Speech, Language, Feeding and DANCE? Oh, yes!
(4 minute read)
I’ve often been asked, “What made you get into speech-language pathology?” Well, the truth is… it was kind of a sporadic decision. I began undergraduate studies with no declared major. As a “type A” personality & planner of ALL things, I can recall feeling quite unsettled reaching the end of my first year of collegiate study with no clear direction (or even faint idea, if I’m being entirely honest) of what it was all for.
What did I know? I knew I wanted to work with people. I knew I possessed natural leadership abilities. I knew of my performative capacity (I have an extensive performing arts background beginning in early childhood).
One night my freshman year, I had a discussion with a suite mate in my dormitory. She was studying “communicative arts & sciences” (speech pathology). I was intrigued, but had no true idea of what the field actually was. After picking her brain one evening, asking every question I could think of, my mind was somehow completely made up & I was ready to claim this path as mine. I can’t say what it was that pushed me to pull the trigger, exactly, but I just had a good overall feeling. At the next opportunity I had, I declared my major & was officially on my way towards becoming a speech-language pathologist!
Fast forward to now… 8+ years into my professional career & it all makes sense. It “fits” beautifully. I love working with people (of all ages)… I get to do that every day. I love being a leader & in a position of teaching… I get to do that, too, every day! And I love performing & keeping people engaged. Without sounding too prideful, I think those who have worked with me would agree… I can hold my audience! This last piece is a great strength of mine; especially because it’s something that feels so natural. You know how some people “belong on a stage?” I’ve been labeled as being that way since before I began walking!
Being a speech-language pathologist “checks” the boxes of many things. It gives me purpose, income, freedom, permission to employ my greatest individualistic attributes, and most importantly, the opportunity to effect positive change in the lives of those I am fortunate enough to work with. Making that sporadic decision back in 2008 sure was one tremendous stroke of luck because I have been given the gift of putting forward the best parts of me & thus have had profound professional experiences. I have truly met & worked with the most incredible people!
But what about the “before” of when that sporadic decision was made? What was my purpose & drive those previous two decades? What helped me to develop into that leader, performer?
Well… DANCE!
Dance was my life. From my very first class at two years of age, to then being in a flamenco company at five & six, followed by a Russian ballet company from six to twelve, and onward. I performed in Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx & on Long Island, NY. I can recall taking the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station sometimes as often as 3-4x/week. I would then guide my parents to the correct subway station & line so I would make the audition my agent was sending me to on time… all before being a teenager. And now? Dance continues to be a part of my days. Every single day.
On the day-to-day when I’m not directly in the role of being an SLP, I am a student of dance. Most recently, I have been studying the Silvestre Dance Technique; originating in Salvador, Bahia, Brasil. As of today, I have completed 3 Técnica Silvestre Intensives. I began in Brasil in January of 2020, and have since been fortunate to continue my studies daily online (a very rare benefit of COVID I do not take lightly). I studied Cuban salsa in Havana, Cuba (pre-COVID) & presently across the country. I’ve studied with other impactful & talented dance instructors, like Babs Case (Jackson Hole, WY), Tika Morgan (San Francisco, CA), Marisol Blanco & Carlos Ramirez (Miami, FL).
During my graduate studies back in 2012 (just before I was officially licensed as an SLP), I began teaching dance classes to the patients of St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY, who were receiving rehabilitative care. The patients ranged in age… some as young as 6 or 7, and many in their later years of life. Most patients were in wheelchairs, and so we all sat in chairs and danced! They would follow my lead & without fail, everyone who heard the music (even from down the hall) would come & join us! Family members, friends visiting, nurses on staff… it was incredible!
No matter the age, cognitive or physical ability, patient or visitor, it was clear to see that our time together using dance & music was profoundly impactful for all! In participating, we targeted memory, gross motor movement, crossing midline, following directions, social skills, verbal expression & recall (singing along & remembering lyrics to oldie’s and popular songs). Perhaps most importantly, joy & connection was at the forefront of every class. The people and experience was life-changing, and little did I know it, but these classes were the first time I can recall beginning to fuse the worlds of speech-language pathology & dance together.
Since then, I have continued to teach classes to individuals of all ages, abilities, physical & cognitive levels. Here are some examples:
Adults with disabilities (https://ces-usa.com); Dance classes currently running weekly via Zoom! Have someone in mind who would want to join? All you need is a computer & Wifi! Go to the contact page & submit your inquiry.
Seniors at skilled nursing facilities (The Living Center at St. John’s Health, 2019-2020).
Children in the public school setting; Teton & Sublette County School Districts (2019 & 2021).
Children in the Jackson Hole community! See below!
The NEWEST addition of classes I am offering are happening THIS summer! They’re completely free & recommended for those who are elementary school aged (though ALL are welcome). Hole Food Rescue is the official host of these free community classes, and they’re offering free lunches to all children who participate! Our dance classes will entail exploring creative movement incorporating elements of nature, while simultaneously targeting expressive & receptive language, social & play skills. I hope you can join us!
Save the dates below:
Tuesday, June 22nd 10:30-11:30 AM at the Timbers Apartments
Wednesday, June 30th 10:30-11:30 AM at Mike Yokel Park
Classes will continue in July & August! Want to stay in the loop on when those will be? Sign up for newsletters on my website. Scroll to the bottom of any page & fill in your information to stay informed!
Thanks for reading & for enhancing my vision of bringing together these two impactful, beautiful worlds of dance & speech-language therapy!
With Gratitude,
Denise