ABOUT

MISSION AND HISTORY
A Chance to Dance, established in 2013, is a non-profit organization dedicated to offering free dance classes and opportunities to students of all ages with special needs. We believe that families should not bear the financial burden of classes, costumes or activities, ensuring that costs do not hinder participation in our program. Recognizing the existing expenses families face, including bills and therapies, we strive to keep A Chance to Dance as an accessible option for all. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and the generosity of our community, we are able to fulfill our mission daily. Classes are held weekly at our studio in Georgetown, Kentucky, where students learn dance fundamentals and develop social skills. Our program offers various classes throughout the week, where each student is paired with a volunteer assistant for support. Additionally, our students showcase their talents in performances, including recitals, competitions, and local events throughout the year.
FOUNDER/ EXECUTIVE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Miss Jenna is the founder and director of A Chance to Dance and has the privilege of working with our students on a weekly basis along with running the behind the scenes of the non-profit. Not only does she teach our students how to dance but also how to interact with others. Miss Jenna grew up in the dance world, dancing since the age of three, and was part of a Performing Arts Company as well as school and other dance teams. She has always had a passion for dance and helping others and was inspired to combine the two passions. She created A Chance to Dance when she was a Junior in High School. Miss Jenna started the program with only four students but now has over 30 students with others on a waitlist. While she leads the classes and teaches the students every week, the students seem to teach her something every week too. Through her program, she has learned that every student is unique and learns in a different way. This has taught her how to accommodate each student's needs’ and how to differentiate instruction for each individual student. Her program has also given her the passion to break stereotypes. She has experienced firsthand working with amazing, loving, sweet children and young adults that are oftentimes overlooked and misunderstood. Through her program she tries to create a positive environment for her volunteers to interact with the students to gain a better understanding of them. Through the various performances they do they are able to show people what the students are capable of doing. Furthermore, Jenna says that "our students have shown me that they are just like any other person and are capable of accomplishing anything regardless of their disability. Some of our students might need a little extra help or guidance but I have watched their determination and resilience help them achieve anything they set their mind to. A Chance to Dance is truly a blessing to me and working with each of the students has been the most rewarding experience!"
ASSISTANTS
NON-PROFIT BOARD





TRACEE LYON
SECRETARY
Speech Pathologist
PALMER WARD
VICE PRESIDENT
Nurse
MITCH LYON
PRESIDENT
Patent Attorney
LESLIE KENNER
TREASURER
Accountant and Owner of ProTax Georgetown
CHRISTOPHER BARBER
BOARD MEMBER
Attorney

JENNA WARD
EXECUTIVE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
3rd Grade Teacher at
Lemons Mill Elementary
Teachers

Grace Lyon
Born in Georgetown, KY, Grace is a senior at the University of Kentucky pursing a degree in Business Administration and Dance. Grace has volunteered with the ACTD program for the last 11 years and teaches on Tuesday evenings.

Jenna Ward
Jenna is from Georgetown, KY, where she currently resides with her husband, Palmer, and new baby, Weller. She teaches 3rd grade at Lemons Mill Elementary and teaches at A Chance to Dance on Monday evenings.

Niki Tipton
A native of Lexington, KY, Niki is a recent graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Biology. Niki has been dancing since she was 12, has volunteered with ACTD for a number of years, and currently teaches on Sunday evenings.
