top of page

ABOUT

IMG_1181.jpg
MISSION AND HISTORY

A Chance to Dance was founded in 2013 and is a non-profit organization that offers dance classes free of charge to students of all ages with various special needs. A Chance to Dance was founded on the platform that our student's families would not have to pay for classes or costumes because we did not want expenses to keep anyone from participating in our program. In addition to the medical bills, child care, and therapies that our families have to pay for, we did not want A Chance to Dance to be added as another expense.

Thanks to our committed volunteers, generous people, and a giving community who donate and sponsor our program, we are able to give all students "a chance to dance" free of charge. Our students participate in weekly classes, at our very own studio in Georgetown, Kentucky, where they learn the basics of dance as well as how to interact and form relationships with others.

Currently, our program has several classes that meet at various times throughout the week. We try our best to have each student paired with a class assistant who volunteers their time to help assist with our program. Over the years we have seen how beneficial it is to our students to have someone work one on one with them. In addition to our weekly classes, our students participate in various performances throughout the year. Our performances include recitals, competitions, local performances, etc. 

FOUNDER/ EXECUTIVE PROGRAM DIRECTOR
chance to dance-6.jpg

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 every Sunday and Tuesday. 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
Palmer 2.jpg
Leslie.jpg
Toph.jpg

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

lyonG_Headshot.jpg

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.

Lyon, Picture.jpg

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 ACTD.jpg

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. 

bottom of page