(ROCKWALL, TX — October 4, 2018) Royalty Dance Academy in Rockwall (2305 State Hwy 276) is offering a free Jazz and Hip-Hop dance class – “Sug’s Showstoppers” – to local kids with special needs.
Royalty Dance Academy owner Amy Connolly named the class after her Uncle Sug, who had Down syndrome and passed away at age 59. Sug made a huge impact in Connolly’s life, and dancing was one of their favorite things to do together. Because of Sug, kids with special needs have always held a special place in Connolly’s heart.
During the program, each student is paired with a “buddy” who is a Royalty dancer. The buddies assist students in their learning and tend to anything they might need during class time.
The buddies also host fundraisers to ensure kids with special needs can participate in the program free of charge. The fundraisers help cover costs such as registration fees, dance shoes, as well as recital fees and costumes for students wanting to participate in the studio’s end-of-year recital.
With Sug’s Showstoppers, Connolly said she finally achieved her lifelong dream of offering dance lessons to special needs kids.
“Students with special needs or down syndrome deserve to have the chance to dance just like any other kid does,” she said. “By offering this dance program for kids with special needs, I hope to teach my dancers that they can use their dance talent to truly make a difference in other people’s lives. God gave them a talent to dance, and I want them to start to learn at a young age how to use their talents to make a difference and give back to others.”
Class Dates and Times
Sug’s Showstoppers is held Tuesdays from 7:30-8:00 p.m. (ages 10 years and up); Wednesdays from 6:30-7 p.m. (ages 5-9 years) and 7-7:30 p.m. (ages 10 and up); and Thursdays from 4:15-4:45 p.m. (ages 5-9) and 7:15-7:45 p.m. (ages 8-11).
For more information, call Royalty Dance Academy at 972-771-3855 or email royaltydanceacademy@yahoo.com.
By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photo.
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