Who We Are...
American DanceWheels is an artistic organization that trains individuals with disabilities, their able-bodied partners, ballroom dance teachers, and occupational and physical therapists the art of Wheelchair Ballroom Dancing.
Melinda Kremer and Ray Leight are the creators of American DanceWheels. They have been developing and performing Wheelchair partner dancing for almost five years and have received national recognition for their innovative style, artistry, and presentation.
Ray and Melinda are the first and current United States wheelchair dancesport competition champions.
Melinda Kremer
Melinda is the co-owner and creative mind behind Generation Access, a company that helps disabled individuals find state of the art disability equipment and accessibility solutions in order to live a fuller and more functional life.
Melinda has a history in the arts. She is a trained classical singer and has performed regularly with the Light Opera Company of Pennsylvania. She also has the distinction of being the able-bodied half of the winning Wheelchair Ballroom Dancesport Championship Team in North America. Melinda has danced for over 10 years and found wheelchair ballroom dancing because of her daughter who is disabled. She has combined her creative talent and passion to help people live a healthier, fuller life by being instrumental in the creation and development of American DanceWheels. She is committed to promoting Wheelchair Ballroom Dancing to the disabled community.
Ray Leight
Ray is an active, thirty-eight year old, with an abundance of knowledge and insight into the world of disabilities. Ray became a paraplegic in 1991 due to an automobile accident. As a result, he found himself facing challenges that he never knew existed. After spending more than one year in a rehabilitation hospital, he re-entered society as a “different man.” As time progressed, Ray realized how much he needed to learn about his new world, and the technology that would ultimately better his own life. His co-ownership of Generation Access has given him the ability to make his and other disabled people’s lives easier and more accessible.
Ray is an avid wheelchair ballroom dance athlete, and is the first Wheelchair Dancesport Champion in North America. Ray also has the honor of chairing the first adaptive dance committee for the United Sates Amateur Ballroom Dance Association. Having a disability has not stopped Ray from reaching his potential. His hope is to help other people with disabilities reach their goals. Ray is currently training for participation in the upcoming World Championships with his competitive partner Aubree Marchione.