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Segerstrom Center’s Studio D: Arts School for All Abilities proudly marks
its seventh year of providing an inclusive space for students of all abilities to engage in high
quality dance, music, and theater instruction. Studio D offers classes for children and adults with disabilities as well as those who are non-disabled, promoting confidence, imagination, and overall well-being.
Since its inception, Studio D has grown into an artistic haven, embodying its
mission of encouraging self-expression and creative exploration, while celebrating the interests of each student.
We are inviting families to learn more about Studio D: Arts School for All Abilities at an open
house on Saturday, January 13, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. This event offers an excellent
opportunity for new and interested families to tour the studio, learn about the program offerings, meet the staff, and register for Spring 2024 sessions.
Those interested in attending can RSVP
by emailing community@scfta.org.
“Studio D was founded on the belief that the arts are for everyone,” says Chloe Saalsaa,
Manager of Studio D. “Our journey over the past seven years has been a testament to the
transformative power of the arts and the incredible potential within everyone. Studio D has
become a thriving community and we look forward to continuing to provide a space where our students can express themselves and build lasting connections.”
Studio D, originally named the School of Dance and Music for Children with Disabilities, first
opened its doors in February of 2017, welcoming kids ages 4-13 with a six-week curriculum
centered on recreational movement and music. Due to high community demand, the next three years saw Studio D’s expansion to include classes for ages 14-17 and 18-22 and extended its session duration to 15 weeks.
In the Summer of 2019, Studio D introduced musical theater
classes which included a mentorship with students at Orange County School of the Arts and a
culminating performance for friends and family.
In July of 2019, Studio D announced a number of off-site partnerships, including Easter Seals
OC, Unlimited Possibilities, CHOC, Santa Ana Unified School District, and many more, allowing
the Center to bring dance and music classes directly to the communities served by these
incredible organizations.
Unlimited Possibilities (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County) named the Center its 2019 Impact Award Recipient in recognition of the power of this program. In July 2019, the school was named the “Best Special Needs Camp/Activity” by Parenting OC magazine.
During the 2020-2021 school year, Studio D quickly pivoted to an online platform in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Studio D faculty created original on-demand video lessons covering dance, music, and musical theater. The additional live Zoom classes enabled previous students to interact with their teachers from home, and also attracted students from other states and counties who traditionally would not have been able to participate. In-person classes resumed in summer of 2021.
Studio D has expanded class offerings to all adults, previously only available until age 22. The
program now offers a wide range of artistic styles, including dance and music, musical theater
and theater, as well as a ballet curriculum under development. Dance and music classes are
offered for all age groups and promote creative choice making and mind-body connectivity.
Musical theater classes are catered to ages 8+ and explore singing, dancing and acting with a
focus on Broadway-style choreography and techniques. Theater courses are for ages 18+ and are supported by a Speech Language Pathologist, with the opportunity to learn various facets of the theater world.
Classes are held in the Center’s dance studios and are led by a three-person team, with two
artistic teachers conducting the lessons and a therapist providing specialized support to
students. The faculty is committed to adapting lessons to engage every student in the room,
recognizing that everyone may participate and engage differently.
Avid supporter of the Center and Director of Orange County Arts & Disability Marlena Barber
shares, “while specialized instruction is important for students with disabilities, inclusive arts
programming facilitates modes of communication and self-advocacy. Inclusive settings also
foster empathy, confidence and a sense of belonging among typical peers. Orange County Arts & Disability applauds Segerstrom Center’s Studio D for their efforts to provide high quality arts programming for artists of all abilities.”
Studio D aspires to further diversify its curriculum, providing students with an even broader
range of artistic experiences. This vision includes expanding offsite programs through more
collaboration with community partners and to increase broader access to the program by
creating a digital Studio D library.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is an innovative, nonprofit arts organization committed to supporting artistic excellence, creating impactful educational programs, and dedicated to engaging a culturally connected, inclusive and vital Orange County community for all, through the power of live performance.
As the leading cultural arts hub, the Center presents a variety of programming with performances by international dance companies, Broadway national tours, jazz and cabaret musicians, chamber orchestras and ensembles, comedy, and speaker series. Through the Education and Community Engagement departments, the Center also delivers family-friendly programming and performances on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza; these events include outdoor movie screenings, concerts, dance classes, diverse festivals and more.
With six venues on a beautiful multi-disciplinary campus, Segerstrom Center for the Arts proudly serves as the artistic home to three of the region’s major performing arts organizations: Pacific Symphony, Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Pacific Chorale as well as two independently acclaimed organizations: Tony Award®-winning South Coast Repertory and a site opening this fall as the home of the Orange County Museum of Art. Segerstrom Center is also home to the American Ballet Theatre
William J. Gillespie School and Studio D: Arts School for All Abilities.
Information provided is accurate at the time of printing but is subject to change. Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a public, non-profit organization. “Segerstrom Center for the Arts” is a registered trademark.
