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

using music & arts to transform lives

Here are some words from our students, parents and supporters

jerzee

I have yet to see a child that doesn’t respond to her way of communicating with them. They all love and want her attention and love in return.

Jerzee's Mom (Cindy Sikora)

luke

This is a phenomenal class! Jetta is amazing. Her love of music and love of her students is touching.

Luke's Mom (Diane Resnik)

jacob

This is nothing short of top shelf, as my son is making progress in Jetta’s class. Thank you so much for your time and hard work.

Jacob's Dad (Brian Hazen)

sara

Jetta is an amazing teacher. Her love for both her students and music shines though when she is teaching!

Sara's Mom (Peggy Sturtevant)

katie

I must admit, I wasn’t sure Katie would be able to play a real song or that she would stick with it. Never underestimate Jetta’s teaching skills, enthusiasm, and love for her students (or Katie’s determination) is the lesson for me.

Katie's Dad (Thomas Henry)

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