Tucked away in a barren lot off of Union Road in Cheektowaga is Moving Miracles, a dance studio where, like other studios, adults and children go to have fun, learn to dance and express themselves freely.
What sets this studio apart is these dance students had never been able to express themselves before.
Moving Miracles uses dance and movement to help students with mental, emotional and physical disabilities overcome their limitations to express themselves, a process the studio says helps them in all aspects of their lives.
"There is something majestic about the power of dance, it allows for people to express themselves without using words," said Sheila Dollas, founder and president of Moving Miracles.
Dollas' dance career was curtailed after sustaining injury to her back in a college dance class many years ago. She has always enjoyed working with people with disabilities so she designed a program to bring both worlds together.
Moving Miracles began as a small one-classroom studio with four students, which has grown to 400 students enrolled.
Along with higher numbers in enrollment, the organization has moved from their one studio classroom into a more accommodating space and the newer, larger studio has three classrooms, which are lined with photographs of students, thank you letters from parents and all types of artistic renderings.
Because Moving Miracles is a small organization, they have a small, full-time staff. But the organization's success depends on over 40 student volunteers each semester.
For some student volunteers, working with Moving Miracles has been both educational and challenging.
"Learning how to interact with the disabled, and putting myself in their shoes has been the biggest challenge," said Lindsey Schmidt, a senior health and human services major who volunteers at Moving Miracles.
Not to be confused with dance therapy or rehabilitation, Moving Miracles offers dance classes like any other dance school in Buffalo.
Dollas said that many times, parents and students credit taking dance classes for improving their daily quality of life.
"Parents always tell me that their children love to dance, that they are moving better and that dance is therapeutic for them," said Dollas.
The dance classes are separated by age and ability to ensure that every student can get the most out of their class. Classes include stretching, listening to music and perfecting various dance techniques.
Moving Miracles is a not-for-profit organization and their existence depends solely on grants and donations, which aren't so easy to come by.
"Tuition only covers 33 percent of our budget, but we've gotten some good grants over the years. Some years are better than others, but we always seem to get by," said Erin Uhlman, the program director at Moving Miracles.
Displayed in the front of the studio are framed plaques of large donations Moving Miracles has been gifted with over the years. Uhlman has a story for each one.
Uhlman began as an intern and has been with the organization for seven years now. Uhlman's time with Moving Miracles as an intern was her motivation to stay. She said that working with the students has been a life-altering experience.
"Working here has changed my life. I get daily reminders to look at the small things in life. Yesterday, an autistic boy who doesn't normally speak completed a full sentence. It was a great feeling," said Uhlman.
As with any dance studio, there are lots of events and performances that the students participate in.
Dollas said that the performance at the end of the year is a chance to see the growth of the students as well as a chance for them to experience a live crowd.
"Watching them grow is such a reward and seeing them on stage working hard is a proud moment in the spotlight that they don't often receive," said Dollas.
The performance at the end of the year is not only a great moment for the students but it also has a deep affect on audience members.
"Last year the performance was called 'Here and Now.' It brought grown men in the audience to tears. It's just that beautiful to watch," said Dollas.
This year the annual performance will be held at the UB Drama Theatre on May 6 and 7 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
