The LEADD Program (Learning and Engaging through Arts Discipline and Development) is Tanner Dance’s arts and education program for adults with disabilities. The LEADD Program teaches valuable life skills through dance, music, theater, and visual art, and incorporates lifelong learning through reading, creative writing, and science classes. The LEADD Program is designed to give adults with disabilities a place to learn and grow as individuals as well as express themselves as artists through multiple artistic mediums and genres. The LEADD Program participants will have the opportunity to perform and display their work in a year-end showcase.
The LEADD Program currently offers three classes each week during the fall and spring sessions. Registration is per class. All three classes will participate in the year-end showcase.
For ages 18+.
LEADD Literary Arts
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 graphic novels, fairy tales, and fiction.
- 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.
Needs-based scholarships and monthly payment options are available. Tanner Dance is a DSPD provider.
If you have DSPD, DO NOT register below. Please contact our office at (801)581-7374 with your support coordinator's name, phone number, and email so we can work out billing with them. We will also help you register for the class(es) you're interested in.
Schedule Overview:
Mondays
12:30 - 3:30 PM
LEADD & Elevate Fall Orientation (Guardians + Participants) - Monday, August 21, 2023 @ 6:15-7:00 PM via Zoom
LEADD Literary Arts First Day - Monday, August 21, 2023
Labor Day No LEADD Literary Arts– Monday, September 4, 2023
Fall Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, October 9 - Saturday, October 14, 2023
Thanksgiving Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, November 20 - Saturday, November 25, 2023
LEADD Winter Celebration - Thursday, December 7th @ 3:30 PM (held during LEADD Fine Arts class for ALL LEADD participants)
Winter Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, December 11, 2023 - Wednesday, January 3, 2024
LEADD Literary Arts Classes Resume - Monday, January 8, 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day No LEADD Literary Arts– Monday, January 15, 2024
President's Day No LEADD Literary Arts– Monday, February 19, 2024
Spring Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, March 18-Saturday, March 23, 2024
LEADD Showcase Dress Rehearsal - Friday, April 5, 2024 @ 5:30 PM
LEADD Literary Arts Last Day - Monday, April 8, 2024
LEADD Showcase + Gallery - Friday, April 12, 2024; 5:30 PM Gallery, 6:00 PM Showcase
LEADD STEAM
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.
Needs-based scholarships and monthly payment options are available. Tanner Dance is a DSPD provider.
If you have DSPD, DO NOT register below. Please contact our office at (801)581-7374 with your support coordinator's name, phone number, and email so we can work out billing with them. We will also help you register for the class(es) you're interested in.
Schedule Overview:
Tuesdays
12:30 - 3:30 PM
LEADD & Elevate Fall Orientation (Guardians + Participants) - Monday, August 21, 2023 @ 6:15-7:00 PM via Zoom
LEADD STEAM First Day - Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Fall Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, October 9 - Saturday, October 14, 2023
Thanksgiving Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, November 20 - Saturday, November 25, 2023
LEADD Winter Celebration – Thursday, December 7th @ 3:30 PM (held during LEADD Fine Arts class for ALL LEADD participants)
Winter Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, December 11, 2023 - Wednesday, January 3, 2024
LEADD STEAM Resumes - Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Spring Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, March 18-Saturday, March 23, 2024
LEADD Showcase Dress Rehearsal - Friday, April 5, 2024 @ 5:30 PM
LEADD STEAM Last Day - Tuesday, April 9, 2024
LEADD Showcase + Gallery - Friday, April 12, 2024; 5:30 PM Gallery, 6:00 PM Showcase
LEADD Community of Caring
The Wednesday “Community of Caring” class will focus on social studies, community service, craft based arts, and include a short movement class.
- Social studies will include the basic elements of geography and history while enhancing participants critical thinking skills.
- Community service will focus on participating in projects/experiences that serve the Salt Lake City community.
- Craft based arts will focus on art forms that are based on learned skills and techniques.
- Movement class will get participants up and out of their seats through creative movement as well as games.
Needs-based scholarships and monthly payment options are available. Tanner Dance is a DSPD provider.
If you have DSPD, DO NOT register below. Please contact our office at (801)581-7374 with your support coordinator's name, phone number, and email so we can work out billing with them. We will also help you register for the class(es) you're interested in.
Schedule Overview:
Wednesdays
12:30 - 3:30 PM
LEADD & Elevate Fall Orientation (Guardians + Participants) - Monday, August 21, 2023 @ 6:15-7:00 PM via Zoom
LEADD Community of Caring First Day - Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Fall Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, October 9 - Saturday, October 14, 2023
Thanksgiving Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, November 20 - Saturday, November 25, 2023
LEADD Winter Celebration – Thursday, December 7th @ 3:30 PM (held during LEADD Fine Arts class for ALL LEADD participants)
Winter Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, December 11, 2023 - Wednesday, January 3, 2024
LEADD Community of Caring Resumes - Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Spring Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, March 18-Saturday, March 23, 2024
LEADD Showcase Dress Rehearsal - Friday, April 5, 2024 @ 5:30 PM
LEADD Community of Caring Last Day - Tuesday, April 10, 2024
LEADD Showcase + Gallery - Friday, April 12, 2024; 5:30 PM Gallery, 6:00 PM Showcase
LEADD Fine Arts
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.
