By Elizabeth Barnes and Maya Mincak, Youth Community Fund
A Class for Everyone
Ana Dimas’ after school ballet classes have been beloved by the Bronxville community since their establishment in 2012. But more recently, Dimas launched a new ballet program for special needs residents (high-school aged and older) of the BET community. Bronxville Ballet Not for Sale provides a vibrant opportunity for both dancers and student volunteers to learn, grow, and dance.
The program is funded by grants from the Youth Community Fund (YCF), a coalition of high school students across Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe passionate about making a positive difference in their community. Through fundraising and service efforts, members of the YCF work together to raise money for various local non-profit organizations. Bronxville Ballet Not For Sale is one such example of the outcome of their dedication to community service.
A typical class consists of a warm-up and stretch to get everyone moving, followed by an obstacle course, which always finishes with a big round of applause for each dancer upon completion. We also practice whole-group choreographed dances, adding onto the routine each class in preparation for the year-end performance.
Yet Bronxville Ballet Not for Sale is so much more than a dance class; it is a valuable opportunity for new friendships to be formed. There is ample time for conversation, allowing volunteers and dancers to get to know one another and connect on a personal level. Dimas cites this experience as a “great way to find empathy,” saying that she really enjoys “watching everybody learn about each other and really getting to know one another.” She emphasizes that this experience not only brings joy to the dancers but also leaves a lasting impact on the volunteers, who gain a deeper appreciation for the unique perspectives of their dance partners. “I want the kids to learn how to care,” says Dimas. “I often think to myself, ‘Wow, if we all treated each other [with this much kindness], we would have a much nicer, kinder world…we would get along a lot better.’”
This experience is equally as rewarding for us volunteers. We come out of each class with an understanding of the impact compassion can have and constantly witness how even the smallest acts of kindness, as simple as a word of encouragement, significantly impact on the dancers. Bronxville Ballet Not for Sale has created a space where students feel valued and supported, allowing them to grow not only in their dance skills but also in their confidence. This program exemplifies the power of empathy, kindness, and community, and we feel truly honored to contribute to something that inspires such joy for everyone involved.
Photo credit: Matt Dixon
