UCO hosts ‘Dance and Down Syndrome’ camp
EDMOND — The University of Central Oklahoma’s Oklahoma Center for Arts Education and Department of Dance brought dance and music excerpts from Disney’s “The Descendants” to the stage during the annual weeklong Dance and Down Syndrome Music Theatre Camp.
In its 11th year, the camp offered attendees daily music classes and dance and acting rehearsals within a fun and safe environment. Performers ages 13 and older experienced the joys of theater, with a unique mixture of song and dance.
At the camp’s conclusion, campers put on a final show for the community, followed by pizza and cake with family and camp staff.
UCO dance alumnae Brandi Kelley and Carrie Conwell served as the camp’s instructors.
“This group of dedicated performers always gives 1,000 percent effort and evokes a certain type of joy in the audience,” Kelley said. “Even though Carrie and I are doing the teaching, they actually have taught us a lot about the strengths they find in their disability, and it’s a rewarding experience to be able to teach such a great group of performers.”
The camp began in 2007 as a passion project spearheaded by UCO Dance professor Robyn Pasternack, whose daughter was born with Down syndrome.
Pasternack’s involvement with the community and passion for dance created a magical combination for Down syndrome performers who had the same passion for music and dance.
The theater camp is hosted by the Oklahoma Center for Arts Education, a division of the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design.
For more information, contact Ines Burnham at iburnham@uco.edu or 405-974-3784.
Steven Akins is director of Marketing and Promotions at the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design.