Feel the Beat

Hello, Colorado locals! Are you ready to experience music and movement in a truly unique and transformative way? Look no further than Feel the Beat, an extraordinary non-profit dance studio located right here in Lakewood. Founded in 2016 by Jari and Julia, two educators driven by a passion to make dance accessible to everyone, Feel the Beat has rapidly become a beacon of inclusivity in the Denver metro area. Their innovative approach ensures that individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and/or with or without disabilities can fully immerse themselves in the joy of dance and music. This isn't just a dance studio; it's a movement that's redefining accessibility and empowering countless lives.

At its core, Feel the Beat is about bridging the gap in accessible arts education. By pioneering the use of specially designed bone-conduction vibrational dance floors, they enable students to literally "feel" the music through their bodies. This groundbreaking technology, combined with a carefully crafted and adaptive curriculum, allows every student to connect with rhythm and expression, fostering coordination, strengthening muscle groups, and building immense self-confidence. For anyone in Colorado seeking a dance experience that is not only professional but profoundly inclusive and inspiring, Feel the Beat offers an unparalleled opportunity to groove, learn, and belong.

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Feel the Beat has its primary studio located at 1555 Dover St, Lakewood, CO 80215, USA. This address positions it conveniently within Lakewood, a vibrant suburb of Denver, making it easily reachable for residents across the greater metropolitan area. For many, this location is highly accessible by car, with general street parking available in the vicinity.

It's important for locals to note that Feel the Beat also frequently holds classes and programs at other accessible locations within the community to expand its reach. For instance, they have a vibrotactile floor setup at the Charles Whitlock Recreation Center in Lakewood, and also conduct classes at Colorado Movement Lab in Westminster. This distributed approach allows them to serve a wider demographic across Colorado, ensuring that their unique and inclusive dance programs are within reach for more families. Public transportation options, including various bus routes, serve the Lakewood area, providing additional accessibility for those who rely on transit. When booking a class, it's always a good idea to confirm the specific location for that session to ensure a smooth arrival. The dedication to accessibility in location, as well as in technology, underscores Feel the Beat's commitment to serving the entire community.

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Feel the Beat offers a diverse and carefully curated range of dance and music education programs designed to be fully inclusive for individuals of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds:

• Adaptive Dance Classes for All Ages and Abilities: Their core offering includes weekly dance classes tailored for kids and adults. These classes are thoughtfully designed to accommodate various needs, ensuring that every student can participate and thrive.

• Specialized Programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals: This is a cornerstone of Feel the Beat's mission. Classes are taught in American Sign Language (ASL) as well as English, with visual descriptions provided. The curriculum is specifically adapted to allow Deaf and Hard of Hearing students to fully engage with music through tactile vibrations.

• Vibrational Dance Floor Experience: At the heart of their innovation is the proprietary bone-conduction dance floor. This technology converts musical sound into vibrational energy, allowing dancers to feel the rhythm and beat throughout their bodies, creating an immersive and accessible music experience for everyone, regardless of hearing ability.

• Diverse Dance Styles: Feel the Beat offers various dance styles to cater to different interests, including:

  • Hip Hop Fusion: Focuses on putting the beat into the body, incorporating fundamentals of hip hop, jazz, Latin, and contemporary styles.

  • Contemporary Fusion: Explores emotional expression through dance, fundamental techniques, and improvisation.

  • Creative Dance: Emphasizes learning through play, dance games, and exploration, improving physical and cognitive development.

  • Low-Sensory Jazz: A quieter, structured environment for teens and adults to learn jazz basics.

• Class Levels (Movers & Groovers): Classes are categorized to ensure appropriate placement:

  • Movers: Ideal for new dancers, focusing on movement through play, strengthening, balance, and coordination.

  • Groovers: For students looking to enhance technique, performance quality, and master choreography, with more advanced move options.

• Private Group Classes and School Programs: Feel the Beat extends its reach beyond its studios by offering custom programs for private groups and collaborations with schools, bringing accessible dance education directly to various communities.

• Accessible Events and Workshops: They host accessible events and master classes, often featuring experts and disability community members, providing broader opportunities for engagement.

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Feel the Beat stands out for its pioneering approach to inclusive dance education and its deep commitment to its mission:

• Revolutionary Bone-Conduction Dance Floor: This is their most significant innovation. The specialized floor allows students to experience music as vibrations, making it fully accessible to individuals with hearing loss. This unique technology truly sets them apart in the dance world.

• Dedicated to Inclusivity: The core mission of Feel the Beat is to ensure "no one feels left out in the experience of music or dance." This philosophy permeates every aspect of their operation, from curriculum design to instructor training.

• Highly Trained and Passionate Instructors: As highlighted in customer reviews, Jari and her instructors are "highly trained professionals" who are genuinely passionate about teaching and empowering every student. They are skilled in adaptive teaching methods and often incorporate ASL.

• Tailored and Adaptive Curriculum: The curriculum is carefully crafted and continuously adapted to fit diverse student needs. They provide adaptations for physical differences and modify movements to meet students "where they are at." This personalized approach ensures effective learning for all.

• Focus on Holistic Development: Beyond dance steps, Feel the Beat's programs aim to engage students' senses, strengthen muscle groups, improve coordination, and enhance self-confidence. Students gain not just dance skills but also vital social and emotional development.

• Strong Community Impact: Described as "the most amazing organization," Feel the Beat has made a significant impact on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, providing a "FINALLY dance program dedicated to kids and students of all ages tenderly designed for the deaf!" This underscores their vital role in the community.

• Non-Profit Dedication: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Feel the Beat's primary focus is on its mission rather than profit, ensuring that accessible dance and music education remains at the forefront of their efforts.

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Ready to feel the beat and join this inspiring community? Here’s how you can connect with Feel the Beat:

• Address: 1555 Dover St, Lakewood, CO 80215, USA

• Phone: (303) 816-8683

For the most current class schedules, registration details, or to learn more about their programs and how you can get involved, visiting their official website (feelthebeat.dance) is highly recommended. You can also reach out via email for specific inquiries or recommendations on which class might be the best fit.

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For Colorado locals, Feel the Beat offers far more than just dance classes; it provides a vital, inclusive, and deeply enriching experience that stands out in the regional arts landscape. Its central Lakewood location makes it a practical choice for families across Denver and its surrounding communities, minimizing travel time and making it easier to integrate these impactful programs into daily life. What truly makes Feel the Beat uniquely suitable for locals is its profound commitment to accessibility and its pioneering use of technology to ensure that everyone, regardless of their hearing ability or physical differences, can experience the joy and benefits of music and dance.

The heartfelt testimonials from parents and community members underscore the immense value Feel the Beat brings. They speak of an "amazing non-profit" with "highly trained professionals" who are "truly an inspiration" in their dedication to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. For parents of children with diverse needs, finding a program that is truly designed to meet them where they are is invaluable, and Feel the Beat delivers this with passion and expertise. It's a place where children and adults alike can not only learn to "groove" but also build confidence, develop motor skills, and become part of a supportive and understanding community. For any Colorado resident seeking a meaningful and accessible avenue for artistic expression and personal growth, Feel the Beat is an extraordinary resource that truly lives up to its name, allowing everyone to feel the rhythm of inclusion.

Feel the Beat

1555 Dover St, Lakewood, CO 80215, USA