Jo's Footwork Dance Ensemble Performs at The Birches

Three years ago dance instructor Connie Sweeney decided she wanted to teach the students in her dance ensemble more than just how to plié— she wanted to teach them how to use their love of dance to help others.

As she tried to figure out how she and her students could use their passion for dance to benefit the community, she had a flashback to when she was young dancer in a dance ensemble that gave performances at assisted living communities and nursing homes.

“Being able to do that for that specific age group, for people who don’t really get out or those who are ill or recovering— it just felt good as a person to make somebody else’s day a little bit brighter,” Sweeney said, reflecting on her memories as a young dancer.

Sweeney decided to call local assisted living communities to see if they would allow her students to give dance performances for their residents. One of the assisted living communities she called was The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills.

On April 11, 2015, three years after Sweeney made that initial phone call, Sweeney’s dance troupe gave their third performance at The Birches, and they hope to continue performing there for many years to come.

“When I called The Birches that first year, they said they’d love to have us,” said Sweeney. “We just had such a good experience, and the people there were so lovely to work with that now I’ll probably ask them every year.”

Sweeney’s dance ensemble is composed of girls between the ages of 10 and 17 who are trained in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, hip-hop and lyrical dance. Sweeney says when they give their performances for the residents, both her students and the residents light up.

“We always hand out flowers to everybody that is there watching, and all the girls just love putting a smile on their faces and they just seem to have a good time,” said Sweeney.

The residents, Sweeney says, are always eager to ask questions after the performance and interact with the girls. They have also been known to help the girls through any technical difficulties they experience during the performance.

“One year our sound system wasn’t working, and the residents were clapping and shouting and trying to help us move along which made it more fun,” said Sweeney. “They always ask the girls questions after. They say, ‘Oh I can’t believe you’re that flexible’ or ‘How can you do all those dances?’ They love to just talk to all the girls.”

In addition to these community performances, the dance ensemble practices all year to put on a professional dance performance on a theater stage, with professional lighting, costumes and choreography. Although the girls look forward to this high-profile performance, Sweeney says their performances at The Birches and other assisted living communities are a welcome change of pace because they teach the girls to forget about themselves and focus on others instead.

“It’s a good experience overall for the kids to give back to their community. They always leave there laughing, and it’s nice to be like ‘Okay it’s not about us anymore,’” said Sweeney.

The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills is a premier retirement community dedicated to providing professional services that support its residents’ physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth. The Birches offers a full calendar of purposeful programs and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.