Ashburn Academy Of Dance Brings "Darby's Dancers," A Special Needs Dancing Program, To Their Ashburn Studio This Fall

Ashburn Academy of Dance may be in its sixteenth year, but owners Anne Marie Kimmell and Katie Beliveau are continually looking for ways to expand and offer new opportunities to the community. This fall they are proud to bring Darby’s Dancers, a non-profit, nation-wide program for special needs children to their studio. Darby’s Dancers was founded by the parents of Darby Jones, who was born with Down syndrome and lived her life with passion, kindness, bravery and optimism, and found great joy in dancing. The Darby’s Dancers program is funded 100% by fundraising, enabling special needs children to participate with tuition, costumes and dance shoes provided to them at no cost. Each dancer in the program will be paired with an Ashburn Academy of Dance dancer during the classes.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring Darby’s Dancers to our studio,” said Anne Marie Kimmell, co-owner of Ashburn Academy of Dance. “Parents of special needs children have dealt with so much after receiving a diagnosis, and in many cases parents have to readjust what their hopes and dreams are for their children’s future. A program like this can restore a parent’s lost dream. Seeing their children onstage is so rewarding. We think this program beautifully aligns with our motto here, ‘Making great dancers… Making great people!’ We couldn’t be happier to enrich the lives of more members of our community.”

At the weekly classes, Darby’s Dancers learn different types of dance in a fun, encouraging atmosphere. Two Ashburn Academy of Dance instructors, Colleen Giardina and Katie Hooper, will be teaching the Darby’s Dancers classes this fall. The classes will help build confidence, coordination, strength and lifelong friendships in a nurturing environment. Youth volunteers will also learn valuable lessons in responsibility and friendship by being involved.

"My husband Patrick and I wanted to honor our daughter Darby’s legacy after she passed away from leukemia in 2013. Dancing, performing and being with her friends brought Darby so much joy. We wanted to bring that joy and happiness to as many children with special needs as possible,” said Valerie Jones, founder of Darby’s Dancers. “We are excited that Ashburn Academy of Dance is bringing this program to their studio this fall so that we can help other children dance with abandon, make new friends, learn new skills and have the chance to be the part of a dance family.”

Ashburn Academy of Dance offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary and aerial skills classes. They are currently accepting enrollment for summer and fall classes. Ashburn Academy of Dance is located at 21690 Red Rum Drive, Suite 172 in Ashburn, Virginia. They also offer classes in Purcellville at the Carver Center. For more information about Darby’s Dancers or any of their other programs, please visit their website www.ashburnballet.com or call their studio at 703-723-8089.