“The offer [to teach dance to special needs children in Durham] came when I was in New York last summer doing an internship with a magazine. I was researching a story on non-profits that were using dance as therapy for special needs children. I thought it was an opportunity for me to work with a population of children that I hadn’t previously worked with.”

Brandi Stewart (Trinity ’06)

Learning...To Make a Difference

Brandi Stewart (Trinity ’06): 2005 Lars Lyon Volunteer Service Award winner

A lifelong dancer, Brandi Stewart has been involved with the Walltown Children’s Theater in Durham since her first year at Duke. After teaching dance to children and teenagers, the theater approached Brandi the summer before her junior year to teach dance to special needs children. “The offer came when I was in New York last summer doing an internship with a magazine. I was researching a story on non-profits that were using dance as therapy for special needs children. I thought it [the opportunity to teach special needs children at the Walltown Children’s Theater] was an opportunity for me to work with a population of children that I hadn’t previously worked with.” Now teaching two different groups of special needs children, Brandi reflects, “I learned how to connect to them, calm them down and get them focused on dance. I’m not an authority figure, but I’ve learned how to talk to them and in the process show them that dance is an art form they can enjoy and respect.”

Stewart is also the student winner of the 2005 Lars Lyon Volunteer Service Award for her work with the Walltown Children’s Theater.
PHOTO: Jim Wallace