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Photo by Ryan Kratzer

LEADD (Learning and Engaging through Arts Discipline and Development) is the University of Utah’s Tanner Dance arts and education program for adults with disabilities. It teaches valuable skills through performing and visual arts along with lifelong learning academic and skills based classes. The LEADD Program is designed to give adults with disabilities a place to learn, grow, and express themselves as individuals. Participants have the opportunity to perform and display their work in a year-end spring showcase. For adults who have physical and/or intellectual disabilities who have aged out of the public school system, LEADD provides a continuing education community.

The LEADD Program currently offers four classes each week during the fall and spring sessions.  Registration is per class.  All four classes will participate in the year-end showcase.

For ages 18+. 

Needs-based scholarships and monthly payment options are available. Tanner Dance is a DSPD provider.

To learn more about how to register for this program, click here.

 

Class Information

LEADD Literary Arts

~ Monday 12:30 - 3:30 PM ~

The Monday “Literary Arts” class will focus on literature, visual art, creative writing, and drama.

  • Literacy will include thinking and engaging with on-level reading for adults with disabilities. They will read fiction and non-fiction material. Participants will engage in writing techniques and develop an understanding of literary elements.
  • Visual art will explore concepts such as shape, line, color, texture, and pattern and use class literature and writing as springboards for visual art composition.
  • Drama will focus on building fundamental acting/theatre skills through improvisation, on-level games, and readers theater.

LEADD STEAM

~ Tuesday 12:30 - 3:30 PM ~

The Tuesday “STEAM” class will focus on science, music, and dance.

  • Science will include investigation, problem solving, and hands on experiments through engaging, on-level science curriculum for adults with disabilities.
  • Music will increase participants’ knowledge in melody, rhythm, and dynamics while the class sings, composes, and performs together.
  • Dance will explore shape, space, rhythm, movement quality and include appropriate technique exercises for the whole body.  Teachers will utilize literature and ideas from science curriculum to engage students in creative movement exploration.

LEADD Community Engagement

~ Wednesday 12:30 - 3:30 PM ~

The Wednesday “Community Engagement” class will focus on history, community & service, personal & social well-being and include a short movement class.

  • Community Engagement will help students build awareness of and their role in their world and community through interactive lessons, targeted field trips, and service projects. We use different modes of transportation and will occasionally have different class locations.
  • Adapted PE will engage learners in body awareness and motor skills through a variety of adapted physical activities and cooperative sports.
  • Personal & Social Well-Being will focus on developing self-advocacy skills and how to respect one’s own emotions while respecting others as well. Much of the focus will be on developing well-being through the arts.

LEADD Fine Arts

~ Thursday 12:30 - 3:30 PM ~

The Thursday “Fine Arts” class will focus on dance, visual art, and music.

  • Dance will explore shape, space, rhythm, movement quality and include appropriate technique exercises for the whole body.  Teachers will utilize literature and other springboards to engage students in creative movement exploration.
  • Visual art will explore concepts such as shape, line, color, texture, and pattern, and culminate in unique visual art compositions.
  • Music will increase participants’ knowledge in melody, rhythm, and dynamics while the class sings, composes, and performs together.

Meetings with New Participants

As a new participant, our program directors would love to meet with you before you register. We will give a more specific program overview as well as discuss program expectations, specific needs for the participant, answer questions, and gain a general sense if this program will be a good fit.  By meeting before classes begin, Tanner Dance faculty will have a better understanding of how to best support the participant and ensure a positive experience.

Please email Ben Tillotson at ben.tillotson@utah.edu to schedule a date to meet with our LEADD and Elevate directors.

Adults with Disabilities Calendar

Below are the calendar dates for all of our Adults with Disabilities Programs (all LEADDS and Elevate). Please refer to the calendar below if you have any questions about when classes begin, end, and any breaks in between.