‘When I’m on stage, it’s where I belong’: Limitless Dance Company caters to special needs

The first time dance student Elyse competed for Limitless Dance Company, it was emotional, said Torrie Trella-Ward.

“[After her dance routine] she came towards me, and she just gave me the biggest hug and started crying,” she said. “I was like, ‘Are you OK?’ thinking she was traumatized, right? She just said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so happy. That was so much fun. I love this.’ So it was really rewarding.”

Limitless Dance Company, 5922 Market St., Boardman, is a nonprofit, subsidiary dance studio of Torrie’s Academy of Dance, 5918 Market St., Youngstown, that provides 45-minute and 30-minute dance classes and competition opportunities for children and adults with special needs and disabilities.

Limitless offers hip-hop, ballet, tap, jazz and “Drums Alive” classes, in which students tap on exercise balls with drumsticks to a specific beat. The activity acts as a cardiovascular exercise and enhances rhythm, strengthening coordination and brain activity.

Trella-Ward, owner of the studios, began her dance career as a child in Warren and graduated from New York University Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in dance performance. Upon graduation, Trella-Ward danced for Disney Cruise Line. After her professional dance career, she opened Torrie’s Academy of Dance in 2005.

Five years ago, Trella-Ward was approached by an old friend who inquired about dance classes for special needs children. From there, Limitless Dance Company was born.

Trella-Ward said that Limitless Dance Company, unlike most dance studios, offers classes for both children and adults. Most of the studio’s students are male, she told Mahoning Matters.

According to Trella-Ward, the dance season is primarily September through June with primarily the same students on a weekly basis — although new students can join at any time.

Limitless Dance Company also has a competition team, currently fewer than five students, that travels with Torrie’s Academy of Dance to different competitions. The Limitless team attends the national competition as well.

“We are always looking for funding for that to help [the students] with their fees and their costumes and their shoes and everything,” Trella-Ward said.

Limitless Dance Company students also perform at the academy’s yearly recital.

Limitless Dance Company in January welcomed new instructor McKenzie Sella.

Sella graduated from Youngstown State University with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in dance management. Additionally, Sella will work alongside Limitless Dance Company’s board of directors to foster community partnerships.

Trella-Ward told Mahoning Matters that Limitless Dance Company is rewarding, especially when she is able to witness the positive impact the classes have had on students.

“I love being here and I love being with all my family here, with all of my friends,” Limitless student Elyse said in a testimonial video submitted to Mahoning Matters.

“I really love dancing because dancing is my passion. … I love competing on stage because when I’m on stage, it’s where I belong,” she added. “I feel proud of myself.”

Limitless Dance Company relies on donations and grants to pay for costumes, equipment and teachers. Currently The Hine Memorial Fund, Fred Astaire Dance Studios and the Graziani family are the studio’s biggest monetary supporters.

Trella-Ward told Mahoning Matters that the studio is working toward building its own website to streamline donations, but until then, community members can give to the academy by clicking the “Donate” button halfway down its website homepage.