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 and Latin Dancing. Seminars for professional dance teachers and
therapists are held so that this method of wheelchair dancing can be taught to wheelchair users in all communities.
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 Executive Director
Melinda Kremer is a trained classical singer from the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. She is a coloratura soprano who performed with the Light Opera Company of Pennsylvania in musical theatre and light operetta. One of Melinda’s passions is ballroom and Latin dancing. She and her husband, Stuart, danced and competed for more than seven years.
In 1996, Melinda’s eleven year old daughter became physically disabled and needed to use a wheelchair for mobility. At the same time, Ray Leight came on the scene. Ray also needed to use a wheelchair due to an accident he sustained at the age of twenty. With Ray’s athleticism, Melinda’s support, and one willing dance teacher Ray joined Melinda and Stuart’s dance group. It was obvious from the beginning that Ray had tremendous potential as a dancer and Melinda was the perfect partner for him. Melinda and Ray practiced and perfected their dancing and eventually went on to win the first Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin DanceSport Championship in North America. They have traveled throughout the country and Canada promoting wheelchair ballroom and Latin dancing so that people with and without disabilities realize that everyone can dance.
Melinda co-founded American DanceWheels Foundation (ADF) and co-authored the Wheel One™ Wheelchair Ballroom and Latin Dance curriculum. She has taught hundreds of dancers using wheelchairs as well as their able-bodied partners in ADF classes and performance venues.
Melinda’s daughter, Jenna, a college student at Ursinus College, was also a wheelchair dancer taking both private and group lessons. Jenna passed away in 2007, but she is still the heart and soul of the organization. Melinda’s passion is to help people with physical disabilities live healthier, fuller lives through knowledge and social integration. What better way than through dance?
Ray Leight
Ray is an active person 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.
Board of Directors |
Advisory Board |
Stephanie Corp Maguire (Chair) |
Rob Hansberry |
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Ann Cope |
Diane Murphy |
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Laurie Coffman |
John Russo |
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Dennis D. D’Andrea |
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Ralph Ferretti |
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Stuart Kremer (Treasurer) |
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Robert L. Swartz Esq. (Vice President) |
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Head Choreographer |
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Lisa Bentley |
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