Down For Dance

Our mission is to empower individuals of all abilities to build a stronger sense of self through dance and the arts.

Down For Dance (DFD) was founded in July of 2017 by Annie Griffith & Sari Anna Thomas to offer high-quality dance training and performance opportunities to individuals with disabilities who don't often have the opportunity to dance and perform. What started as a program of 20 students across 2 classes has grown to serve more than 200 individuals annually with 17 weekly year-round classes plus a summer camp. Our students range in age from 7 through adult (currently, our oldest students are in their 60s). Styles of classes include hip hop, musical theater, ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, yoga & art.

While our focus is to teach movement, dance technique, and choreography in a fun, self-expressive environment, DFD is much more than a dance & arts program – we directly impact the lives and development of our students. In addition to classes and performance opportunities, our students experience proven benefits including physical exercise, cognitive engagement, and social interaction. And most importantly, they have FUN!
DFD has also organically created a community among our students and among their parents/guardians. Many of our students have become good friends in class and hang out socially outside of class. Many of our parents/guardians have found a network and support system.
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Our programming is unique and highly sought after. Though our classes are adapted, they mirror a typical dance class and our students learn choreography which they perform, just like in a typical dance class. We are always raising the bar for our students and allow them the opportunity to raise their own bar.
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Our most recent session of classes was almost 100% full – with many classes having a waitlist. Since 2020, we have more than doubled the number of weekly classes and students we serve.
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 we moved all of our classes online and we now have both in-person (Southern CA) and online offerings for our students.
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Our goals for 2024 include:
1. Continue to serve our existing students and reach more individuals by continuing to develop, expand & enrich our programming
2. Increase our service numbers by 7-10% to over 215 students and families served
3. Offer up to 3 new class styles, times, and/or locations
4. Broaden accessibility even more, as we constantly strive to serve #allabilities
5. Participate in more than 10 community outreach, events & performances
6. Continue to grow & strengthen our volunteer program
7. Expand our faculty by hiring 2 additional instructors & staff (which includes individuals with Down syndrome)
8. Fundraise to support our current classes, the addition of new classes, and scholarship needs so that we don't turn any students away

In order to serve our existing students and continue to add classes so we can offer this programming to more individuals with disabilities, we look to our community for support.
Our top needs are:
1. Instructors: We currently have five instructors but will need to hire & train additional instructors as we continue to add classes.
2. Studio rental space: We don't have our own studios. Instead, we rent space at various studios throughout the area so that we can serve a broader geography. Ideally, we love to partner with studios locally who are willing to offer studio space at a discounted rate ($25 - $50/hr); potentially have volunteers from their studio to help in our classes; and/or invite us to perform in their shows.
3. Volunteers: Our volunteers work 1-on-1 with students in class. We are always looking for interested & qualified volunteers. We provide training for all our volunteers.
4. Board members: We have a dedicated board with a variety of backgrounds & experience who make decisions in the best interest of our program & students. We are actively looking for board members who have a law background and/or have fundraising experience.
5. Funding for scholarships & to support programming: We never turn any students away due to an inability to pay for classes and we offer scholarships for all our classes. We do charge tuition for our classes, though tuition only covers 70% of the cost to run our program so we fundraise the other 30%. Funding would be used to cover the cost of running classes, to add additional classes and scholarship dancers so that we can continue offering programming to more individuals. Our fundraising needs for 2024 are expected to be $102,000.

We are based in Orange County and mostly serve individuals throughout OC and Long Beach areas. With our online classes, we are also reaching individuals across the country.

I started Down For Dance because there are limited opportunities in dance & the arts for individuals with disabilities. I've grown up with an older brother with Down syndrome, so I've witnessed this first-hand. I grew up dancing & I saw a lack of high-quality dance & arts programming for this population. There's a strong need - parents & students alike love the program. We have parents tell us all the time that our classes are the highlight of their child's week and they constantly ask, "Do I have Down For Dance class today?" Many of our students take classes with us several times a week because they love it so much.
Our program truly is unique in its high-quality offering. Our classes are structured like a typical dance class (adapted to the needs of our students) and our students are always raising the bar to what is possible. We offer students the space to take risks and to express what is in their hearts in a fun and safe environment. In addition to weekly classes, we also offer year-round performance opportunities for our students. Our students are invited to perform in recitals and events throughout the community. We are the only organization in Orange County that offers this high level of programming and performance opportunities to individuals of all abilities.