My social justice group had the honor to meet and have an interview with Rebecca Elbogen, who is the New York Representative for Ballet For All Kids.
Rebecca has been working with the organization since she was in high school. She grew up in Los Angeles, and was a dedicated ballerina, dancing everyday throughout her teen years. While she was dancing, her team shared a dance studio with Ballet For All Kids, which is an organization that offers the opportunity for kids with all abilities to dance. Rebecca noticed that Ballet For All Kids taught the disabled children how to dance with bright props, fun moves and music, which was extremely different from her intense and strict ballet class. This class intrigued Rebecca and so she started volunteering with program to work with the kids in the dance class. Rebecca knew that she always wanted to work with children, and she loved dancing, so working with the program combined both of her passions, and at the same time she was bringing justice to the world.
This organization was perfect for her, and she continued to work with the program, and eventually became a dance teacher. Today Rebecca is 21 and is the head teacher for the New York Studio, Ballet For All Kids, and is at NYU medical school trying to get a psychology degree to help with her understanding of the children’s minds in the dance classes. Rebecca has been working with the children for years now, and has special connections with many of the dancers.
Rebecca talked to us about her experience working with the disabled dancers, and how Ballet For All Kids uses The Schlachte Method, which accommodates with all the different disabilities the children have. Rebecca said that she becomes really connected with the dancers and watching them improve bring her so much joy.
Ballet For All Kids is one of the few organizations that offers disabled kids a chance to stay active, and also offers a social opportunity for these children to meet others like themselves.
Rebecca is a special person, and she is dedicated to her work of helping the kids, and embraces it with enthusiasm and a warmness that most do not have.
Later on in the year we hope to do some volunteer work with the organization and work directly with the amazing dancers, and the unbelievable community volunteers and teachers.
