Here at Tanner Dance we are fortunate to provide multiple class types for dancers with disabilities. This includes LEADD - an art and education program for adults with disabilities; Elevate Theater Co. - our musical theatre company for performers with disabilities; along with our Studio's Adaptive Needs Dance classes for children and young adults with disabilities, including a class for individuals in wheelchairs.
Our dancers with disabilities catalog can be found below. You can also click the links in the navigation bar above to learn more about each of our dance classes.
Our LEADD and Elevate programs include an interview process which you can learn more about here. You can also access their annual calendars here.
Do you want to volunteer within our disabilities community? Please make your inquires to ben.tillotson@utah.edu.
CREATE YOUR NEW SAWYER ACCOUNT HERE
We have switched registration providers this year so your old account will no longer work for registration. Our new provider is called Sawyer. Here is a user guide on how to set up your account. (Great news, with this switch, you won't need to fill out new forms each year!!)
Important note about communication contacts:
With Sawyer, when you create your account, you will be the 'Primary Contact' responsible for the dancer and will automatically be assigned as the person to receive emails. If you are purchasing a class but are not the primary caregiver, we strongly suggest they make the account instead. Primary and Secondary contacts are responsible for all communications between Tanner Dance and the dancer and we cannot switch ownership on our backend.
University of Utah staff
Even if you have previously set up your staff discount, you will need to re-verify your uNID. If you have not yet set up your University of Utah staff discount, please contact the office to set that up before registering. You will need a valid uNID ready when you call. We encourage you to set this up prior to registration opening as some classes can sell out fast.
Tips for Registration
- Learn if you qualify for a scholarship here.
- We know parking can be difficult on campus. Read through some of our tips and insights.
- Our registration system has been updated. Sawyer's user guide can answer many of your questions.
As we all adjust to our new registration system - Sawyer - we would like to offer dedicated office hours to help you set up accounts and answer your questions. You can also always reach us at tannerdance@utah.edu or 801-581-7374.
Tuesday 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Thursday 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Full DWD Catalog for 2025-2026
If searching for LEADD or Elevate registration below, switch to 'Appointments' tab. Registration for these two programs opens to the public May 12th.
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Individual Registration Links & Class Details
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Our LEADD program is our arts and education program for adults with disabilities. We give these individuals a place to develop valuable skills through lifelong-learning classes. For adults who have physical and/or intellectual disabilities who have aged out of the public school system, LEADD provides life and vocational skills.
LEADD Class Offerings - Registration Opens May 12th
The Monday “Literary Arts” class will focus on literature, visual art, creative writing, and drama.
- Literature will include thinking and engaging with on-level reading for adults with disabilities. They will read fiction and non-fiction material.
- 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.
- Creative writing will contain thematic units working with students’ own ideas through pictures, tracing, and sentence structure.
- Drama will focus on building fundamental acting/theatre skills through improvisation, on-level games, and readers theater. This class will directly support the skills learned in Literature and Creative Writing classes.
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.
The Wednesday “Community of Caring” class will focus on history, community & service, personal & social well-being and include a short movement class. Art, music, and movement will be integrated throughout each lesson.
- History & Global Awareness will help students build awareness of their world and the impact of previous generations.
- Community Service will focus on participating in projects that serve the Salt Lake City community while also learning how to be aware of our role in the community.
- Personal & Social Well-Being will focus on developing self-advocacy skills and how to respect one’s own emotions while respecting others as well.
- Movement class will get participants up and out of their seats through creative movement as well as games.
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.
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Elevate Theater Company Class
~ Registration Opens May 12th ~
Elevate Theater Co. - Registration for the public opens May 12th
The Elevate Theater Company is our musical theater company for performers with disabilities. Students who participate in this program will engage in classes full of singing, dancing, and acting which in turn will help them to develop social skills, cognitive skills and mobility/physical skills. Students will explore a variety of different emotions and characters framed in various scenarios as they prepare for their annual show. For ages 15+.
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Adaptive Needs Dance Classes
~ Semester Begins August 18th 2025 ~
Adaptive Needs Dance classes are for children and young adults who wish to experience the joy of moving and self-expression. These classes includes age and ability appropriate technique exercises for the whole body, and the exploration of shape, space, rhythm, and movement qualities. Teachers use literature and other springboard ideas to explore movement. All classes have live accompaniment by experienced and engaging musicians. Dancers in the adaptive dance classes have the opportunity to perform at Kingsbury Hall in a year-end performance.
Adaptive Needs Dance Classes - Registration Opens April 8th
Adaptive Needs Dance 3-7 Yrs.
Tuesdays: 4:30 PM- 5:30 PM
Tuition and fees: $680
Adaptive Needs Dance 8-14 Yrs.
Saturdays: 10:30 AM- 11:30 AM
Tuition and fees: $640
Adaptive Needs Dance 15+ Yrs.
Saturdays: 11:45 AM- 12:45 PM
Tuition and fees: $640
Adaptive Needs Dance Wheels
Wednesdays: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuition and fees: $680
Interested in our other programs?
Adults with Disabilities
Elevate Theater Co.
Virginia Tanner Studio
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