Needs-based scholarships and monthly payment options are available. Tanner Dance is a DSPD provider.
If you have DSPD, DO NOT register below. Please contact our office at (801)581-7374 with your support coordinator's name, phone number, and email so we can work out billing with them. We will also help you register for the class(es) you're interested in.
Schedule Overview:
Thursdays
12:30 - 3:30 PM
LEADD & Elevate Fall Orientation (Guardians + Participants) - Monday, August 21, 2023 @ 6:15-7:00 PM via Zoom
LEADD Fine Arts First Day - Thursday, August 24, 2023
Fall Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, October 9 - Saturday, October 14, 2023
Thanksgiving Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, November 20 - Saturday, November 25, 2023
LEADD Winter Celebration - Thursday, December 7th @ 3:30 PM (held during LEADD Fine Arts class for ALL LEADD participants)
Winter Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, December 11, 2023 - Wednesday, January 3, 2024
LEADD Fine Arts Resumes - Thursday, January 4, 2024
Spring Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, March 18-Saturday, March 23, 2024
LEADD Showcase Dress Rehearsal - Friday, April 5, 2024 @ 5:30 PM
LEADD Fine Arts Last Day - Thursday, April 11, 2024
LEADD Showcase + Gallery - Friday, April 12, 2024; 5:30 PM Gallery, 6:00 PM Showcase
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 call us at (801) 581-7374 or email eliza.c.zenger@utah.edu to be connected with Eliza Zenger 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.
LEADD & Elevate Fall Orientation (Guardians + Participants) - Monday, August 21, 2023 @ 6:15-7:00 PM via Zoom
LEADD Literary Arts First Day - Monday, August 21, 2023
LEADD STEAM First Day - Tuesday, August 22, 2023
LEADD Community of Caring First Day - Wednesday, August 23, 2023
LEADD Fine Arts First Day - Thursday, August 24, 2023
Elevate First Day - Saturday, August 26, 2023
Labor Day No LEADD Literary Arts– Monday, September 4, 2023
Fall Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, October 9 - Saturday, October 14, 2023
Thanksgiving break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, November 20 - Saturday, November 25, 2023
LEADD Winter Celebration - Thursday, December 7th @ 3:30 PM (held during LEADD Fine Arts class for ALL LEADD participants)
Winter Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming– Monday, December 11, 2023 - Wednesday, January 3, 2024
LEADD Fine Arts Resumes - Thursday, January 4, 2024
Elevate Resumes - Saturday, January 6, 2024
LEADD Literary Arts Resume - Monday, January 8, 2024
LEADD STEAM Resumes - Tuesday, January 9, 2024
LEADD Community of Caring Resumes - Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day No LEADD Literary Arts – Monday, January 15, 2024
President's Day No LEADD Literary Arts– Monday, February 19, 2024
Spring Break No Adults with Disabilities Programming – Monday, March 18-Saturday, March 23, 2024
LEADD Showcase Dress Rehearsal - Friday, April 5, 2024 @ 5:30 PM
LEADD Literary Arts Last Day - Monday, April 8, 2024
LEADD STEAM Last Day - Tuesday, April 9, 2024
LEADD Community of Caring Last Day - Wednesday , April 10, 2024
LEADD Fine Arts Last Day - Thursday, April 11, 2024
LEADD Showcase + Gallery - Friday, April 12, 2024; 5:30 PM Gallery, 6:00 PM Showcase
Elevate Last Day - Saturday, April 22, 2023
Elevate Dress Rehearsal - Thursday, April 25, 2024 @ Rose Wagner Theatre
Elevate Dress Rehearsal - Friday, April 26, 2024 @ Rose Wagner Theatre
Elevate Performance - Saturday, April 27, 2024 @ Rose Wagner Theatre
Adaptive Needs Dance Class
Consider adding a class on Saturdays! What is Adaptive Needs Dance? Every person deserves the opportunity to dance! Adaptive Needs Dance classes are for children and young adults who wish to experience the joy of moving and self-expression. The class includes appropriate technique exercises for the whole body, and dancers explore shape, space, rhythm, and movement quality. Teachers use literature and other springboards that they creatively weave into the class. All classes have live accompaniment by experienced and engaging musicians. The AnD classes have the opportunity to perform at Kingsbury Hall in a year-end performance. For more information, please contact Joni Wilson at joni.wilson@utah.edu.
Adaptive Needs Dance: 15+ years (ID: VTAND4-21/22)
Saturdays 11:45 am - 12:45 pm
Full Year: $200.00
*Installment payments available. Please click on "Register Here" and choose the installment option. You will be paying the first installment out of eight (8) payments.
**If you have DSPD, please call our office at (801)581-7374 to get registered for the class and to give us your support coordinator's contact information for billing purposes.