A Special Dance Experience for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities at Altadena and Willowbrook Senior Centers

In a unique collaboration between The Music Center and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AILEY), members of the Altadena Senior Center (ASC) and Willowbrook Senior Center (WSC) were invited to participate in a dance workshop designed to provide an opportunity for expression, movement, and community.

The workshops, led by Ailey Teaching Artists, were held while AILEY is back in Los Angeles for six performances in April (April 2-6) offering older adults and adults with disabilities a chance to experience the movement and artistry of one of the world’s leading dance companies.

The initiative reflects The Music Center’s commitment to engaging diverse communities, who may not always have access to arts programming. These workshops were particularly meaningful for members of the Altadena Senior Center, which was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Both The Music Center and the county sought to offer something special to ASC members, giving them an opportunity to reconnect with their community and explore new forms of expression. The two workshops took place on March 11, 2025, at the Pasadena Senior Center (which graciously hosted ASC members), and on March 13, 2025, at Willowbrook Senior Center, providing participants with a unique and enriching experience.

Nasha Thomas, National Director of AileyCamp and Spokesperson for Ailey Arts in Education, shared the broader mission of the initiative: “It’s about supporting each other. And as a people, it’s something that Alvin Ailey was interested in—people being good citizens, and that’s what good citizens do. We support and help our fellow men. We’re all in the same boat, and being here gives us a chance to get out of our situation, get out of our home, and come here and have some light.”

For many of the participants, these workshops provided an opportunity to connect not only with their peers but also with their own sense of joy and creativity. Diana Lee, an ASC member who participated in the Pasadena workshop with friends, expressed the importance of such programs: “I wish more Altadena seniors would understand that we need this. This is not a luxury; it is a necessity to feel part of the community.”

The workshops, designed to be accessible for older adults and adults with disabilities, focused on creating a space for creative expression through movement. Ailey Teaching Artists led participants in learning choreography, encouraging them to explore dance in a way that was comfortable, empowering, and deeply connected to the artistry of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The sessions were designed to offer an inclusive, non-judgmental environment where participants could feel supported and encouraged to engage in the experience.

The outreach efforts of The Music Center and Alvin Ailey extend beyond the workshops for older adults and adults with disabilities. As part of the ongoing partnership, The Music Center and Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs also worked with four Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) middle schools. The schools explored the choreography of Revelations, the company’s iconic work;  students will have the opportunity to experience it live during a special performance for students at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Through such programs, the partners continue to work toward a more inclusive cultural environment where people of all ages and abilities can connect with the arts in meaningful ways.

Photos: Pasadena

Photos: Willowbrook