bring the joy of dance to kids and adults with disabilities. A student of classical ballet since the age of three, Vallillo first fell in love with dance at Connecticut Dance School, a not-for-profit 501©3 organization in Fairfield, CT, dedicated to dance education of the highest standard.

"I have always danced ballet," says Vallillo. "It offers me a creative outlet, and has developed my self-discipline, and it's also really fun." Ballet has also provided a way for Vallillo to support a cause that is as meaningful to her as dance itself. "My uncle has cerebral palsy, and he deals with mobility issues. He has really inspired me to do more through dance." For the past four years, Vallillo has actively volunteer at her dance school, as part of the Dance 4 All Abilities program at Connecticut Dance School. This is an adaptive dance class at Connecticut Dance School for children facing various challenges. The classes provide fun, small class instruction using creative movement principles with modified ballet technique. 

Vallillo's volunteer efforts in the Dance 4 All Abilities program has included performances with these children. She says "the performances are also so special. It's important for ability-diverse people and their parents to participate, and experience the physical and emotional benefits of dance." The program led Vallillo to take this access to dance even further, by starting an outreach program through various group homes and disability work programs. "I have volunteered at Alibis and Sunset Shores to bring the impact of "Dance 4 All Abilities" to an even broader audience. I usually recruit some of my dance friends and we either perform ballet or teach a class, and the experience is always so rewarding." 

Vallillo is sharing her story, to spread the word so that more people can take advantage of this opportunity. She says, "At every performance or event, people are always so excited to watch and participate. I want to help Connecticut Dance School get more awareness for what they're doing. I’ve been helping the Dance 4 All Abilities program expand through an outreach program with Special Education departments in neighboring towns so that more kids with varying disabilities that are interested in dance, can participate". 

If anyone is interested in learning more about CDS Dance 4 All, please reach out to Amelia Vallillo for more information at amelia.vallillo@yahoo.com

 Website link for Connecticut Dance School "Dance 4 All Abilities":  https://www.ctdanceschool.org/classes/dance-4-all-abilities

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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