OUR MISSION
Provide an expressive outlet for children with disabilities.
Foster mentorship and a sense of community among students and volunteers.
Eliminate the stigma and reduce the challenges associated with disability on the UCLA campus and beyond.
Who are We?
The Expressive Movement Initiative (EMI) aims to introduce the art of creative movement and therapeutic dance to children with disabilities. The first branch of EMI opened at the University of Oklahoma in 2013, and was extended to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) through the support of the UCLA Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART) on October 2nd, 2019.
Volunteer dance teachers are paired one-on-one with an EMI student, modifying movements to accommodate each student at weekly dance classes. Recitals at the end of each session provide an exciting opportunity for students to perform for their family and friends!
Starting April, we will offer an in-person class on Monday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. In addition, we will offer two virtual classes on Wednesday from 5:00pm to 6:00 pm PST and Fridays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm PST.
Get Involved
register Your dancer today!
Our next season is starting on April 1st! In the meantime, if your child is a returning dancer, please fill out the Registration Form and we will contact you further about re-registration!
Volunteer opportunities
Love kids? Love dance? Love teaching kids to dance? Make a difference in the lives of kids with developmental disabilities by joining EMI@UCLA, working in the classroom as a volunteer teacher or behind the scenes as a crew member!
Check This Out!
EMI in the Oklahoman
EMI is featured in The Oklahoman article “Dance classes give children in Norman chance to rise above disabilities.”
EMI on Fox News
Watch EMI on this Fox News OKC TV segment, “Tell Me Something Good,” featuring how volunteers from OU teach Kids To Express Themselves
Emi’s first time on stage
Get an inside look at EMI’s 2014 recital, where students from the JD McCarty Center for Children with Disabilities dance with volunteer teachers from the University of Oklahoma.
Check out EMI UCLA’s Daily Bruin Feature here: https://dailybruin.com/2020/10/20/dance-club-seeks-to-provide-inclusive-accessible-space-for-kids-with-disabilities !!
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