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Colleen PerryFOUNDER / DIRECTOR
Colleen (she/her) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California (MFC38937). Early in the year 2009, Colleen read an article in People magazine about an amazing program at the Boston Ballet teaching dance to children with Down syndrome, and was immediately inspired to fly to Boston and meet with the director of the program. She is thrilled to bring this unique and special class to Los Angeles, combining her love of dance and desire to bring dance to those with Down syndrome.
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Gretchen NevilleBALLET INSTRUCTOR
Gretchen (she/her) had a dream of becoming a ballerina at a very young age. She’s had extensive training throughout her dance career in ballet, tap, jazz and acrobatics with an emphasis in ballet. Gretchen joined Free 2 Be Me Dance in 2018 to teach Ballet II and fell in love with these dancers. She has always believed that every child should have access to the gift of dance! The joy she feels when she engages with her students is immeasurable. As they learn from her, she learns from them.
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Rachel SymonsPROGRAM COORDINATOR / INSTRUCTOR
Rachel (she/they) is a social and emotional arts educator, dancer and media artist. She is passionate about using the arts and play for physical, mental and spiritual joy and celebration for people of all abilities. Rachel is trained in the Social Emotional Arts through the UCLArts & Healing certification program, and is a trained Dance For All and Beat the Odds facilitator. She has extensive experience working with people with disabilities in the arts and is part of the neurodiverse community herself. She has her MA in Journalism from the University of Southern California, Bachelor of Science in Women's Studies from Sacramento State and has danced at Santa Monica College. Rachel is honored to be a part of Free 2 Be Me Dance and to contribute her knowledge and skills to changing the landscape of dance education so that all can experience their joy of dance.
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Our Story,Free 2 Be Me Dance is an inclusive dance program for people of all abilities. It began as a labor of love by Colleen Perry, former ballet dancer and current Marriage and Family Therapist. Inspired by the Boston Ballet's adaptive dance program in conjunction with Children's Hospital Boston, she started Free 2 Be Me Dance to serve the needs of those with Down syndrome in the Los Angeles area. Today, Free 2 Be Me Dance has expanded to serve all individuals regardless of diagnosis or ability, while centering the needs of those with disabilities.
The mission of Free 2 Be Me Dance is to be a vehicle for self-expression through dance in a nonjudgmental environment. Through careful guidance and lots of attention in the classes, the dancers learn proper dance technique, coordination, and how to follow directions. It is a chance for the dancers to feel accepted all while having fun, building confidence, strength, and forming meaningful relationships with their fellow dancers, as well as with their teachers, peer mentors and co-dancers. |
Board of Directors
Colleen PerryPRESIDENT
Colleen Perry started Free 2 Be Me Dance in 2009 as a labor of love inspired by the Boston Ballet's adaptive dance program. As Board President, she combines her passion for dance as a former ballet dancer, previous role in corporate America, current role as a Marriage and Family Therapist, with her affinity for people with Down syndrome. Her role is to ensure the Free 2 Be Me Dance program maintains its exceptionally high standards, and continues to add value and joy to all of the dancers, families, and those who are lucky enough to see them perform!
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Jay Barr TREASURER
Jay Barr is a Free 2 Be Me board member and the COO at Savitsky, Satin, Bacon & Bucci, a business management firm in Los Angeles. He has been excited to bring his knowledge of business and finance to Free 2 Be Me in order to help as many dancers as possible be part of this unique and special program.
When he isn’t working or at a Free 2 Be Me board meeting, Jay is on the golf course or spending time traveling to see his 3 grown children, who have all grown up participating in dance, theater, and music. |
Melanie MillerSECRETARY
Melanie Miller has been associated with Free 2 Be Me Dance for 10 years and is happy to celebrate our upcoming anniversary. She finds herself fortunate to serve wonderful dancers, their parents and the F2BMD Board.
Melanie brings 45 years of healthcare experience mainly in the nursing service line. She migrated to supply chain management because she felt that her skill sets would best serve patients and families as an advocate for the best medical supplies at the lowest best cost. She loves Free 2 Be Me and hopes that the world at large will happily engage and support the well deserving dancers throughout the year. |
Bill StierleBOARD MEMBER
Bill Stierle has been teaching and training for over 37 years. He has studied human performance and the human condition with extraordinary mentors such as Marshall Rosenberg, Ned Herrmann, Robert Bly, Joseph Campbell and many others. Groups small and large, including Fortune companies, professional associations, government organizations, schools and universities have all benefited from his practical trainings and impactful content.
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Harshal DoshiBOARD MEMBER
Harshal Doshi is the father of one of our dancers, Jaya. He serves as the voice of our parents on the board and facilitates communication to the parents. He also heads the Parent Subcommittee which meets once a month to discuss important topics related to the program and as a support group for parents to share information and resources.
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Paige Briana HallBOARD MEMBER
Paige Briana Hall is a previous Free 2 Be Me Dance volunteer passionate about empowering individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities. Having always felt a deep connection with her younger sister with Down Syndrome, Paige knew she wanted to help create an inclusive environment for her sister and others like her. Currently, she serves as an Evaluation Program Specialist at UCLA and is in her final year of completing her graduate degree at UCLA's School of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Sciences. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, cooking, and listening to self-improvement podcasts.
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Kelly Breaux
HONORARY BOARD MEMBER
Kelly Breaux has gone from World Champion Houston Rocket Cheerleader to movie and television choreographer to International Fitness Presenter. She has been a featured guest on Fox Networks Resort and Spa, FIT.TV and ESPN's Crunch Fitness. In addition, she has acted as a performer and co-choreographer for Paula Abdul's latest cardio dance video. Some of her other Star clients include Salma Hayek, Kirstie Alley, Maria Bello and Annabeth Gish.
Kelly has traveled to over forty countries teaching world class fitness to aerobic teachers and gym owners. She has also coached and choreographed over 100 top Ms.Fitness competitors from all over the world, many of whom have brought home numerous national, world and universe titles.
Kelly is a pioneer in her field and strives to always keep it on the cutting edge. Her innovative street jam, hip hop and funk moves have been called "... some of the best stuff this side of the Atlantic" according to the London author, Martika Hearner in her book "Secrets of an Aerobic Instructor".
Kelly has traveled to over forty countries teaching world class fitness to aerobic teachers and gym owners. She has also coached and choreographed over 100 top Ms.Fitness competitors from all over the world, many of whom have brought home numerous national, world and universe titles.
Kelly is a pioneer in her field and strives to always keep it on the cutting edge. Her innovative street jam, hip hop and funk moves have been called "... some of the best stuff this side of the Atlantic" according to the London author, Martika Hearner in her book "Secrets of an Aerobic Instructor".
