"I never knew there was a dancer inside me. ” – Infinite Dreams student, Russell Bartel

The Infinite Dreams program curriculum incorporates California State Standards in the Visual and Performing Arts and has been selected by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission to its on-line Arts Resource Directory (www.LAArtsEd.org) serving arts educators. At school sites the curriculum will be incorporated into each child’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP) and Special Education Services and at community centers over an expanded hours and day schedule.

Component # 1 – Dance Curriculum
Infinite Dreams dance classes are conducted by a professional artist (dance Instructor). A professional level of the dance will always be present using the styles and techniques of ballet, jazz, modern, creative dance, hip hop and dance history. Classes meet three times a week for one-hour over a 46-week residency. Class lesson plans are one-hour, requiring the participant to engage in creative self-expression as they extend their movement skills and grow both physically and mentally. The instructor works to remove pre-conceived limits or expectations on what the participant will understand or be able to accomplish. Instead of focusing on one “special need,” or an isolated movement, the Instructor seeks to make a connection on an intuitive level enabling the child to develop adaptive skills – where a “re-wiring” takes place, helping the child function in newly productive ways notpreviously thought possible.


Component # 2 – Dramatic Arts Workshop
Participants will complete a 20-hour workshop in dramatic arts to be conducted by a professional instructor (actor). Content will stress acting and elements of both job and employment services as performers in the entertainment industry including building a knowledge base and practical experience of acting techniques through public speaking, expression, communication, and presentation via scene study. As it is relevant to any chosen vocation or career, emphasis on self-presentation and poise awareness will introduce participants to employment topics of importance to the entertainment industry, and relevant issues of disability.

Component # 3 – Career Development Workshop
The instructors implement a team teaching approach and participants will complete five,one-hour workshops which cover access and use of services offered by the State Employment Development Department; Work Source California; and the Cities of Los Angeles and Pasadena. Participants in this component are entering their work careers or have begun to seek work. Thus, content will stress skills building career knowledge, where and what to expect from counseling, and access/use of community services. With the subject still focused on the entertainment industry, topics covered will become more specific and extend beyond what has been attempted in the dramatic arts workshop. It will focus on specific careers: access and use of search engines; employment counseling; resume writing and interviewing techniques. This component was initiated by Bob Goar, Director of the North Hollywood Work Source Center. A physically challenged individual, Mr. Goar’s personal experience underscores the importance of direct involvement on the part of special need adult peers in mentoring roles.


Component # 4 – Residency Performances
At the residency’s mid-point and conclusion, students perform their own dance concert and dramatic presentations on site and are assisted by professional dance and drama instructors. For Infinite Dreams students, this is their signature moment. Culmination of study in a performance offers the individual a special opportunity to show what has been accomplished, share creativity with peers, parents and family, take responsibility, and receive recognition for a job well done. Graduates will experience the importance of working within an ensemble, in a team setting, and/or a self-esteem enhancing experience being featured as a soloist. Certificates of completion are awarded to graduates each spring.

List of School and Community Sites

John Francis Polytechnic (JFP) CDD Unbound Dreams site
1234 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA 91352 (818) 767-4860

Hollywood High School (HHS) CDD Unbound Dreams site
1521 N. Highland Ave. Hollywood, CA 90028 (323) 461-3891

El Sereno Middle School (ESMS) Infinite Dreams site
2839 N. Eastern Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90032 (323) 223-2441

North Hollywood High School (NHHS) CDD Unbound Dreams site
5231 Colfax Ave. N. Hollywood, CA 91601 (818) 769-8510

Lankershim Arts Center (LAC) CDD Unbound/Infinite Dreams site
5108 Lankershim Blvd. N. Hollywood, CA 91602 (818) 752-7568
4:00-5:30pm (Drama)
5:30-7:00pm (Dance Bethune II)

First Church of the Nazarene Pasadena (PAZ NAZ) Infinite Dreams site
3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 351-2429
Classes: Saturday 11:00am – 12:00pm (Musical Theatre)
Saturday 12:00pm – 1:00pm (Musical Theatre)

Valley Village (VV) CDD Unbound Dreams site
20830 Sherman Way Canoga Park, CA 91306 (818) 587-9185
Classes: Thursday3:30pm –4:30pm (Dance & Drama)

Lord Baden Powell (LBP) Infinite Dreams site
2911 Stoneybrook Anaheim, CA 92804 (714) 761-5442
Classes: Tuesday 1:30pm – 2:30pm (Dance)

Jackie Robinson Center (JRC) Infinite Dreams site
1020 Fair Oaks Ave. Pasadena, CA 91003 (626) 744-7300

Loma Alta Elementary School (LAES) Infinite Dreams site
3544 Cannon Blvd. Alta Dena, CA 91001 (626) 797-1173
Classes: Wednesday 10:30am – 11:30am

Charles Eliot Middle School (CSGB) Infinite Dreams Site
2184 Lake Ave, Altadena, CA - (626) 794-7121_

Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach) Infinite Dreams Site
100 Aquarium Way ,Long Beach CA –(562)-590-3100