DanceAbility Teacher Orientation Course 2025
6-Day Intensive

 
 

We are excited to announce we will be hosting a DanceAbility Teacher Orientation Course Intensive at Steps PDX this August 2025.
This is in partnership with DanceAbility International 

LEARN TO LEAD INCLUSIVE DANCE | 6-DAY INTENSIVE
DanceAbility uses improvisational dance to promote artistic expression and exploration between people with and without disabilities. This 6-day DanceAbility Intensive teaches basic DanceAbility exercises and theory for immediate application by dance educators, teachers, therapists, and dancers, who want to share movement improvisation and/or mixed-abilities inclusive dance in their communities. Participants learn how to work with all people simultaneously. Students will receive a certificate of completion and a teaching guide (DanceAbility handbook) with over 40 exercises and detailed notes from each day’s lessons. 

The course emphasizes how to work with mixed-abilities groups, how to adapt teaching styles to any participant, and how to work with various sizes of groups.

  • Foundation exercises introduce basic concepts of movement improvisation for people of all abilities, based on things that all participants can do.

  • How to guide people to be aware of their potential for movement and for non-verbal communication.

  • Movement explorations and exercises for individuals, partners, and small and large groups.


INTENSIVE DATES & TIMES | AUGUST 1ST - 10TH, 2025

Weekend 1:

  • August 1st (Friday), 5:00-9:00pm (lunch break 1 - 1.5)

  • August 2nd (Saturday), 9:00am-4:00pm (lunch break 1 - 1.5)

  • August 3rd (Sunday), 9:00am-4:00pm (lunch break 1 - 1.5)


Weekend 2:

  • August 8th (Friday), 5:00-9:00pm (lunch break 1 - 1.5)

  • August 9th (Saturday), 9:00am-4:00pm (lunch break 1 - 1.5)

  • August 10th (Sunday), 9:00am-4:00pm (lunch break 1 - 1.5)

SLIDING SCALE PRICING

We believe that dance should be accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. Our sliding scale pricing allows each participant to contribute based on their individual economic situation while ensuring that our program remains sustainable and inclusive.

  • Supporter Rate ($450) – If you’re in a position to contribute more, we invite you to pay this rate. Your generosity helps offset costs for those who need financial assistance and ensures we can continue offering high-quality training to all.

  • Standard Rate ($350) – This is the true cost of the intensive, covering instruction, space, and resources. If this rate works for you, we encourage you to select it.

  • Accessible Rate ($250) – If the standard rate creates a financial barrier, you are welcome to pay a reduced amount that works for you. We trust our community to contribute what they can, knowing that everyone’s circumstances are different.

  • Print & Bound Handbook ($20) | Accessible DAI 2024 Master Teacher Intensive Course Handbook 

*No matter what you pay, you are valued, welcomed, and encouraged to participate fully. Thank you for being part of a dance community that uplifts and supports one another! 💛

BUILDING LOCATION & INFORMATION

Location | Steps Pdx
1734 SE 12th Ave
Portland, OR 97214

Parking | Free street parking is available on 12th Ave. Students may also park in the Columbia Transmission Co. lot, located across the street from Steps PDX on 12th Ave. 

BUILDING ACCESSIBILITY

Location and Building Entrance | Our studio is located at the corner of 12th Ave and SE Mulberry Ave. There are two ramps at this intersection. We are next to Junior’s Cafe, which has a ramp directly in front of its entrance. Our front entrance is midway down the block, level with the sidewalk, with a small threshold at the doorway.

Restrooms | 4 restrooms total in our building

There are two restrooms in the first hallway:

  • The first restroom has a doorway width of 23.5 inches.

  • The second restroom has a doorway width of 24 inches.

Down the second hallway, there are two additional restrooms:

  • The third restroom is ADA accessible, with a 35-inch-wide doorway.

  • The fourth restroom, located at the end of the hallway, also has a 35-inch-wide doorway.

About the Studio Space 

  • Studio B has a ramp available to enter the room.

  • Studio A is down the hall to the left and has a ramp available to enter the room.

  • There is air conditioning, heating and an air purifier in each studio. 

  • There is a water cooler located in the 1st hallway.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions about the Intensive please contact:

  • Alito Alessi (Artistic Director & Co-Founder DanceAbility)
    Alitoalessi@gmail.com | 541-357-4982
    Learn More about Alito

  • Aaron Wheeler-Kay (Artistic Director Echo Theatre Company)
    Aaron@echotheaterpdx.org | 503-407-7483
    Learn more about Aaron

  • Denise Busch (DanceAbility Instructor at Steps)
    Denisebusch2@gmail.com | 503-830-5140
    Learn more about Denise

For questions about Steps PDX please contact: 

GET TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUCTORS

 

Who is Denise Busch?

Denise Busch is a Certified  Master DanceAbility teacher.  She has taught improvisational dance to people with and without disabilities to all age groups and directed mixed ability performances.  She has studied  many kinds of dance including improvisational, contemporary,  flamenco, hip hop, and clogging.  She is a Nurse Practitioner who believes dance and movement can be part of our personal growth experience and builds community.

Denise Busch is a Certified Master DanceAbility Teacher. She has used the DanceAbility method to teach a number of dance classes including:

Mixed Ability Class- for people with and without dance experience and with and without disabilities, dance class for people with developmental disabilities, dance class for people with dementia and their care partners. Improvisational Dance Classes for women’s groups, teens, senior groups, team building. She also directs an Inclusive Mixed Ability Dance Ensemble that performs in a number of opportunities.

She has studied many kinds of dance including improvisational, contemporary,  flamenco, hip hop, and clogging.  She is a Nurse Practitioner who believes dance and movement can be part of our personal growth experience and builds community.

 
 

Who is Aaron Wheeler-Kay?

Aaron Wheeler-Kay (Aerial Dance, Acrobatics, Tap, Physical Theater, Youth Company Director, Improvisation and Composition & Inclusion Specialist), has been teaching and creating performances at Echo Theatre for 27+ years. Aaron utilizes creative imagery, playfulness and mindfulness to inform his classes. He is focused on physical integration, exploration and creative expression and strives to cultivate feelings of safety, freedom and fun in his students. He believes that students bring valuable information which can inform and enrich the class for all participants. His teaching is anchored in self-awareness and self-care principles gleaned from his history as a performer, dancer, director and licensed massage therapist. He is a certified Master Teacher of DanceAbility, a method of teaching dance to all people and his teaching is informed by inclusive practices.