Dance, dance, dance

WESTWOOD

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This article was published 03/05/2023 (970 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Westwood-based dance instructor can continue teaching dance to children with special needs, thanks to a $20,000 grant from Desjardins Group.

Owner Amanda Nuttall said Groundwork Dance Studio was one of 10 Canadian arts and cultural organizations to receive the GoodSpark Grant from Desjardins, a national financial services co-operative.

The funds will allow her to study and gain skills that will enable her to interact with students, including American Sign Language. She will also be able to build a team so every child who wants to dance has the opportunity.

“It was pretty shocking, actually,” Nuttall said. “We’re very grateful. We felt very special to be chosen for it because we feel strongly about what we’re doing.”

Nuttall is an experienced performer with 28 years of training in many styles of dance, including jazz, acrobatics, tap, musical theatre, lyrical, hip-hop, and ballet. A graduate of Toronto’s Randolph College for the Performing Arts, she is a certified instructor with Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, a rhythm and dance program designed for those with learning differences and special needs, as well as the Acro Dance Teachers Association of Canada.

Nuttall returned to Winnipeg from Toronto two years ago to open Groundwork, where she teaches all classes. A crucial part of her vision for the studio was providing opportunities for children who often miss out on enjoying the arts.

Over her 15 years of teaching, Nuttall occasionally noticed children struggling with specific movements or who were bothered by loud music. She began learning how to create classes where these kids could thrive. There were also meetings with physical, occupational and behavioural therapists and dance teachers. These eventually led to the creation of a unique program structure that welcomes people with special needs, such as neurodiversity and sensory processing challenges. Small class sizes allow for more teacher-student interaction.

“I’d been teaching 15 years, and I wanted to do something different,” Nuttall said. “I asked myself who’s missing out on dance and what’s stopping them. It’s become a huge passion of mine. We offer different learning styles and groups depending on where the students are at in their learning. It’s a way to make sure that anyone can dance.”

Nuttall’s heart is warmed by the results she regularly sees. Children learning how they best learn and becoming more confident as they do. Finding new forms of expression. Developing a sense of accomplishment.

“It’s empowering for them to see they can do this,” Nuttall said.

The mother of two pre-school-aged children, Nuttall loves seeing her kids grow and is passionate about bringing that feeling to others. She calls it life- and character-changing.

“I’m so happy for them,” Nuttall admitted. “It fills my cup of joy. Dance gives me joy; when I see someone else getting some joy out of it, I know I share what makes me happy with them. I’m lucky to be a part of it all.”

Groundwork Dance Studio is located at 449 St. Charles St. For more information, call 431-556-4596 or visit groundworkdance.ca