LAKE ASBURY - Asbury Arts Center is making the performing arts accessible to all with their new class offering.

The center’s "Adaptive Dance" class, designed specifically for people with physical and mental disabilities, aims to create a safe space for dancers to improve their communication and locomotor skills, spatial awareness and self-confidence while exploring the creativity of dance.

Dance Instructor Kaitlin Potter said she experienced this in a rehabilitation facility. She witnessed many patients who suffered from strokes and traumatic brain injuries. 

One of her co-workers, an occupational therapist, had been successfully teaching adaptive dance classes for years, which Potter said inspired her to start her own.

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., the doors open for children to enter and be their authentic selves. 

Potter said the students are learning classical ballet while mixing in the high-energy jazz and hip-hop styles. Beginning with warm-ups, the class dives into dynamic stretches, across-the-floor technique, short choreography and a cool-down period. Each class is 45 minutes long. 

“We just try to make it really engaging and catering to the kids’ specific interests,” Potter said. “So, if we're working on ballet technique and that is just not what they are interested in, we just go with the flow.” 

The eight-week program runs until Nov. 22. Although it is advertised for children ages 6-9, Potter said the classes aren’t for a strict age group. She said that depending on its success, the center is looking to eventually begin a class for older age groups. 

“I think it’s an awesome opportunity for these kids to get to socialize and see others that also aren’t what you would think of as neurotypical kids in dance,” Potter said. “And, I think it’s really important for everyone to see that dance is for everyone. It’s not just for one specific group.” 

To register for the remaining sessions, visit asburyartscenter.com.