Date: Apr 29, 2010

Performance by Hofstra's Dance and Dance Education Programs, and AHRC-Nassau Highlights the Creative and Therapeutic Benefits of Dance

Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Noon; Dempster Hall, Room 209

Hempstead, NY -  Hofstra University’s Dance and Dance Education Programs and the Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC-Nassau) will host a celebratory, end-of-year performance on Wednesday, May 5, at noon at Dempster Hall, Room 209, located on Hofstra’s South Campus. The performance is free and open to the public.

Hofstra’s Dance and Dance Education Programs have been working with the AHRC-Nassau for the past two years to help adults with mental disabilities explore their creativity through dance.  All Hofstra participants volunteer their time by choreographing and leading one hour workshops each week for the AHRC-Nassau participants under the direction of Anita Feldman, director of the Dance Education Program at Hofstra.

The program’s lead instructor, Andrea Kolbe, a senior dance major, said, “Working with the AHRC adults has been an experience I'll never forget. It's not only taught me a lot about teaching dance, but it's given me an opportunity to give back to the community.” Hofstra volunteers are gaining teaching experience and are given the opportunity to impact another person's life.  The AHRC-Nassau adults have shown great improvements from the Hofstra dance workshops.  One student was resistant to moving on the floor, but has since learned how to roll and crawl. Another student, who normally does not talk or relate to others, has shown a totally different side of his personality through dance. 

Port Washington's Sweet Comfort Bakery & Cafe, an organization that also helps developmentally disabled adults to realize their dreams, is donating refreshments for the May 5 celebration.

The Hofstra University Department of Drama and Dance provides students with the opportunity to develop and hone their skills as performers, deepen their appreciation for the arts, and find careers in the theater and beyond. The Dance Program offers two undergraduate degrees: a B.A. in Dance, and a B.S. in Education - Dance Education. Hofstra has approximately 70 dance and dance education majors, and 60 dance minors.

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