Black Dirt Dance opens classes for autistic students

Eve McClanahan, NYS Certified dance teacher and owner/director and of Black Dirt Dance, Ltd, is now teaching a ballet class exclusively for autistic girls. Bella Ballerinas meet every Saturday in Pine Island. “The girls love to dance, and my goal is to eventually have the girls participate in a ballet class that is not limited to autistic children,” said McClanahan. “Meg Richmond of Vernon approached me frustrated because another dance school promptly refunded her money after her daughter Becky; a highly functioning autistic child took just one class,“ McClanahan said. “I feel if they had just given her a couple more chances, things would have been different,” she added. “I responded that I would be happy to help and that I thought Meg had found the right place!” At Black Dirt Dance, McClanahan looks forward to Becky’s progress. “She connects with me more each lesson; hearing, following directions and carrying them out. This is an important element of ballet: learning the class structure and adhering to the discipline involved. “I am so glad that Meg had the persistence in belief in her child. Because now I get to experience the joys of Becky. The joy that each lesson brings me is indescribable. I love to watch Becky lavish in the kinesthetic joy of a spin and how the effects of dizziness make her smile. “She is privy to dancing in a way that most will never dare to explore,” she continued, “experiencing movement at the visceral level.” For more information on this class as well as a music therapy class for boys (taught by a certified male instructor), contact McClanahan at Black Dirt Dance, at 845-258-1100.