Expressive Movement Initiative at UCLA (EMI) is a student-led organization dedicated to putting on free dance classes for children with physical and intellectual disabilities to express themselves through movement. Our mission is to empower our buddies through weekly dance classes that foster creativity, connection, and joy, creating a safe space to build confidence and become more comfortable in their skills. 

We offer online classes every Wednesday and Friday and an in-person class on Mondays to increase our programs’s accessibility to families across the state. During each class, dancers explore a new choreography and spend one-on-one time with their paired EMI volunteer—building meaningful relationships that last throughout their entire EMI experience. Each quarter concludes with a recital, where dancers have the opportunity to showcase their hard work and growth. Watching the dancers express themselves, build confidence, and form amazing bonds with their volunteer buddies is truly heartwarming and inspiring.

For our in person program, we move together for the entire duration of the class each week. Our online program, however, alternates between group and buddy classes. Our students are paired one-on-one with an undergraduate volunteer/buddy. In group classes, all of our dancers and volunteers are in one zoom room, learning routines and exercises from our artistic directors: Ava and Maddie. Then in the following buddy class, our students reinforce those skills with their buddy and engage in fun games and activities. We are extremely proud of the meaningful, trusting friendships that our club fosters between our students and buddies. 

In a larger movement to reduce stigma around athletics and disability, we collaborate with other student organizations at UCLA, such as Special Olympics, to promote inclusivity in sports. Through donations, we’re able to provide free classes and resources for the Disability community in the greater LA area. 

The goal of EMI is to teach children with disabilities the fundamentals of dance as an expressive outlet through artistic movement, whilst fostering mentorship and a sense of community for both students and teachers alike. We aim to reduce the stigma surrounding disability by providing free, tailored dance lessons accessible for over 21 dancers, ages 4-17. Many of our returning students have been with EMI longer than some of our volunteers! 

The most important thing to our club is maintaining the accessibility of these dance classes. We need your help to keep this program free and available to all to ensure that we can maintain and grow our program! Your donation ensures that these classes remain free of charge for dancers and their families. It will help us:

• Provide interactive materials for dancers to use during class
• Send personalized recital packages with thoughtful goodies and a letter from their buddy
• Host an end-of-year banquet, where dancers, families, and volunteers can connect, celebrate, and often meet in person for the first time.
• Cover costs for our in-person classes, such as parking, transportation and venue costs 

These classes are more than just an opportunity to dance; they are a safe space where participants can express themselves, build friendships, and experience joy. Every week, our dancers show up excited to move, learn, and connect, and it’s incredible to witness the positive impact this program has on their lives.

By donating, you’re not just supporting dance classes, you’re creating a community of inclusion and empowerment. Please consider making a donation today to help us keep this program going. Together, we can ensure that every dancer has a space to reach for the stars!

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Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.