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EMBRACING INCLUSIVITY: THE VITAL ROLE OF DANCE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

Dance empowers individuals to assert their independence and worth, granting them agency as active participants and collaborators in a world often rife with limitations.

My name is Sammie, one of the dance teachers here at Kinect Performing Arts. As a facilitator, my journey has led me to work with diverse individuals, including those with disabilities or learning difficulties. Throughout my experience in the disability sector, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of dance and music in fostering connections and understanding among people with disabilities. Dance serves as a universal language, transcending verbal communication barriers and swiftly uniting individuals from varied backgrounds.

For many living with disabilities, dance becomes a profound means of self-expression, allowing them to convey emotions and thoughts with depth and clarity. Moreover, dance empowers individuals to assert their independence and worth, granting them agency as active participants and collaborators in a world often rife with limitations.

Engaging with individuals, especially young people, living with disabilities has been an enlightening journey for me as a facilitator. It has underscored the importance of adaptability in my teaching approach, prompting me to ensure venue accessibility, offer alternative choreography options, and adjust teaching methods to cater to diverse needs effectively.

Beyond personal growth, this journey has sparked vital conversations within the Dance and Arts communities about the imperative of accessibility and inclusivity. Dance, historically perceived as an elitist art form, has perpetuated rigid standards that exclude certain bodies and attributes, favouring flexibility and strength over other equally valuable qualities. This narrow focus fails to accommodate individuals with disabilities, challenging us to reassess our benchmarks of success and redefine the essence of Dance and Performing Arts.

In striving for inclusivity, we must collectively reevaluate our practices and culture to embrace individuals with disabilities fully. This is why Kinect Performing Arts customised their programs for each school so we can embrace diversity in our teaching methods and foster creative approaches to dance facilitation. We understand that we pave the way for a future generation of dancers that celebrates inclusivity and diversity.

In essence, dance programs for children and young people living with disabilities serve as catalysts for social change, dismantling barriers and nurturing a more inclusive and empathetic society. As we continue to innovate and adapt in our dance practices, we foster a space where every individual, regardless of ability, can find their voice and shine brightly on stage.

Want to see us in action? Contact us to see if your school is eligible for a free dance workshop today!

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Meet Savannah Young

Savannah’s love of dance began at a young age and grew through years of training and performing with the Victorian Ballet School. Having explored ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical, and musical theatre, she developed a deep appreciation for dance as both an artform and a way for children to express themselves freely.

With a background in psychology from the University of Melbourne, Savannah brings a thoughtful understanding of how children learn, feel, and grow. She believes that dance should be a space where every student feels safe, included, and capable, no matter their experience. Her bubbly, energetic presence helps students relax, give it a go, and discover what they can achieve when they feel supported.

In the classroom, Savannah focuses on creating joyful, engaging lessons that prioritise confidence over perfection. She loves watching students surprise themselves, connect with their peers, and find pride in simply trying something new. Savannah sees movement as a powerful tool for building resilience and self-belief, which is why she is so passionate about the work she does with Kinect Performing Arts.

Outside of teaching, Savannah enjoys live local music, community theatre, and the excitement of dance competitions. These experiences continue to inspire the creativity she brings into every program.

Meet Indi Maynard

Indi is a passionate dancer and educator whose journey began at the age of three. Growing up immersed in the world of dance, she quickly discovered that movement was more than just a hobby, it was her calling. Her dedication to the artform led her to pursue full-time training in Sydney in 2022, where she studied under some of the country’s leading professionals and gained valuable insight into the demands of the dance industry.

Since then, Indi has continued to build her career in Melbourne, performing professionally and expanding her experience wherever she can. But it’s in the classroom that Indi truly shines. With over five years of teaching experience, she brings joy, encouragement, and a student-first mindset to every session. She loves nothing more than helping young dancers discover their potential, build confidence, and express themselves through movement.

At Kinect Performing Arts, Indi is known for her infectious energy, nurturing presence, and commitment to creating a positive and inclusive space for all students, regardless of their dance background.

When she’s not teaching in schools, you’ll likely find Indi at the gym, and spending time with her friends. Her love for life and dance shines through in everything she does.

Meet Jordyn Fitzgerald

Jordyn has been immersed in the world of dance since the age of two, growing up and dancing in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne. Her early passion for movement blossomed through years of training and performance, leading her to pursue full-time studies at Transit Dance. Jordyn trained under the mentorship of renowned industry professionals, refining her technique and developing a deep understanding of dance. During this time, she also discovered her passion for teaching, working with both recreational and competitive students.

Jordyn’s experience as an instructor helped her cultivate a nurturing teaching style, fostering talent and instilling a love for dance in her students.

Now, Jordyn is excited to bring her expertise and vibrant energy to Kinect Performing Arts. As part of the team, she engages with a diverse range of children across primary schools, where she’s passionate about creating an inclusive and inspiring environment that helps each student fall in love with dance.

Meet Kyle Broomfield

Kyle is a dynamic dance educator and choreographer, who brings an infectious passion for dance education to his role as Head of Programs and Partnerships at Kinect Performing Arts. Since joining the team in 2022, Kyle has been instrumental in expanding the reach of Kinect Performing Arts’s programs across Victoria, engaging students from diverse backgrounds and helping them build confidence, creativity, and self-expression through dance.

A graduate of Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, Kyle’s performance experience includes high-profile credits like Tones & I, Peppa Pig, the AFL Grand Final Footy Show, Mad Max (White Night), Australia’s Got Talent, and KIIS FM. But his true calling lies in teaching, where his love for dance and education intersects. At Kinect Performing Arts, Kyle has spearheaded new initiatives that focus on inclusive, child-centered learning, ensuring every student feels empowered to ‘give it a go,’ regardless of their previous experience.

Kyle holds a Diploma in Dance (Elite Performance), a Certificate in Dance Teaching and Management, and Technical Production. Kyle continues to inspire students and schools across Victoria, helping young people unlock their full potential through movement and creativity.

Outside the classroom, Kyle’s love for dance is matched by his enthusiasm for Taylor Swift and his fondness for all things pink!

Meet Bree Shaw

Kinect Performing Arts began with Bree’s belief that every child deserves the opportunity to feel confident, included and successful through movement.

Kinect was born on the Mornington Peninsula from a simple idea: create safe, inclusive spaces where students could explore movement alongside their peers, without fear of getting it wrong. What began as a small school dance program has grown into one of Australia’s largest and most successful Performing Arts companies.

With more than 18 years of experience teaching in schools and a lifelong background in dance, Bree has seen first-hand the impact that Performing Arts can have on young people. Not just in building performance skills, but in shaping confidence, resilience and belonging. Bree’s philosophy is grounded in positivity and participation. She believes that in a school environment, where so much learning has a right or wrong answer, the Arts offer something powerful. Space to interpret. Space to try. Space to grow.

As Bree says:

“To build students’ confidence and resilience, they need the opportunity to learn without fear of being wrong. In many subjects there is a correct answer. In the Arts, interpretation allows individuality. The simple act of giving it a go is success.”

Today, Bree leads Kinect with the same commitment she began with: creating environments where students feel safe to try, supported to grow and proud of what they achieve together.