Over four years ago, Pennsylvania Ballet started a pilot program – Dance for All – with the mission to create an environment where dance is available and accessible to any person who wants to learn and enjoy the benefits of our beloved art form.
Now, thanks to the efforts of former Pennsylvania Ballet soloist Valerie Amiss with the company’s Community Engagement department, Dance for All serves dancers of all ages by providing adaptive classes for children and teenagers with Down Syndrome and classes and outings for the blind and visually impaired.
Ms. Amiss and I had the opportunity to chat about her connection with Pennsylvania Ballet, how Dance for All was planted and continues to grow, and in what ways this experience has impacted and influenced her.
Interview with Valerie Amiss
‣ You have an almost lifelong relationship with Pennsylvania Ballet; how has your experience from student to professional within the organization led you to your current role?
My professional career as a dancer spanned over 15 years at Pennsylvania Ballet, which gave me the opportunity to train and work with many influential people in the ballet world. It is also where I met my husband Edward Cieslak, who was also a former soloist with the company.
I retired as a soloist dancer in 2007 and began teaching at a local ballet school while raising my two children. In 2016, I was asked to teach at the School of Pennsylvania Ballet and joined forces with the Ballet’s Director of Community Engagement Sarah Cooper to launch the Dance for All program for children of all abilities.
Within the early days of teaching the program, I found such gratification from watching my students connect with ballet and with those around them. I was able to witness their continual development and growth, which made me feel like the art form that I love so much could truly make a difference in the life of others and the world around us.
‣ Pennsylvania Ballet is a company committed to investing in the local community. Can you tell us more about the Dance for All program and how your talents have contributed to its expansion?
Pennsylvania Ballet’s Dance for All program allows those with a desire to dance, no matter the age or level of ability, to feel welcome and learn ballet with top notch training. Our program allows students to unlock creativity through dance and instill the confidence they need to continue their learning.
More than my talents, my passion for ballet and the growth of my students has contributed to the program’s expansion. I began writing and tailoring our curriculum for ages 5-10, and 11 years and up, based on what my students were able to accomplish.
We also identified areas in which we could expand to further promote their strength and growth. This level of customization really struck a chord with the parents and contributed to the program’s overall success.
‣ Although many professional dancers go on to become educators in the field, I am of the mindset that a great dancer does not always a great teacher make.
Considering what could be considered an extra challenge in guiding dancers with disabilities, how have you developed your skill set to best serve this population?
I began my role in this field by consulting Roger Ideishi, who serves as a program director of occupational therapy at George Washington University. Roger would take my class with the students and I would merely observe the way in which he would engage and work with them.
After each class, I would meet with Roger to discuss my learnings and apply them with my students moving forward. His mentorship was instrumental in giving me the confidence I needed to become a better teacher for students with all abilities.
I also had the opportunity to work with Occupational Therapist Nancy Ryan, who would leverage her skills to aid in my ballet classes at St. Katherine Day School for Children with Intellectual Disabilities.
I observed her teaching methods closely and what I learned was that every child had a special way of connecting with dance and reacting to music and movement. The program was so well received in the school that some teachers began taking these classes with their students each week.
The second year at the school I approached Principal Lauren Bell with my idea of launching a tailor-made production of The Nutcracker for St. Katherine Day School for Children with Intellectual Disabilities. The production took off in 2019 and allowed the entire school to be a part of The Nutcracker.
‣ What obstacles has Dance for All faced – and hopefully, overcome! – due to the pandemic? Have these in any way shaped how the program is being developed going forward?
I was initially nervous about holding virtual classes through Zoom because I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to connect with my students without the in-person experience.
I made minor adjustments to make sure that each class was as engaging as possible; I cheered them on just like in class by calling out each student’s name and highlighted their accomplishments by pinning their video during a virtual class to let them know that I’m still able to see their accomplishments even though we’re not physically together.
Overall, I was impressed with how quickly my students adapted to virtual learning. They’re just as comfortable and focused in their home as they were in our studios. In fact, last night one of our students started dancing with her father in the middle of our class and it was one of many wonderful moments I got to witness as a teacher.
Virtual learning has allowed other members of the organization to contribute, as well. Pennsylvania Ballet’s Music Director and Conductor Beatrice Affron will play the violin for students in an upcoming class and I am very excited to see this surprise come to life for our students.
I’d like to continue this type of collaboration with various company members and influential artists moving forward.
‣ Are you working on anything in particular right now with your class?
We are currently working on Swan Lake and getting the students familiarized with the characters and the story. The students are also learning the Czárdás, which they will perform virtually with live music by Affron.
In addition to this, we’re also diving further into ballet barre exploration and I’m noticing that their movements are becoming more dynamic with each class, which is wonderful to see.
‣ You are a person that exudes passion, Valerie, and with that energy often comes a whirlwind of ideas! Can you share any of these with us?!
I’d love to eventually evolve our program into providing integrated classes for all ages and stages of life. I have so many ideas for the future and I’m looking forward to watching them take shape.
Ballet is so magical, and I want everyone who wants to experience the art form to have the opportunity and feel welcomed to join our Dance for All program.
Featured Image for this Interview with Valerie Amiss © Vikki Sloviter, courtesy of Pennsylvania Ballet
