MEET NIA!
Nia found F2BMD through Down Syndrome Association, and has been part of the program since it’s start 16 years ago. Nia enjoys her friends most during class. Her most memorable moment has been performing at the big stage at CSUN, and watching the premier of the F2BMD Documentary. Nia’s family believes a large part of her confidence, happiness, weight control, and showmanship has come from the program. In her free time, she enjoys all of the arts. Dancing, singing, acting, drawing, painting playing instruments, and making videos.
MEET ALEXIS!
Alexis joined F2BMD at just 5 years old, she’s now 16! She enjoys just about every part of class, her friends, volunteers, and teachers. Her most memorable part of the program was performing at SaMoHi and having so much fun she had to be pulled off stage. Dance has helped Alexis with her listening skills, following directions, and perseverance to reach her goals. In her free time, she likes spending time with family, camping, and riding her Sea-Doo!
Alexis joined F2BMD at just 5 years old, she’s now 16! She enjoys just about every part of class, her friends, volunteers, and teachers. Her most memorable part of the program was performing at SaMoHi and having so much fun she had to be pulled off stage. Dance has helped Alexis with her listening skills, following directions, and perseverance to reach her goals. In her free time, she likes spending time with family, camping, and riding her Sea-Doo!
MEET MARISOL!
Marisol is a 15 year old dancer, her family found F2BMD through an online search, and has been with our program since 2022. She likes connecting with friends and volunteers, being creative on the dance floor. Dance has given Marisol confidence, and she has only performed in front of an audience through dance class, never at school. Marisol has started becoming more social and she even joined cheer at school backed by her dance experience. When she’s not at F2BMD, she enjoys singing.
Marisol is a 15 year old dancer, her family found F2BMD through an online search, and has been with our program since 2022. She likes connecting with friends and volunteers, being creative on the dance floor. Dance has given Marisol confidence, and she has only performed in front of an audience through dance class, never at school. Marisol has started becoming more social and she even joined cheer at school backed by her dance experience. When she’s not at F2BMD, she enjoys singing.
MEET HELEN!
Helen is 22 and has been dancing at F2BMD dance for 3 years, and found the program through DSALA. Her favorite part of dance class is Free Dance after Hip Hop, where she gets the spotlight all to herself. She also greatly enjoys the performance at the 8 Count Dance recital. Her family feels like she has improved in discipline, teamwork, being responsible, and her physical wellbeing. Outside of dance, Helen is a photographer and artist.
Helen is 22 and has been dancing at F2BMD dance for 3 years, and found the program through DSALA. Her favorite part of dance class is Free Dance after Hip Hop, where she gets the spotlight all to herself. She also greatly enjoys the performance at the 8 Count Dance recital. Her family feels like she has improved in discipline, teamwork, being responsible, and her physical wellbeing. Outside of dance, Helen is a photographer and artist.
MEET MARC!
Marc has been dancing at F2BMD since he was just 7 years old, he will be 21 in February! His favorite part of dance is having fun with his friends, and his favorite moment since joining the program was performing at the World Special Olympics in 2015. Marc enjoys basketball, tennis and bowling. He also has earned a black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art. At the time, he was the only person in his class with a disability, and is the first person with Down Syndrome to achieve it
Marc has been dancing at F2BMD since he was just 7 years old, he will be 21 in February! His favorite part of dance is having fun with his friends, and his favorite moment since joining the program was performing at the World Special Olympics in 2015. Marc enjoys basketball, tennis and bowling. He also has earned a black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art. At the time, he was the only person in his class with a disability, and is the first person with Down Syndrome to achieve it
MEET MONICA!
Monica joined F2BMD at 11 years old, 8 years ago! She has a dual diagnosis, which means she has autism as well as DS. Dance has helped by exposing her to loud environments in class, and overcoming her anxiety before and during performances. Her favorite part of class is being able to dance while spending time with her friends. When she isn’t dancing, Monica enjoys swimming, playing basketball, and playing with her dog!
Monica joined F2BMD at 11 years old, 8 years ago! She has a dual diagnosis, which means she has autism as well as DS. Dance has helped by exposing her to loud environments in class, and overcoming her anxiety before and during performances. Her favorite part of class is being able to dance while spending time with her friends. When she isn’t dancing, Monica enjoys swimming, playing basketball, and playing with her dog!
MEET DAYANNA!
Dayanna is a 18 year old dancer and has been at F2BMD dance for 7 years. Her twin sisters (7yo) started dancing with us this semester! Dayanna enjoys the independence that dance gives her, as well as spending time with her dance friends. Her mom says that the program has given her and her daughters emotional support, strength, and hope. Outside of dance, Dayanna enjoys going to school, making Tik Toks, and playing with her sisters.
Dayanna is a 18 year old dancer and has been at F2BMD dance for 7 years. Her twin sisters (7yo) started dancing with us this semester! Dayanna enjoys the independence that dance gives her, as well as spending time with her dance friends. Her mom says that the program has given her and her daughters emotional support, strength, and hope. Outside of dance, Dayanna enjoys going to school, making Tik Toks, and playing with her sisters.
MEET AUBREY!
Aubrey is 17 and joined F2BMD in the Spring of 2023, and found our program through her best friend. Dance class and performances give her something to look forward to every Sunday, and a chance to learn valuable skills alongside her friends. Aubrey’s family says she’s benefitted the most from the patience and kindness of instructors, and learning how to socialize outside her friend group. Aubrey likes drawing, cheer, karaoke, zumba, and making Tik Toks.
Aubrey is 17 and joined F2BMD in the Spring of 2023, and found our program through her best friend. Dance class and performances give her something to look forward to every Sunday, and a chance to learn valuable skills alongside her friends. Aubrey’s family says she’s benefitted the most from the patience and kindness of instructors, and learning how to socialize outside her friend group. Aubrey likes drawing, cheer, karaoke, zumba, and making Tik Toks.
MEET ARANZA!
Aranza is a 14 year old dancer who joined our program just a month ago. Since then we’ve seen her confidence and friendships blossom. Dance class to her means a chance to socialize with peers like herself, more friends, and motivation to get moving. Her favorite part of class is dancing with the volunteers, our “special friends.” Outside of dance, Aranza likes to play, go to the park, and listen to music.
Aranza is a 14 year old dancer who joined our program just a month ago. Since then we’ve seen her confidence and friendships blossom. Dance class to her means a chance to socialize with peers like herself, more friends, and motivation to get moving. Her favorite part of class is dancing with the volunteers, our “special friends.” Outside of dance, Aranza likes to play, go to the park, and listen to music.
