Exploring Louisiana's culture through music, dance, and art.
Dance For All is a multi-tiered program created to widen dance opportunities for individuals with disabilities and those with limited access to the art form. The program includes a training component for teachers and a regular schedule of classes held at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center as well as locations throughout the Greater Baton Rouge community.
FALL 2026 SEASON
The Dance For All 2026 Fall Season is coming soon! Registration opens July 20th and closes September 18th at 11:59 p.m. There will be an initial workshop class on September 26 for instructors to evaluate each student’s dance/movement level. This evaluation does not determine class participation as the workshop is open to all.
Season Schedule:
Sat, Sept. 26
Workshop: 2:00–2:45 PM (Ages 2 - 7)
Workshop: 3:00–3:45 PM (Ages 8–9+)
Sundays
Sept. 27 • Oct. 4, 11, 18 & 25 • Nov. 1
1:30–3:45 PM
Sat, Oct. 31
Halloween Classes • 1:30–3:45 PM
Classes are divided into three 45-minute sessions. Age groups may vary based on enrollment.
HOW IT STARTED
Dance For All was formed to address accessibility in dance and has been generously funded by the Pennington Family Foundation since its inception. The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge has spearheaded the program for the entire state of Louisiana — presenting its first informational session at the Louisiana Arts Summit in spring 2021.
What followed were conversations surrounding a formal training series and implementation plan — culminating in a visit by Arts Council representatives to the Nashville Ballet Company, which hosts an acclaimed accessible dance program called Adaptive Dance: New Perspectives.
Today, Dance For All works toward a statewide goal: providing professional education and networking to dance professionals, educators, administrators, occupational therapists, and physical therapists so that students of all abilities can fully participate in the art of dance throughout Louisiana.
MEET THE INSTRUCTORS
Kaitlyn Odell
Kaitlyn Odell grew up in Gonzales, LA, training and competing in all styles of dance for 14 years. She has spent the past 8 years teaching dancers of all ages and abilities, including helping launch adaptive dance classes designed for children with unique physical, social, and cognitive needs. Kaitlyn holds dual degrees in Biological Engineering and Kinesiology with a minor in Dance from LSU and is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans. She hopes to one day use dance as a form of physical therapy, combining her love of movement with her passion for helping others.
COHORT MEMBERS:
Bailey Floyd
Bailey Floyd is a Memphis native now living in Baton Rouge. With 23 years of training and a decade of competitive dance, she has earned numerous regional and national titles. She holds a B.A. in Dance, Psychology, and Biology from The University of Alabama, where she performed with the Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre and received multiple awards for performance, choreography, and academics. Bailey earned her Master of Occupational Therapy from UTHSC in 2024, receiving the President’s Award, and now practices in pediatrics while teaching at The Danse Difference. Through the Arts Council’s Dance For All Initiative, she combines her passions for dance, science, and community service.
Clare Cook, Basin Arts – Lafayette Parish
Giulia Fedeli, free-lance dancer – East Baton Rouge Parish
Anna Schwab – NOCCA – Orleans Parish
Gregory Schramel – New Orleans Ballet Theatre – Orleans Parish
Kaitlyn Odell, Dance instructor and Physical Therapy student – Ascension Parish
Jodey Bruno, The Dance Difference studio, Ascension Parish
Bailey Floyd, Occupational Therapist, Memphis, TN and East Baton Rouge Parish
