DanceSport Education

We create life-long impact in the lives of children and youth through ballroom dance and support young and developing dancesport talent.

WHO WE ARE
In 2016 we established DanceSport Education. It is an Arizona not for profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Two powerful businesses - one in DanceSport - Imperial Ballroom, and one in Education - Education Team Partners joined forces and brought top-level management, organizational and ballroom dance expertise together. We work with a distinguished Advisory Board to guide us in our mission!

WHAT WE DO
- We bring ballroom dance with its many benefits to children ages 4 through 18 directly to their schools, in their classrooms.
- We engage long-term with the schools and their students.
- We outreach to ALL students, including at risk, low-income and students with special needs.
- We offer complete DanceSport curriculum with a proven instructional methodology and top-rated, world-class professionals as our instructors.
- We support young and developing DanceSport talent with need and talent-based scholarships.

CURRENT PROGRAMS
We have established presence in 3 schools in Metro Phoenix - Mission Montessori Academy, Create Academy and Arizona Autism Charter Schools. Create Academy and AZ Autism Charter Schools are located in South Phoenix and serve low-income, at-risk student population.

For the first time in Arizona, DanceSport Education is partnering with Arizona Autism Charter school to bring the benefits of ballroom dancing to ALL 230 K-12 students at the school.
AZ Autism Charter School is Arizona's Only Autism-Focused Tuition-Free Charter public school. Students enrolled at AZACS are on the autism spectrum with varying degrees of intellectual/developmental disabilities. They have 40 classes of ballroom dance a week delivered by the highest quality of instruction - top-rated, world class ballroom dance professionals.

Many studies and research findings have supported the positive implication of dance therapy of people with autism. A study conducted on 31 young adults with ASD to find out that the participants reported an increased sense of well-being, self-other distinction, empathy, social skills and body awareness. Studies and reports from parents, family, friends and teachers have positively reinforced the fact of dance movement therapy having a huge impact on improving many of the autism symptoms.

WE NEED YOUR INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT
The DanceSport Education program needs the funding and visibility to reach its full potential for social impact! With your support, we can make the program accessible and affordable for Arizona's children and youth. With the current trends of diminishing public funding for sports and arts programs, and the inability of many parents to privately afford those, especially in low-income, at risk school communities, children and youth remain negatively impacted and are deprived of participating and experiencing the benefits of those opportunities. This also includes the students with special needs and autism, who currently have no such opportunities.

Testimonials

"Dear instructors: I would like to express my deepest, infinite gratitude for being amazing human beings and dedicating your time to show my son Christian how to dance. Christian is 15 years old and has autism. One of his main deficiencies is his lack of socialization and ability to connect with others. You have no idea how I felt when I saw him dancing! Words cannot express how happy, proud, and in awe I was to see my son dancing and laughing, having a great time! But I saw beyond that... I saw my son making a connection with his dance partner, Lauren, and all of you. I'm sure you heard me screaming! Please know that you have made me the happiest, proudest mom on this earth, and I will cherish this memories forever. If this is what you do for other kids, I can say with confidence that you have touched many hearts. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" Lizette Peregrina, Arizona Autism Charter Schools, Parent

".... The stature and professionalism and elegance of your teachers are beyond my wildest imagination. And the most amazing thing is their kindness and patience with the students. Their enthusiasm is infectious. They are so much fun to watch in action! Thank you for bringing this opportunity to our school!" Deborah Summers, Superintendent, Mission Montessori Schools.

"Musicology is a proud sponsor of DanceSport Education, which takes the gift of music and ballroom dancing into under served schools in our community. Through hard work and commitment, children as young as 4 years old learn coordination, discipline, social skills, confidence and self-esteem...all through the joy of dancing. THIS gives us something to sing about!" Mary Goodman, Owner

"The young Adolescent child is a child ready to form new relationships, build new skills and express themselves. This is not always easy for these children. The Dance Sport Program has reached my students in these three areas...