Global Down Syndrome

IT'S AN HOUR before the curtain opens for the official Colorado Ballet matinee production of The Nutcracker. Cora Jane Thompson and Kristina Penfield excitedly wait backstage for the final touches on their hair and makeup. Their eyes twinkle as cream-colored bows are weaved throughout their bouncy curls and their smiles spread from ear to ear as each of their moms sweeps bright pink blush across their cheeks. After lacing up their ballet shoes, they are more than ready to shine. After all, they've been practicing their tondus and pliés for weeks in the Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Program. It's showtime, and they are ready to sparkle across The Ellie Caulkins Opera House stage. "I love to dance, and I love dancing with my friends," Kristina said. "I love dancing in The Nutcracker. I feel happy and special to dance with the ballerinas." The two star students showed off their dance skills as part of the ensemble of children partygoers in the holiday production alongside professional dancers from Colorado Ballet. Kristina and Cora Jane performed one matinee together and then each danced in separate prime- time Thursday night shows with over 2,000 people in the audience. "I love to show off my skills in front of soooo many people. The other ballerinas are nice and helpful," Cora Jane said. The Colorado Ballet classic is the largest production of The Nutcracker in Colorado and a long-standing tradition in the Colorado Ballet community. For the past five years, Global has worked with Colorado Ballet to prepare two students from Global's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Program to be a part of the holiday magic. "The audience has a chance to see dancers of different abilities perform onstage together," said Jennifer GaNun, a Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Instructor and Colorado Ballet professional. "It allows all of us a chance to see past our differences and make a connection based on our mutual love for dance. My hope is this can be a catalyst to find other connections as well." Global's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Program started eight years ago and is a series of two seasons, with 10 students in three classes each season. The success of the class is based on Global's unique collaboration with the Colorado Ballet and Patricia C. Winders, the internationally renowned physical therapist at the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children's Hospital Colorado. "The Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Program is a wonderful way to get students with Down syndrome interested and proficient at dance in an environment where professionals are able to address issues around repetition and distraction that are slightly different for our children with Down syndrome," said Michelle Sie Whitten, Co- founder, President, and CEO of Global. "Since most of our students are included at their local public schools, it is also an opportunity to make friends with other children with Down syndrome." Bring Glitter and Glam to The Nutcracker Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dancers The Global Down Syndrome Foundation's Be Beautiful Be Yourself Dance Program is made possible by generous grants from The Melvin & Elaine Wolf Foundation, the Daniels Fund, and the Anna and John J. Sie Foundation. 2018 ISSUE 1 OF 4 • DOWN SYNDROME WORLD ™ 30

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