About
The Canadian Wheelchair Dance Academy
The Canadian Wheelchair Dance Academy was formed by Toni Triplett (McKee), David Yates, and Diane Garceau. Its pilot program started in Tsawwassen, BC in 2007. The intention is to expand the training into the Greater Vancouver area at this present time at GF Strong and through Vancouver Parks and Recreation. Eventually the training will be made available throughout Canada.
What is Wheelchair Dancing?
Wheelchair dancing is an art form and a wonderful source of recreation and social integration. It is a means of expression of what lies inside all of us. We all need to express ourselves one way or another. For many people, whether in wheelchairs or not, music is “food for the soul”. When you can combine music with movement it is a banquet for the soul.
The physical description of Wheelchair Ballroom dancing is partnering a person who uses their feet with a person who uses a wheelchair. They will dance the Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Jive, etc. They can dance any dance that two people, who strictly use their feet, can do. We teach our students about rhythm, music, dance patterns, recognizing which dance is which, how to lead, how to follow, how to manoeuvre around a dance floor and we build their confidence about doing this with grace and style and bliss! We will tailor our training of each dancer according to their level of desire and capability.
Background
Toni Triplett’s desire is to teach people in wheelchairs to dance. Growing up with parents who were both professional dancers, Toni has instructed ballroom dancing for over 30 years and understands the power of music and dance in people’s lives. Her yearning is to train people to take flight in dance and music.
The joy of dance should not be limited to only those who walk. Toni Triplett and the Canadian Wheelchair Dance Academy will provide opportunities for people living their lives in a wheelchair to experience what might have been the impossible dream. Such a dream becomes a reality through this wheelchair dance program which will connect wheelchair users to the sheer pleasure of music and dance.
History:
- Also known as integrated dance, wheelchair dancing has been around since 1980
- Although new to BC, wheelchair dancing is pursued around the world in about 40 different countries including USA, Scandinavia and Japan
- Wheelchair dancing is not only recreational but can be competitive
- First international wheelchair dance competition took place in Sweden in 1997 and first world championship took place in Japan in 1998
- Wheelchair dancing is actively pursued in the United States with performances, outreach programs and workshops being incorporated. ( e.g.“Dancing Wheels” – Cleveland; “Full Radius Dance” – Atlanta)
Purpose:
- Provides participants with opportunity to dance, enjoy movement and music in a social environment
- Participants can learn a variety of patterns and moves
- Enables participants to explore creative performing arts
- It is first and foremost a creative performing art which perceives disability as secondary to graceful dancing.
Method:
- Wheelchair dancers are paired with a trained volunteer who dances beside the wheelchair assisting with arm movements and steering the chair.
- Dancing starts out with simple patterns but as the pairs become more experienced, more complex dance patterns are taught.
- Dances may include square dance, line dance, ballet and jazz as well as the standard dances such as waltz, cha cha and other Latin dances