Darby’s Dancers-White Bear Lake
All of White Bear Dance Center is excited to begin our partnership with Darby’s Dancers!
What is this program?
Darby’s Dancers is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by the parents of Darby Jones of Huntsville, Alabama. Darby’s Dancers provides an opportunity for children and young adults with special needs to participate in the performing arts through dance education.
As a member studio the organization will provide us with the resources and tools necessary to have this amazing program at WBDC. At weekly classes, Darby’s Dancers learn all types of dance in a fun, encouraging atmosphere. Dancers in the program gain confidence, coordination, strength and lifelong friends, all while feeling like a star.
Each dancer is paired with a Teenage Volunteer Coach. The volunteer coach helps the dancer by modeling the dance steps, assisting dancers in following class directions and providing companionship/friendship/support.
Cost To Families?
Families/students who participate as a Darby’s dancer, do so for FREE. Through sponsorships and fundraisers will be able to offer these dancers the opportunity to participate in dance.
Who is eligible to be a dancer is Darby’s Dancers-White Bear Lake?
Any child, ages 5 and up, must have a disability as identified in an IEP or physician diagnosis, that prevents them from comfortably participating in a non-adaptive WBDC class.
When are these classes held?
The Fall/Spring season begins 9/10/23 and runs through 5/19/24 ending with a performance in our year end recital in early June. More information about our recital will be available soon.
Sunday 4:00-4:45 ages 5-8 This class is FULL. Waitlist opportunities are available. Please go to online registration for more information.
Sunday 4:45-5:30 ages 9 and up This class is FULL. Waitlist opportunities are available. Please go to online registration for more information.
What does my dancer need to wear?
Comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and clean tennis shoes. WBDC will working with dancers to obtain proper dance shoes once registrations are complete and classes are underway. WBDC will provide all needed costume parts for annual recital
What are the qualifications of the teachers?
Classes are taught by dance professionals who may or may not have specialized training in special education. Volunteers working with the program most likely do not have specialized training. The national organization provides annual training to all chapters and subsidiary access to additional programs.. We provide the best we can with the best of intentions regarding your child with safety as our highest priority. Darby’s Dancers is designed to be an engaging physical and social opportunity for our students but is NOT professional therapy.
How do I register my dancer?
Click HERE! After we receive your registration, we will send you a link to a questionnaire to learn a few more details specifically about your dancer! These classes are limited in enrollment size, so be sure to register your dancer TODAY!
Volunteer Teen Coach Position
The volunteer teenage coach position is a significant part of making the Darby’s Dancers Program successful! Our teen volunteers learn important lessons in responsibility and friendship by providing one-on-one assistance to a special needs dancer. Sharing the love for dance with another dancer will be as rewarding for the coach as it is the dancer.
We are looking for positive, patient, kind and out-going dancers, ages 12 and up, that are looking to volunteer their time. Please click HERE to fill out an application to be a Volunteer Teen Coach!
Interested in making a donation to Darby’s Dancers-White Bear Lake to assist in sponsoring a dancer?
Please email gretchen@whitebeardancecenter.com to learn about various opportunities to donate or sponsor a dancer!