“Dance releases a joy that comes from loving life and being able to let your whole body surrender to that joy.”
Dance for Ezra is not about the performance but about the intrinsic love of moving to the music. That, in itself, is pure joy.
Full circle moments in life bring me so much happiness! Through social media, I have stayed connected with so many friends from my past, including Betsy, who I worked with ages ago. Her beautiful family includes a sweet boy named Ezra. He is a young tap and jazz dancer with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. Ezra takes tap and jazz classes at The Mundelein School Of Dance, along with his younger sister. They have been dancing for the last 4 years together.
We met in the parking lot, and as the van door pulled open, a sweet bundle of energy and happiness jumped out with his sequined costume shirt and phone in hand playing his favorite tunes. That day, Ezra was jamming to One Direction and singing along as he went. He walked into the studio space like he owned the place and got down to business. I asked him to show me his favorite dance moves so I could take his picture. I let him lead the way and he put on quite a performance for me, which was so fun to be a part of.
Before meeting Ezra, I didn’t know much about his syndrome, but his mom Betsy was happy to share with me. She explained, “As a part of his syndrome, Ezra was born with low muscle tone and global developmental delays. He did not learn to walk until almost 3 years old and didn’t talk until closer to 4. He is hesitant to stand on one foot and is cautious when having to move around fast. But he’s always loved patterns and music and rhtyhm. Dance and music motivates him to balance, jump and move in a way nothing else has. He wasn’t sure about those tap shoes the first time he put them on, but that sensory input of the sound delighted him. Ezra’s syndrome also comes with a sleep disorder, compulsive behavior and attention problems. This can be challenging in a class environment, but his amazing teacher gives him the space he needs and challenges him in a way that brings out his best. I’ve seen him try things I never could’ve anticipated without dance. I’ve seen him learn and memorize whole routines I never wouldn’ve thought he could do. He still has to push past barriers with his fears and developmental disparities with his peers, but add music and movement and he’s willing to give it a try.”
Betsy also shared, “Smith-Magenis Syndrome is a very rare and complex disorder that not a lot is known about. It is a daunting diagnosis, but it does not capture all of who Ezra is. Things that come easy to other kids take a lot of effort for him, but watching him push through and achieve through the barriers is all the more sweet. The truth is that though he has limits, we can never count him out! Dance has been a joyful way to reinforce that where his limits are is different that we couldn’t have predicted. For Ezra, dance is an outlet like no other. Not only is it a chance to exercise, but the routine of dance practice and learning steps has been helpful beyond quantifying! Ezra loves music and is motivated by people, so dance is an amazing opportunity to challenge him while exploring what he loves.”
Ezra’s massive love for movement and music is prevalent from the moment you meet him. He was a joy to be around, dance with, and to photograph. He is proof like no other that Dance Knows No Boundaries and if you like to dance and move, then do it.
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