43
Photo
Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Viktor Slipski worked on his dance routine with Paul Miletta at Limitless Dance Company on Nov. 9.
Photo
Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Paul Miletta taught Viktor Slipski different steps durng hip-hop class at Limitless Dance Company on Nov. 9.
Photo
Neighbors | Alexis Bartolomucci.Viktor Slipski learned dance moves from instructor Paul Miletta during his hip-hop class at Limitless Dance Company on Nov. 9.
By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Torrie Trella, of Torrie’s Academy of Dance, has opened a new, non-profit organization called Limitless Dance Company as a way for people with disabilities to have the opportunity to learn different styles of dance. Limitless Dance is the only dance company in the Mahoning Valley to offer dance classes to children and adults with disabilities.
“I come in each week and I teach either a new line dance or a different style just to give them a little taste of everything they do,” said Paul Miletta.
Miletta teaches a hip-hip class that has two students who attend regularly, Viktor Slipski and Dante Graziani, to learn some dance moves.
“He [Viktor] really likes to dance, he watches videos at home and he’ll practice until he knows all the steps,” said Gerry Slipski, Viktor’s mom.
There are several classes offered teaching different styles of dance for the children and adults to participate in and learn a variety of dance steps. The classes give the students an opportunity to come in and express themselves in a way that isn’t normally offered in a school environment.
“It’s nice for socialization and he feels good about himself after he comes,” said Gerry Slipski.
The small class sizes allow for the students to warm up to each other and start to feel comfortable with themselves. As more students attend classes, it’s a gradual addition and the original students don’t get overwhelmed with having so many other dancers in the same studio.
“It’s a safe environment for the child, for them to come in and be themselves. They don’t get judged. I tell them all the time to have fun with it and show me their own style,” said Miletta.
There are currently about 10 students who attend classes at Limitless and Trella and Miletta are anticipating more to join as other activities come to an end. The first class is offered for free so those who wish to attend can get an idea of what they like.
More information can be found at www.torriesacademyofdance.com/limitless-dance-company or by emailing LimitlessDance2016@hotmail.com.
Donations to help with classes are being accepted on a GoFundMe Page and the studio is also hosting a basket raffle through Dec. 17 for people to purchase tickets for.