Elizabeth DiNuzzo has always been a big proponent of the arts.

Her oldest daughter, Daphne, takes dance classes, and she says the family is known to dance around the house together.

What You Need To Know

  • With the help of the New York City Ballet, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) held an educational ballet event for children with disabilities

  • Each participant was given a set of fairy wings to get them in costume for their performance

  • Cecile was one of 20 other children to learn from two professional ballet dancers on Saturday

And although her youngest daughter, Cecile, is bound to a device that helps her mobility, she says nothing stops her from joining in on the fun.

“Cecile loves music, I’d say it’s up there with one of your favorite things kiddo,” DiNuzzo said to her daughter.

With the help of the New York City Ballet, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) held an educational ballet event for children with disabilities.

Cecile was one of 20 other children to learn from two professional ballet dancers on Saturday.

“It’s just remarkable to see some of the best dancers in the world just so close,” DiNuzzo said. “It’s incredible, it’s like a front row seat.”

The class began with an energetic warm up that led into an assortment of dances to loosen up the nerves.

Each participant was given a set of fairy wings to get them in costume for their performance.

Dennis Moench is the senior director of education at SPAC, and he said the energy in the room was infectious, so much so that he couldn’t help but join in himself.

“When you’re in the room with the students and with the dancers, and it’s such a welcoming environment to everyone, it’s hard to not just jump in and get involved,” Moench said.

He says it’s important for everyone to get involved with the arts, as it builds real relationships, much like it did Saturday with the students.

“The arts form community, we saw it today,” Moench said. “Many different people who have probably never met before all came together, and were dancing together in one room and that type of connection you don’t get anywhere else.”

DiNuzzo says it’s an encouraging sign to see classes like this being held, and hopes to see more going forward.

“It would be great to see more accessible classes,” DiNuzzo said. “That would be fantastic. Daphne likes to take dance lessons. Maybe someday CeCe will sign up and take her first recital.”