BY DANIELLE LEGARE

What began as a vision to make dance truly inclusive has blossomed into an innovative program that is redefining possibilities and transforming the lives of children with and without disabilities.

Now, over ten years after it was first established, DREAM—a collaboration with the National Dance Institute (NDI)—has brought dance into the lives of hundreds of children, many of whom may have otherwise never experienced dance at all.

But DREAM’s origins go back even further. Ferro first began working with NDI in 1998, launching an in-school program in New York City that laid the foundation for DREAM’s inclusive approach.

Grounded in the belief that dance is for everyone, DREAM provides free, biannual weeklong workshops at NDI’s fully accessible center in Harlem. Each workshop culminates in a vibrant group performance where children with disabilities partner with age-matched peers from NDI’s Advanced Teams. Together, they choreograph routines that celebrate collaboration, creativity and the unique abilities of every participant.

According to Ferro, who is also a clinical associate professor in Stony Brook University’s physical therapy program, DREAM’s commitment to inclusion is unwavering. “We have never turned away a child,” she said. “If they want to be there, if the parent is willing to bring them there—which can be a tough experience for many families—they’re able to participate.”

Children with varying abilities have participated in the program since it began. Dancers have included children on ventilator support or with minimal mobility. And yet, these children are still fully engaged in the program. They are not treated as passive participants or props but as active partners in the dance experience.

This philosophy of adaptation and creativity is embedded in DREAM’s foundation, which was built upon collaboration with co-founders Kay Gayner, NDI's artistic director, and Aileen Barry, NDI's senior director of education and outreach. Their leadership at NDI supports DREAM’s inclusive curriculum, which ensures that every child—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to express themselves through dance.

The benefits of DREAM often extend beyond the dance floor and have a profound impact on children’s lives.

“DREAM’s success is a testament to the vision of NDI’s founder, Jacques d’Amboise,” said Ferro. “He believed in the transformative power of the arts, and that belief continues to shape everything we do.”

Ferro began collecting data about the DREAM Project shortly after establishing it to measure its impact. In time, she realized she wanted to deepen her analysis of the data—and this goal ultimately led her to pursue the curriculum, instruction and the science of learning PhD program at UB.

“I don’t think anything prepared me for not only the level of rigor but also the level of incredible faculty who are part of that program, including Erin Kearney and Tiffany Karalis-Noel,” she said.

“The gift of a lifetime was getting Beth Etopio as my advisor,” Ferro continued. “I don’t know how those stars aligned, but I’m eternally grateful for that because she is a gifted, gifted supporter and instructor.”

Armed with research insights from her doctoral studies, Ferro is committed to growing the program with the hope of bringing it to children throughout the country. She and her colleagues recently conducted training sessions in New Mexico and New Hampshire, where the DREAM curriculum and pedagogy were introduced to new communities.

“We need to do more. The experience that we have at DREAM in Harlem shouldn’t be isolated to just that. It should be expanded as much as we can, as far as we can,” said Ferro. “That’s my goal for the next 50 years.”

DREAM’s next workshop will be held in Harlem from Feb. 18–21, 2025.