Impulse Dancers Give a Day of Dance to Special Needs Children

Alexa Beebe’s brother loved playing with his big sister’s tap shoes. Soon he’ll be able to enjoy his first tap class.

Beebe, the owner of Impulse Dance Center in Aliso Viejo, has created Impulse Angels—a dance program for special needs children. This will include children with autism, like her brother. To kick off the program, Impulse Dance will be hosting a fundraiser and educational campaign on April 29 to benefit Irvine-based Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)—a non-profit dedicated to supporting and educating families impacted by autism.

“Dance has played such an important part of my life, which makes it such an honor to be able to use that gift to give back to those that are working tirelessly to educate and cure autism, such as TACA," Beebe said.

The all-day event will include food, bounce houses, children’s activities and a special dance class schedule. The 30-minute classes will give children with various levels of abilities the chance to find the style of their choice. Classes are broken up into two sessions— one for under 10-years-old, the other for children 10 and above. (See the times and classes below.)

Throughout April, which is Autism Awareness Month, Impulse Dance Center will be providing information about autism to their instructors and the community.

The Impulse Angels program officially begins in May, providing dance opportunities for local special needs children.

“Dance serves as a wonderful creative outlet for all children and through this unique experience their confidence will continue to grow,” Beebe said. “It is our hope that Impulse Angels will give families the opportunity to see that when music and dance are combined beautiful things can happen for everyone.”

Beebe recently gained a new student with down syndrome. When her mother called to ask if they would accept her in one of the classes, Beebe said yes without a thought. Puzzled by the mother’s enthusiastic gratitude, Beebe asked, “Why wouldn’t she be accepted.” The girls mother explained they had tried eight other dance centers and with no luck.

“I want to create a home here for my students,” she said. “This will be a program where they don’t need to fit into a certain mold. They are the mold.”

For more information about Impulse Angels or to RSVP for the April fundraiser, visit the Impulse Dance Center website or email impulsedancecenter@yahoo.com.

Where/When: , 27101 Aliso Creek Road, Suite 106; April 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Why: Be part of the launch of Impulse Angels while benefiting the non-profit Talk About Curing Autism. Food, dance classes, bounces houses and children’s activities will be available.
Price: $20 donation per session or $30 for both.

Available sessions:
Session one (under age 10)

• 9 a.m. — Check in
• 10 a.m. — Ballet
• 10:30 a.m. — Jazz
• 11 a.m. —Tap
• 11:30 a.m. — Hip Hop

Session two (10 years old and above)

• 12 p.m. — Check in
• 1 p.m. — Ballet
• 1:30 p.m. — Jazz
• 2 p.m. —Tap
• 2:30 p.m. — Hip Hop

* Lunch to be served at noon

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Check out Beebe's most recent performance at the Evening with the Mayor event in Aliso Viejo.