Children's Up Close: Adaptive Dance
Music echoes across the studio floor and off the mirrored walls. The instructor extends his arms skyward and holds the pose so his students can learn to mimic it. The students themselves are clad in white and black leotards, and concentrate closely on the routine they're learning. It's a typical Saturday morning at Boston Ballet, with one major exception: Every child and teenager in the studio has Down syndrome.

They're part of a groundbreaking collaboration between Children's Hospital Boston and Boston Ballet, called the Adaptive Dance Program, that gives them the opportunity to explore the physical and creative aspects of dance while also learning social skills that will serve them in every other facet of their lives.

These photos are from a recent rehearsal; they were captured by photographer Webb Chappell. Learn more about Adaptive Dance in this article from Children's Dream magazine and in this video about the program.

The Adaptive Dance Program started in 2002 with one class and 11 children. Today, there are four classes and 40 children, ranging in age from 7 to 18

Angela Lombardo, left, is the mother of Isaiah, right, who has been involved in the Adaptive Dance Program since it started in 2002. Angela is also the coordinator of Children's Hospital Boston's Down syndrome program.

Gianni Di Marco, right, a long-time Boston Ballet dancer, was recruited by Mickey Cassella, PT, director of Children's Department of Physical and Occupational Therapy, to lead the first Adaptive Dance class. "I just knew that he had the right personality and the right temperament to work with the children," says Cassella. "He's incredibly creative and very, very enthusiastic and very, very patient and has a terrific sense of humor."

Angela Lombardo says Adaptive Dance has helped Isaiah and the other children in the class, "improve turn control, improve balance, [learn to] follow directions, to learn steps and mimic them...[and that] overlaps into school and into following directions."

Isaiah (center) and the other children have grown along with the Adaptive Dance program. "They support each other, cheer each other on, watch out for each other," says Angela Lombardo. "It's like a little family in a way because they've been together for a long time."

I've seen this progress that's been overwhelming," says instructor Gino Di Marco. "The idea of [these children] making dance something that's made them better people ñ it's the nature of what dance does to one's being. I can speak loudly about that because it's done it for my life, but I never knew it had that power to reach all kinds of people; I would say anybody can enrich themselves with dance. And so for me having been introduced to this class and being able to see the development of these children has been the most overwhelming thing of my life."

"This class was designed so that the children could have fun, so that they could interact with one another, so that they could really learn an appreciation for music and develop a love for music," says Mickey Cassella.

"These children perhaps don't have the inclination [to move their bodies] when they are younger," says Gino Di Marco. "But the music, the stop and start and the rhythm of the drum beat have helped them understand the process of moving and controlling their bodies."

"I am so proud of their accomplishments because they are doing it. We have given them the opportunity and they have blossomed. And that's what it's all about," says Mickey Cassella.