Teacher's Seminar - July 2009
Congratulations to our new American DanceWheels Foundation’s (ADF) affiliate instructors.
The twenty-one hour weekend seminar was both challenging and fun. All of the new instructors spent time learning both the seated and standing parts and I am sure that all of them have a newfound respect for the precision and strength that is required to dance in and with a wheelchair.
Melanie Dale and Frank Spears from A Step to Gold International in Raleigh, North Carolina, decided to take the course because of Frank’s ties to the disability community and in particular service dogs. Their energy and insight were a great help during the three day marathon and we are grateful for their interest in our program!!!
Melissa Mahady Wilton from Canada DanceSport in Kingston, Ontario Canada is a seasoned dancer and teacher of International wheelchair dancesport as well as other adaptive dance forms. Her vast knowledge of people with disabilities and her graceful and compassionate personality was a fantastic addition to the classes. Melissa brought her wheelchair dance student,
Karen Blachford, also from Kingston, Ontario Canada to the seminar. Karen, a Paralympic wheelchair athlete and gold curling medalist is new to wheelchair dancing, but has already brought her competitive and athletic drive to the dance floor. We are sure that we will be seeing Karen on the competition floor very soon!!!
Len Diana from Hartford, Connecticut says he thinks he has “found his calling”. Len has been dancing for years and has been an amateur competitor and scrutinier for competitions on the east coast. Len has big plans for wheelchair ballroom and Latin dancing in his community and we wish him great success in everything he does!!!
Linsey Heane from Waldorf, Maryland hopes to use wheelchair ballroom and Latin dancing for patients when she begins her physical therapy career. Linsey is a recent graduate of the University of Delaware and a one of the students that participated in the accredited wheelchair dance course at the University. She has also been a performer and volunteer for ADF. Linsey always has a smile and a warm hello for everyone and we know she will be a wonderful instructor!!!
Pat Grim from Newark, Delaware is the head of the school of nursing and the director of the University of Delaware able-bodied ballroom and Latin dance team. Pat has been instrumental in bringing the wheelchair dancing to the University and we appreciate and applaud her effort. We are thrilled that Pat is now a part of our team!!!!
Robert Hansberry also from Newark, Delaware, is a vice president at Bank of America and a Marine. His interest in the community led him to us and he has been a standing dancer, competitor, performer, etc. for ADF for over a year. Rob’s stature and athletic and competitive nature prove that dancing is for EVERYONE!!!
Congratulations to Carina Talmay from West Sussex England, a recent graduate of ADF’s program. Carina just landed her first occupational therapy position at the most prestigious rehab center in the region. Go Carina!!!
