Sharing the joy and benefits of dance with people of all abilities
ConfiDANCE is a program offered through
Vibe-The Place to Dance.
“Movement is amazing for every child but especially those with special needs. My son Cam started dancing with Sarah over 10 years ago. Cam is now almost 15 and is autistic.Sarah understands every child that comes into the studio and graciously directs and meets each child where he or she is, at all times.When I think about Sarah’s classes, what first comes to mind is joy…joy on the kiddos faces, Sarah’s face and the parents’ faces when they see their kids get to move and dance in a safe space and get to be exactly who they are.”
Sarah has created an incredible and inclusive program that adapts to dancers — not the other way around. My son loves to dance and his disability is not a barrier to entry in her classes.
Working with Sarah has helped him build strength and confidence, and she and the other instructors celebrate his successes and continue to encourage him to grow as a dancer and a person.
Jenny S
Dance Parent
Sara Villarreal is an occupational therapist with nearly 20 years of pediatric experience in a variety of settings. She obtained both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and received her OT Doctorate degree from the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
As a licensed occupational therapist, Sara has worked in a variety of settings providing interdisciplinary therapy services which include family-centered early intervention, school-based services, community transitions, and hospital-based settings. Sara’s diverse occupational therapy background extends to US Air Force families and children stationed in Spangdahlem, Germany when she lived overseas for 11 years.
She has specialized training in areas of motor coordination, sensory regulation, social engagement, and assistive technology to facilitate purposeful interactions and functional communication during routines and activities. In 2011, Sara started her journey with internationally known yoga teacher Sonia Sumar to become a practitioner
for Yoga for the Special Child (YSC). Sara completed her YSC training in Switzerland and England and now provides one-on-one yoga sessions with children with diverse abilities (i.e., down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, prematurity, and developmental disabilities) in their local community and/or homes to bridge physical and emotional well-being.
She is currently in training to obtain her RYT 200 with Amy Pearse-Hayden at RajaHatha Yoga School in Madison, WI.
Katrina started dancing at the age of 10 and has been dancing for over 10 years. She is trained in hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and ballet; has taught and assisted in the styles of hip hop, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary, and adaptive; and competed nationwide in contemporary, jazz, and hip hop for five years. She received her training from the VIBE faculty!
Her extensive volunteer work along with studies pertaining to child development, psychology, as well as her work with children with developmental differences, makes her an asset to the culture of VIBE as both an instructor and office support team member. A fully inclusive environment where dancers and families are made to feel welcome, safe, and treated with kindness and respect, is a priority for Katrina. She wants everyone to feel at home when at the studio!
Katrina lives in the Verona area and is finishing up her undergraduate degree in Education with an emphasis in Child Life from Edgewood College. She is beginning graduate school this fall with the goal of becoming a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Born in Sheffield, UK, Sarah Jacobson has a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts, with an emphasis on dance in special education, and is a certified Rhythm Works Integrative Dance Instructor. She has over 25 years of experience in dance education, having worked for various dance studios throughout the UK, Germany and the US.
Sarah is passionate about dance education for all and believes that lessons should be accessible to everyone.
She has been teaching and sharing the benefits of dance with individuals with diverse abilities, for many years. Her own personal journey with her son, who has autism, has fueled her passion to continue this work, even more.
