Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company & A. Harry Moore School: A Journey of Movement and Inclusion

In 2015, Nai-Ni Chen connected with the A. Harry Moore (AHM) School and discovered that, due to limited funding, the school did not have access to formal cultural arts programming. After several visits and meaningful interactions, Ms. Chen envisioned a dance program tailored for AHM students—one that would offer both artistic expression and emotional connection.

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She noticed the students' overwhelming enthusiasm for live dance and music, and also recognized a unique challenge: finding an individualized connection with each student while preserving the collaborative spirit that is essential to dance and dance education.

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In 2016, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company launched a weekly dance class for a group of ten students. Teaching Artist Bo Pang developed a flexible, adaptive movement curriculum specifically designed for this population, engaging both students and caregivers in the creative process.

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This was not Ms. Chen’s first experience working with dancers with disabilities—back in 2005, she choreographed for Dancing Wheels of Cleveland, one of the nation’s premier wheelchair dance companies. Yet the complexity of the AHM student population called for an even more responsive and personalized approach.

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That same year, the Company introduced its first creative theme: Under the Sea. Movements were carefully tailored to students’ abilities and developed in close collaboration with AHM teachers and principal. Students created original artwork to decorate the performance space, and their live performance was met with overwhelming positivity. Encouraged by this success, the program continued.

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In 2017, the theme became Amusement Park, co-developed with the students. Since many had never visited a theme park, classroom teachers, online resources, and artists worked together to help spark students’ imaginations and translate their ideas into movement.

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As Lori Bering, AHM’s Adaptive Physical Education teacher, shared:

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“You have surpassed and shattered their benchmark and gone way beyond.”

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These experiences became more than physical activity—they inspired students to embrace their bodies as instruments of art and begin seeing themselves as dancers. Performances brought joy and pride to both students and their families.

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“This project changes the child’s negative body image and raises their self-esteem in a meaningful way. Their body, which is often looked at as being broken, is now a work of art.”
— Steven Goldberg, Former Principal, A. Harry Moore School

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In recognition of this groundbreaking work, the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company received the 2018 Innovator Award at the 10th Annual Excellence in Cultural Access Awards held at Grounds for Sculpture. The award celebrated the company’s Project D.R.E.A.M. (Dance Rehabilitation Education Affecting Movement)—a program designed to empower students at AHM through music, movement, imagination, and improvisation. Project D.R.E.A.M. helps students develop self-expression, artistic identity, and a sense of belonging through group collaboration.

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Thanks to ongoing support and strong community impact, the program has continued to grow and evolve—extending through 2025. The work remains deeply rooted in creativity, collaboration, and inclusion, with the program adapting to each new group of students while maintaining its mission.

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We are thrilled to share that the 2025 final student showcase will take place on June 10, 2025, highlighting the achievements of the students, the dedication of the educators, and the power of movement to inspire and transform.