Sensory Friendly & Adaptive Programs
Dance is for everybody
San Francisco Ballet is committed to making dance accessible to everyone. Our Sensory Friendly and Adaptive Programs are designed for community members of all ages and abilities to engage with the art form of dance.
Dance Classes for People with Parkinson's
Movement is medicine. Inspired by classical ballet technique and the SF Ballet repertory season, San Francisco Ballet School offers free weekly dance classes for people with Parkinson’s and other movement disabilities, along with their family members, caregivers, and friends. These inclusive classes feature live piano accompaniment, and are offered in the ballet studio, on Zoom, and in the community to serve individuals across the Bay Area.
SENSORY FRIENDLY NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCES
San Francisco Ballet’s Sensory Friendly Performance provides a relaxed and inclusive environment where neurodiverse audiences of all ages and abilities can experience the magic of Nutcracker. In collaboration with our partners from Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area, SF Ballet has made adaptations to the performance and theater-going experience that respond to the needs of audience members with autism, sensory input disorders, sensory sensitivities, and other physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. This performance is also a wonderful experience for first-time ballet goers or anyone who wants a relaxed audience experience at the ballet.
SENSORY FRIENDLY DANCE-ALONGS
Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs are relaxed and inclusive dance workshops designed for participants with autism, sensory input disorders, sensory sensitivities, and other physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities. Created in partnership with Autism Society, College of Adaptive Arts, and Autism Fun Bay Area, Sensory Friendly Dance-Alongs invite participants of all abilities – along with their families and care teams – to engage with ballet in a way that feels accessible and inspiring. Each 60-minute Dance-Along includes a guided movement class inspired by everyone’s favorite ballet repertoire, live musical accompaniment, and hands on activities.
Gentle Ballet for Adults
San Francisco Ballet School’s Gentle Ballet Series for adults is designed for lifelong learners who are older, recovering from an injury, or have limited mobility. Gentle Ballet Classes offer the benefits of a classical ballet technique class with gentle modifications to honor well-lived backs, hips, knees, and ankles. Classes are held on Zoom to allow participants to modify the class to their individual ability levels.