"We bring professional dancers into the schools to share this art form with these special children which enables them to participate in the beauty and grace of dance.” – Zina Bethune, Artistic Director

"Infinite Dreams continues to show a commitment to providing educational access to the arts for students with disabilities; and for strengthening partnerships with local public schools. It is with great pleasure that (we) support a program dedicated to the creation of a more inclusive society.” – Soula Antinou, VSA/arts- an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; and Dennis White, President and CEO, MetLife Foundation

The Infinite Dreams program targets children and youth that exhibit two or more of the following risk factors: physically and/or cognitively challenged; poverty/very low family income; specific learning problems in school; and assessed inability to access community resources and services. Conducted year-round at school and community sites, during and afterschool and on weekends, the Infinite Dreams program includes:

(a) up to a 46-week dance residency and curriculum;
(b) 20-hour dramatic arts workshop;
(c) 5-hour career development workshop; and
(d) performances for peers, parents and general public accompanied by presentation of certificates of completion to students.

Special needs populations served by the Infinite Dreams program include: visual and hearing challenged, orthopedic, aphasic, TMR, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spin bifida, spinal cord injury, multiple disabilities, Multiple Sclerosis, emotional, developmental and learning disabilities, Muscular Dystrophy, Attention-Deficit (ADD)/Hyperactivity Disorder (HD), and others.

"As an administrator who has served special and regular education students over the past twenty-two years, it is indeed a joy to see students –who, by virtue of their handicapping condition, learn at a very slow rate –learn to socialize quickly, attend readily to their instructions, and are demonstrably thrilled with their ‘artistic expression.” – Brian C. Cowie, Principal, George Washington Carver School

"Thanks to your staff, the students have had, for the past four years, the transcendent opportunity to perform on stage before hundreds of appreciative audience members at the Very Special Arts Festival. There is obviously incalculable benefit to their self-esteem and motivation gained by this opportunity, which has never been available through other channels.” – Harriet Harmon, Special Education Teacher, Hollywood High School

Size of Population Served is Significant

The Dept. of Education, State of California (2006), reported that of the 1,734,125 students enrolled in 80 Los Angeles County School Districts:

• 10% were from a special needs population;
• 83.5% were non-white (overwhelmingly diverse);
• 62.4% participate/qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program (economically disadvantaged);
• For nearly one-third of all students, English is a second language

Beyond the Classroom

"Inherent in every passage of music, every series of dance steps, and every dramatic exploration is the celebration of individual expression.” – Zina Bethune, Artistic Director

"This dance program helps to replenish the important aspect of a child’s education. Many students are able to learn the other facets of the curriculum more effectively because of their ability to express themselves and participate through programs that emphasize the arts.” – Judith A. Washington, Principal, Daniel Freeman Elementary School

The U.S. Department of Education (Rehabilitation Services Administration, 2000) recognized that to help reach their fullest potential, children and youth with special needs must be reached at an early age and provided a continuous and supportive lifelong learning experience. The Infinite Dreams curriculum envisions that each child fully experience the process by which skills in the performing arts are acquired, appreciate the aesthetics within each of us, and understand the demands of such a career. Each participant, whether they pursue a career in the performing arts or not, will gain a learning experience they will take with them, beyond the classroom.

"The goal is for each Infinite Dreams student to experience the value of the performing arts as integral parts of their individual quality of life, growth, and process of lifelong learning.” – Zina Bethune, Founder and Artistic Director