The Niles Star

One dancer can’t help but smile as he raises his arms during the YMCA’s new dance class for special needs children. The class meets every Tuesday at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. Daily Star photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

Special needs dance class a hit

Kelsey Wolff put her hands in the air and stretched them way up high toward the ceiling, smiling wide as she did it. Beside her, another dancer laughed and raised her hands, too.

It was just another night in the Niles-Buchanan YMCA’s special needs dance class.

YMCA dance director Maycie Boyle said the class is a great way for special needs kids to get out and have fun.

“It is a great social network for them because they are meeting people just like themselves and finding friends outside of class,” Boyle said. “That is so important because, at home, they might not have someone they can relate to.”

Boyle helped start the class new this year at the request of a parent with a special needs child. She had no experience with special needs kids and didn’t know what to expect.

She found out really quick.

“I have to say this is my favorite class. I just love it,” Boyle said. “They are so much fun and so carefree. When my class is having fun, I am having fun.”

The class, which is for special needs kids 18 and older, takes place at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday.

It lasts 30 minutes and begins with light stretching and what Boyle calls a mirror dance. One person takes center stage in front of the class and improvises a dance. The rest of the class mirrors it.

“It gets them to be creative and move on their own,” Boyle said. “You can see their shells breaking.”

Dancers also work on memory skills by learning a set routine and performing it in class. The class is also conducted by YMCA’s Jessica Fortuna.

It is no wonder the class is becoming a runaway hit. Just three people came to the first class four weeks ago. Now, through word of mouth, the class has grown to 13.

“Kelsey absolutely lights up as soon as she leaves to come here,” said Kelsey’s mother, Brenda Wolff, of Stevensville. “As soon as she leaves the class, she is counting down the days until she can come back. It’s absolutely wonderful that the Y offers this.”

Classes run in seven-week sessions. The next session begins Feb. 19. You don’t have to be a YMCA member to join the class.

Boyle said more special needs classes would be added for the next session, including gymnastics and swimming. All would take place Tuesday, one after the other.

For more information, contact the YMCA at (269) 683-1552.