All Bodies in Motion
Anthem’s Dance Revolution
Writer Shannon Severson // Photography by Pamela Murphy
Music fills the dance studio at Powerhouse Dance in Anthem, the beat wafting through the air as young dancers move across the floor. But these are not typical dancers — it’s one of the weekly classes of the All Bodies Dance program, where individuals with a wide array of physical and cognitive abilities gather to express themselves through movement.
Guiding the dancers is Anthem resident and former professional ballet dancer Katie Kirwan, the occupational therapist and lead dance instructor whose vision for an empowering, inclusive space for self-expression has transformed the lives of her students, their families and even the volunteers who work alongside her.
“As an occupational therapist, I wanted to use my love of dance with patients who were open to it,” Kirwan recalls of her first clinical job in Phoenix after moving from Chicago, where she had transformed her career from children’s ballet master at the Academy of the Joffrey Ballet to occupational therapist with Northwestern Medicine. “What began as a small therapy group soon grew to an online group and two in-person classes with more than 30 students.”
Kirwan spent many accomplished years in ballet training with esteemed programs including the Dayton Ballet, Ballet Chicago and Ballet Magnificat!, but she was plagued with injuries.
“I felt I was battling my body,” she says. “I was often told my feet and legs weren’t good enough. In Chicago, I was part of the process for choosing who would go into a professional ballet track and who was more suited for recreational dance. I didn’t want to be part of that anymore. My heart was to help everyone find a path to their dream.”
When Kirwan took a dance instructor job in Anthem, she explained that she loved working with students who had disabilities, and the studio owners were thrilled. Today, All Bodies Dance has three Dynamic Diversities class options at Powerhouse Dance — ballet/lyrical and jazz/hip-hop for teens through adults and a junior class for ages 5–10. A summer camp session is also held each year. All instruction and practice culminates in performances — recitals and events such as the Abilities Expo in Scottsdale and the Spina Bifida Walk and Roll in Tempe — complete with costumes and celebratory cheers from their audiences.
The program welcomes participants of all genders and abilities. Some use wheelchairs or other supports, so Kirwan and her fellow instructor, Mikayla Skogen, use props — ribbons, scarves, tambourines and fabric — along with specific, open language to allow every participant to dance in whatever way they are able.
Recent dances included a journey through musical theater, with songs from “Cats,” “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Annie” and “Wicked.” Traditional tap shoes weren’t a viable option for everyone, so a tap board was created for dancers who could only use their hands.
“A cue I’ll use is, ‘Let’s lift our bodies up to the ceiling,’” Kirwan explains. “That could be the chest, eyebrows, eyeballs or chin. In ballet, cues are specific down to the joint. We teach so no one is left behind, but everyone is pushed to the end of their ability. My approach allows for flexibility. Understanding how to think opens options of what things can be.”
That redefinition empowers her students, instructors and the “dance buddies” who support the dancers.
“[These kids are] fearless, cooperative and ready to learn,” says Skogen, who teaches the Dynamic Diversities Junior class. “They’re way more capable of movements than they think they are. They are truly unstoppable and try their best at anything and everything, no matter the challenge.”
Meeting challenges is nothing new to students like 8-year-old Gianna Schippers, who was born with a rare genetic disorder called Larsen syndrome. At birth, she was bent in half with her legs backward and up by her head; almost all her joints were dislocated and she had bilateral clubfoot.
“We have had a big medical journey,” her mom, Melissa, explains. “When she heard about her friends starting dance class, she was so excited and wanted to dance, too, but every place I called wouldn’t take her once I explained her physical limitations.”
Gianna arrived at Kirwan’s All Bodies Dance at age 5 and has been dancing ever since. Melissa felt at ease knowing of Kirwan’s therapeutic expertise and says the dancers gain confidence and a sense of belonging when they meet new friends with similar physical limitations.
“I like dancing,” Gianna says with joy in her voice. “I like learning new things. I didn’t know what a lot of the words meant, but now I’m helping my mom learn them. I had a solo in our last recital. Miss Katie makes me feel happy.”
“In her first year of life, we were told it was unlikely she’d ever walk,” Melissa recalls. “The fact that she is upright and walking and dancing is so amazing. Katie and the [studio] have created an opportunity for kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance.”
At 19, Kaitlyn Andre was also new to dance. This is her second year in All Bodies Dance ballet/lyrical class. She uses a wheelchair, and moving her legs is challenging, but being at class with her friends is one of her favorite things about the program, and she says dancing makes her feel happy.
“Miss Katie is calming,” she explains. “I love to be with her, and I love my friends there, too.”
Kaitlyn’s mother, Debbie, says she had some initial concerns when she first signed her daughter up for classes.
“I was hesitant,” Debbie admits. “I was pessimistic about how much Kaitlyn would actually be participating and if she would feel that she didn’t belong. That was definitely not the case!”
After many years of health challenges and persistent physical pain, Debbie says the Monday afternoon dance class is a bright spot and creative outlet, even on Kaitlyn’s roughest weeks.
“Kaitlyn is engaged, included, and provided with one-on-one assistance when needed,” Debbie says. “Her confidence has definitely increased. Watching her learn an art, move her body and enjoy herself means the world to me. Miss Katie has found ways for Kaitlyn to move parts of her body that are often limited. She is truly amazing at what she does. She is compassionate, patient, and brings out the very best in the young adults in her class.”
Anthem resident Kelly Caldwell is one of the “Dance Buddy” volunteers who dedicates her Monday evenings to the ballet/lyrical and jazz/hip-hop classes. With decades of dance experience and 10 years as a special education teacher, All Bodies Dance combines two of Caldwell’s passions. Her time with the dancers has been personally moving and educational.
“I’m blessed to see the joy and confidence that shine through when our dancers take the floor or dance in their wheelchairs,” Caldwell says. “Each week, I get to witness moments of pure expression and connection — where ability doesn’t define limits, but creativity and spirit take the lead. It has taught me so much about humility, empathy, and the power of community.”
“Being part of this team reminds me that dance isn’t about perfection; it’s about belonging — and that’s a gift I get to carry with me long after rehearsal ends.”
Dance Buddies like Caldwell are sorely needed, and Kirwan says she accepts teens through adults. Dance experience is great but not required. Patience and consistency are what are most important. Every Dance Buddy has training on treating the students with respect, avoiding infantilization of adults with disabilities and assuming competence.
“As a nation, we need to respect people with different abilities,” Kirwan observes. “I am constantly seeking out opportunities to educate and expose myself in addition to continuing occupational therapy training. I still need to grow; we all harbor biases we aren’t aware of, but there is so much advancement in our verbiage and how we treat people.”
As Kirwan looks to the future, her goals for All Bodies Dance extend far beyond the studio. She envisions expanding the program to include a traveling ensemble for her dancers to perform at nursing homes and launching classes for older adults — particularly those living with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions — using imagery, music and movement to help alleviate symptoms.
“It’s a healing avenue,” she explains. “Most neurological conditions can’t be cured, but engaging the brain in a full way — with sensory elements, music, socialization and movement — can help with daily function.”
All Bodies Dance is more than just a dance program — it’s a movement to redefine what is possible for disabled individuals and to challenge societal perceptions, providing spaces where everybody is valued and celebrated. By championing these dancers and their families, Kirwan and her team are not only transforming lives but also inspiring a shift in how we, as humans, view and accommodate those with disabilities. Kirwan’s program is a shining example of the power of inclusion, the transformative nature of the arts, and a reminder that when we lift each other up, limits fall away and the whole world benefits.
