The Dance Movement Project

The Dance Movement Project was founded by Donlavy Dance Company, Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks, the Therapeutic Recreation Division of the City of Los Angeles. and the Jay Nolan Community Services in 2006.  This project is made possible, in part, for the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

2008 Program begins on January 23, 2008! 

Click here to see a class video!

Mission

The Dance Movement Project was designed as an outlet for people with developmental disabilities (Autism, Asperger's Syndrome).  The DMP seeks  to provide access to recreational and arts programs and classes to an underserved audience. The DMP offers a unique series of classes specifically for those 'individuals' with special needs.

Individuals participating in its second round of classes will enhance gross motor skills, build endurance while developing social skills in a nurturing team playing environment.  Ballroom, Hip-Hop and Line Dancing are forms of movement taught. Dances are introduced and subsequently mastered by students in a "call and response" format asking instructor and student to demonstrate skills learned.

The dance steps are "easy and attainable", says Mr. Donlavy. A live musician accompanies every class in hopes of increasing the students awareness of basic and complex rhythms, dance patterns and sense of self in space. Each class builds upon the previous class lesson providing the student with many opportunities to review and succeed. The DMP  is a nurturing, hands-on class environment where there is a "NO Exclusion" policy.  No one is left out! Everyone involved is encourage, congratulated and rewarded for their participation.  

The program was created to offer classes for  to an underserved community needing "special attention."

Program Details

The 2008 Program will be held on Wednesdays,1:30pm to 3:00pm, beginning January 23, 2008 at:

Encino Community Center 4935 Balboa Boulevard Encino, CA  91316 Phone: (818) 995-1690 http://www.laparks.org/valley/encino.htm

FROM: Address or Intersection: City: State: ZIP Code: Country: Canada United States

History

In 2006,Samuel Donlavy was approached by the parent of a young woman with Autism.  She asked Mr. Donlavy if he could provide individual dance instruction. He did better. Community organizations like the Donlavy Dance Company  and the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks met and devised its initial program. A  6 month pilot program was launched in collaboration with Jay Nolan Community Services and Sylmar Recreation Center. The program generated immediate success.  Classes were full.  Organizations, recreational therapists and arts educators like Mr. Donlavy donated their time and resources to the project. The programs end of year event featured DMP dancers in its first production in December,  2006. The first year the program generated an enthusiastic team considerable interest still lacking suitable funding.

Mr. Donlavy, the Jay Nolan Foundation and the City of Los Angeles Therapeutic Division along with the LA City Department of Recreation and Parks all worked together to keep the program alive without resources.  In order to ensure the program would survive, Mr. Donlavy sought grants and assistance to continue the program and make it a permanent offering for those who truly need it.  Thanks to a grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles, this is now a reality. 

Mr. Donlavy was awarded the Artist in Residence Grant for the 2007-2008 year in order to pursue the Dance Movement Project.  This will now enable this program to continue and be a reality for individuals with developmental  disabilities.