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Music & Motion

Maryland Youth Ballet offers therapeutic dance instruction to dancers with physical disabilities through its “Music and Motion” classes.

Inaugurated in 2004, the Music and Motion class provides disabled dancers the opportunity to experience the beauty of moving to music, the fun and excitement of dance, and the discipline of challenging oneself to achieve.

With the unveiling of its new Silver Spring Dance facility in January 2007, the Maryland Youth Ballet gives children with disabilities the ability to reach new heights. A state-of-the-art overhead track system allows each dancer to participate without the aid of a volunteer. The dancers are suspended with the aid of a vest sling and attached to a traverse rail system hung in the ceiling giving the dancers complete range of motion. The system, designed by Liko AB, a Swedish medical equipment manufacturer, and installed by Access Aid, a Maryland accessibility company, is a first of its kind application.

Music & Motion is the innovation of MYB’s Jennifer Cox, a 30- year dance professional, and Rebecca Leonard, a licensed physical therapist specializing in pediatric physical therapy. Inspired by her own granddaughter’s desire to dance despite disabilities, Mrs. Cox developed the program to allow the children to enjoy the beauty of music and motion, and gain the benefits of the physical therapy.

“The most recent research in physical therapy indicates that partial weight bearing therapy is among the most promising in developing large motor skills,” said Rebecca Leonard.

The “Music & Motion” program offers both physical and mental benefits that far exceed many of the traditional therapies available. The overhead track system gives instructors the chance to develop new programs, whereas previous efforts would have been limited to the ability of volunteers.

 

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