Cartesion Dance Academy is proud to offer Darby’s Dancers, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) program founded by the parents of Darby Jones of Huntsville, Alabama. This incredible program provides children and young adults with physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in the performing arts through dance education.

Cartesion Dance Academy is honored to be the first chapter in the state of Pennsylvania to offer this program. Sadly, Darby—whose passion and love for dance inspired this organization—passed away in 2013 at the young age of 14. Her parents wanted to do something meaningful to honor her memory, and Darby’s Dancers was created as a way to keep her love for dance alive and share it with children across the country.

Darby’s Dancers is an adaptive dance program designed for children ages 5 and up and will be on a first come first serve basis. Classes meet once a week in a supportive, encouraging environment where dancers gain confidence, coordination, strength, and lifelong friendships—all while experiencing the joy of dance and feeling like a star. The program starts in October and runs through the school year, ending with an optional performance in our year-end Recital in May!

Darby’s Dancers also provides volunteer opportunities for teens to be a “buddy”. Our youth volunteers learn important lessons in responsibility and friendship by providing one-on-one assistance to each of Darby’s dancers.

Darby’s Dancers classes are taught by volunteer dance instructors and take place in donated studio space on Saturdays from 9:00-9:30am. The charitable contributions of youth volunteers, dance instructors, donated studio space, fundraisers and other local business donations the program is offered at minimal expense to the participating families.

 

To learn more about Darby’s Dancers National Chapter please visit their website…. https://darbysdancers.org/