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Dance Education &Occupational Therapy
Passionate about bringing together his experience as a pediatric occupational therapist with his expertise as a dance educator, Dr. Arnel Calvario Ripkens also launched his after-school “Dance Therapy Program for Neurodivergent Children” in April 2014 in collaboration with Culture Shock LA & the DEA.
This 8-week dance therapy program has served neurodivergent elementary school age children enrolled in mild/moderate special day class programs at Lowell Elementary school during their Spring semesters with a focus on artistic expression, development of sensory processing skills, development of motor praxis skills, and social skills development.
As a part of UniverSOUL Hip Hop, Arnel has also served young adults with Downs Syndrome who are part of Free 2 Be Me’s dance program as a guest teaching artist who provided Locking and Hip Hop dance education for their Winter 2022/2023 season. His students performed for the Music Center’s 44th Annual “Very Special Arts Festival. Dr. Calvario Ripkens will return to work with these extraordinary dancers for their 2025 Spring Season.
Spring 2025, Dr. Calvario Ripkens will be co-directing a new Culture Shock LA community dance program “Awesome Shock LA” with Andy Ho OTD, OTR/L which will serve diverse youth with disabilities.
Arnel also hopes to further expand his dance therapy practice one day into a summer dance camp program that serves youth with special needs.
CONTACT ARNEL
WORK WITH ARNEL
