Our Vision
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BAMD’s WHY is to empower people with disabilities so they feel equal and powerful in the world
Our mission at BAMD is to provide a place where people of all abilities and disabilities can express themselves, individually and as a community, through our shared love for dance. Together, we endeavour to learn and to grow as dancers and as leaders, developing the skills necessary to become advocates for ourselves and our communities.
Through our programming, we are committed to creating a space that is safe and accessible for everyone who wants to join us and Bust a Move!
Our Story
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BAMD was founded in 2009
…after our Director Ali Phillips was invited to assist Big Night Out – a monthly social event for young adults with disabilities in Brisbane, Australia. It was immediately apparent how much joy dance brought the participants, allowing them the opportunity to be themselves. BAMD classes began after an invitation to hold structured dance classes for these same young adults and over the years has been in high demand and has experienced exceptional growth.
BAMD now runs multiple classes per week internationally in Toronto Canada and continues to run it’s classes in Brisbane Australia with the hopes to grow as the years continue
Our Values
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Limitless
Recognizing the boundless opportunities, potential and expansion of our students, society and global community.
Inclusive
A consistent practice in acceptance and inclusion of all, regardless of ability, age, size, sex, gender, religion, gender and race
Love
Believing and embodying that we are whole, complete and enough as individuals just as we are.
At BAMD we live and breathe these three values
Our tagline is a direct extension of our vision and mission. At BAMD we live and breathe these three values, walking the walk and talking the talk. They are what we hold most important to us as a community regardless of setting or situation.
They are our Northern star, our guiding light of which when we are put to the test, they ground and anchor us back to our sense purpose.
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Bust a Move is a very important mental, physical and social program for my daughter who has avidly participated in as many classes as possible since the program began. It goes beyond a typical dance program with a consistent structure that includes journaling, meditation, yoga, group discussions and lots of laughter. We revolve our family schedule around her classes and every instructor has been able to motivate her to work hard.
- BAMD Parent
Our Philosophy
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With a conscious focus on mindfulness, learning to be and stay within the present moment, setting intentions and accepting and believing in ones self, BAMD uses dance as vehicle for the exploration of social and emotional development. We aim to create a safe space for all dancers to practice important life skills for the ‘outside world’ in an accessible and non-judgemental dance studio.
Universal Design for Learning
Teachers are trained to ensure all classes are designed to be accessible and inclusive, regardless of age, colour, ability, size, including those who typically do not have access to the benefits of dance
Dance Specific Skills
Teachers facilitate the exploration of improvisation, dancing in front of a camera, genre specific techniques, contact improvisation and more
Social, Emotional & Physical Development
From active listening to positive thinking to stamina, teachers explore facilitating dance through a different lens, understanding its power as a vehicle for personal development and change