adaptive arts
arts for all ages & abilities




about adaptive arts…
Adaptive Arts believes in helping students of ALL ABILITIES find their performance and artistic expression through traditional and adaptive means. Our special needs community is critically underrepresented in the performing arts: identifying this, Adaptive Art’s solution was to build an inclusive performing arts school in the greater South Bend area that caters to a performer’s ability.
Utilizing relationship-based education – the emphasis is placed on getting to know our students as individuals before we jump into the curriculum. Our favorite question to ask – how can I teach you if I do not know you?
We incorporate a student’s choices and then instruct using adaptive language and creative ways to help immerse and engage our students in their art form so they can be playing an instrument, painting, or dancing within minutes of their first lesson.
Adaptive Arts works with community members to create adaptive devices to help individuals play traditional instruments more comfortably, by adapting the instrument to their cognitive or physical challenge.
we help unlock the artist inside
Adaptive Arts is a place where students transform…

upcoming classes & workshops

Music: Drums Alive
Drums Alive
Develop a natural rhythm with not just drumsticks, but the whole body. Get moving and grooving while playing along to the body's natural rhythm! Learn how to play drums and that focuses on steady beats and dynamic volume control. Become a musician as every student learns to play with their peers as an ensemble performer.
Teacher: Vincenzo Carrasco
Ages: 12 to Adult
Time: 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll

Music: Group Vocal
Music: Group Vocal
Students learn to find their voice while singing along to artists like Gladys Knight and The Pips, Stevie Wonder, and with more modern singers like Beyoncé and Adele! Students will explore the voice and learn exercises to expand range, better control pitch, and improve tone. Each student will have the opportunity to sing with their peers collaboratively and as a solo artist in class.
Teacher: James Gibson
Ages: 12 to Adult
Time: Thursday 6:00pm - 6:45pm
$120 per 8 week session
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll

Group Guitar
Music: Group Guitar
Students of all abilities and skill levels learn to play along with some of the most well-known songs using traditional and adaptive methods. Build a natural sense of rhythm while strumming, explore chords and patterns, and collaborate with fellow classmates while bolstering motor skills and timing.
Teacher: James Gibson
Ages: 12 to Adult
Time: Thursday 5:00pm - 5:45pm
$120 per 8 week session
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll

Script Reading
Theater: Script Reading
Delve into scripts and how they tell a story, or in this case, a music video! Character evaluation, the ability to discern the qualities of a character, and the conveying of emotions through our nonverbal communication; these are key components of the acting skills required for telling any story. Short features, like music videos, require us to tell a story in a matter of seconds. Students will practice alongside peers as they create a feature from start to finish, learn about story-boarding, as well as work with each other on smaller, vignette-style script reading.
This is a fun introduction to scripted acting that leads up to our performance piece for the Shine On Showcase.
Teacher: Ms. Jetta Cruse
Ages: 12 to Adult
Time: Monday 5:00pm - 5:45pm
$120 per 8 week session
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll

Art with Ann
Art: Art with Ann
Students will possess a knowledge that art is whatever you make it; art can be done at any time and with the least amount of supplies. Repetitive motion helps us to relax and let that creativity flow, with the added benefit of easing stress, and calming the mind.
- Explore various art mediums including but not limited to: ink (sharpies), chalk, pastels, mixed media, watercolor, acrylic.
- All abilities welcome, from beginners to experienced artists - please note, students may require assistance following instruction and/or physical assistance with the mobility required for drawing. Family members, or staff are welcomed to join the student in this class.
Teacher: Ann Goens (In Person) Time: Thursday 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Teacher: Ann Goens (Online) Time: Thursday 4:15pm - 5:00pm
Ages: 10 to Adult
$120 per 8 week session
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll

Dance Foundations
Dance: Dance Foundations
Learn to use the whole body to keep time with the music, and explore the emotions of certain songs by studying the lyrics. Students will grow in confidence as a performer by meeting new friends, and learning choreography to today's greatest hits. Increase mobility and flexibility with warm up exercises geared towards proper stretching techniques and increased core strength. Remember, we are adaptive, so if you can’t use your feet or legs, we will use our arms or explore other ways to dance.
Teacher: Ms. Jetta Cruse
Ages: All Ages
Time: Wednesday 5:00pm - 5:45pm
$120 per 8 week session
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll

Group Piano
Music: Group Piano
Using our adaptive notation; anyone can read it and play along. Build hand strength and agility practicing scales, and grow in confidence playing along to some of the most well-known songs ever written. Study chords and melody, and begin to explore playing music.
Teacher: James Gibson
Ages: 10 to Adult
Time: Thursday 4:00pm - 4:45pm
$120 per 8 week session
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll

Group Ukulele
Music: Group Ukulele
Students of all abilities and skill levels learn to play along with some of the most well-known songs and artists using traditional and adaptive methods. Build a natural sense of rhythm while strumming, explore chords and patterns, and collaborate with fellow classmates while bolstering motor skills and timing.
Teacher: Ms. Jetta Cruse
Ages: 8 to Adult
Time: Wednesday 6:00pm - 6:45pm
$120 per 8 week session
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll

Intro to Music for the Littles
Music: Intro to Music for the Littles
This class, for children ages 4 -6, is a great introduction to music where child and adult explore music and foundational learning through fun songs and games. (Student must be accompanied by adult)
Contact Jetta at
MpaAdativeArts@gmail.com
or call 574-229-3816 for more information and to enroll
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