Meet Emily Canseco, a 2024 Scholarship Recipient!
Emily found her inspiration for dance through watching her younger brother. His dance teacher welcomed Emily into his class, but her autism made it challenging to keep up with other students. That's when her family discovered Free 2 Be Me Dance last October and applied for scholarship funds. Emily decided to use the money she received on her 16th birthday to fund her first dance classes. We were able to take care of the rest. 
"This program is a blessing." says Emily's mom, Velma. The scholarship donations are extremely beneficial for her, and make it possible to provide this life changing program as a single mother raising three children on a low income. For Emily, seeing dance class on her mom's calendar is something to look forward to, Velma shares, emphasizing how it has positively impacted Emily's behavior. "I HAVE to go to dancel" Emily expresses. "It's the highlight of her week," Velma says.

Emily enjoys socializing with others who share her disability. "She participates more in dance class than she does at school." Velma observes.  Free 2 Be Me Dance classes have boosted her confidence, helped her break out of her shell, and facilitated new friendships. 

Emily's family has witnessed incredible growth in just a few months with the program. Before class, Emily points to a fellow dancer and says, "That's my best friend!* Velma finds it remarkable to see Emily engage like that with others, something she hadn't seen from her before.
Before joining Free 2 Be Me Dance, Emily disliked hugs, but now she welcomes them. Emily's mom appreciates the opportunity during classes for parents to gather, exchange knowledge, and offer support. She finds comfort in hearing other parents' stories, feeling less alone, and even likening it to therapy. 
Emily's nutritionist at her children's hospital also appreciates Free 2 Be Me Dance's impact. Some medications Emily takes for her autism cause weight gain, so the exercise from dance classes benefits her health. 
Emily is one of the newer students experiencing her first full season with Free 2 Be Me Dance. Spring 2023 marked Emily's debut performance! 
"The love they show you comes straight from their hearts," Velma says about people with special needs, which is one of the many reasons we here at Free 2 Be Me Dance do what we do.
Keep Supporting Dancers Like Emily!
Your donations go directly towards funding scholarships for dancers like Emily. All donations are tax deductible. 
Stay tuned to keep learning about our families who are scholarship recipients! 


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Meet Billy and his mom Stephanie Jones, one of our newest additions to Free 2 Be Me Dance. 

Billy’s journey with Free 2 Be Me Dance began just this June during our summer classes, and his presence and talent have already made a remarkable impact on our program. His story is nothing short of inspiring. Adopted at the age of 7, Billy discovered dance as his lifeline—a powerful outlet that has helped him navigate the many challenges life has thrown his way. Learn more about his story below, and how you can make an impact for dancers like Billy. 

Dance quickly became Billy’s outlet. “He could mimic every move, especially Michael Jackson’s, because he learns by watching others. Dance was his way of coping—it kept him from tearing up the house or acting out his frustrations,” Stephanie explains.
Stephanie holds a double major in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement and Corrections, a Master’s in Administration of Justice, another in Clinical Psychology, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Despite her impressive career, Stephanie was forced to stop working after being diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) while also focusing on caring for Billy. “All of my time goes to Billy now, and that’s why I had to quit work. It’s just been one thing after another,” she shares.
Billy has always loved being involved in activities, but financial constraints have been a challenge. Stephanie often has to remind him, “Billy, I don’t have money for all these things you want to do.” However, she acknowledges how crucial these activities are for his mental health and overall well-being. “His passion for these activities is his life,” she adds.

Billy was born with an intellectual disability and ADHD, and while his new psychiatrist suspects he may also have autism, further testing has not been done. Despite these challenges, Billy remains eager to participate in various activities, which Stephanie knows is essential for him.
Creative spaces have always allowed Billy to thrive, even when traditional classrooms were difficult. When Billy discovered Free 2 Be Me Dance, he immediately wanted to be part of it. Stephanie remembers, “When he saw you guys, he said, ‘Mom, that’s where I want to be.’ And when I left there last week, I told Billy, ‘You’re right, they are really nice people."'

Billy’s involvement in dance has been transformative. He even started teaching dance classes from home via Zoom, finding that dance is crucial to his mental health and well-being. “He loves being around people and helping other students. Dance keeps him focused,” Stephanie says.
Billy dreams of becoming a background dancer, and when asked about his favorite thing at Free 2 Be Me Dance, he says, “I like the ballet class the most. I don’t know why, I just really like it. I also like making new friends, and it’s pretty cool.” Stephanie notes that the environment at Free 2 Be Me Dance is so supportive and controlled that when Billy leaves, he doesn’t feel stressed or anxious. “Everyone is so kind, and that makes me feel calm,” Billy adds.