What Inclusion Looks Like at Music House
By Shawn Lent, Dance Education Coordinator
"We're Glad You're Here."
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"We're Glad You're Here." 〰️
Music House Students in our 2025 production of “The Little Mermaid.”
Image Description: 5 children onstage, costumed as adorable sea turtles, smile and hold hands overhead. Behind them are other undersea characters and a beautiful set.
At Music House, inclusion is not a static goal but an ongoing journey.
Inclusion looks like Music House working to build trust with families, encouraging participation, and fostering a sense of belonging among students who might otherwise be excluded from or feel marginalized in a dance studio.
Inclusivity at Music House looks like our many ongoing community partnerships, including with Dance Peace and Heartland Human Care Services to welcome refugee/migrant students with extra support in communications, scheduling, and more.
Inclusivity at Music House looks like safe, all-gender backstage spaces. It looks like boys, GNC, nonbinary, and trans students feeling welcome, returning year after year. In our theater and dance productions, it looks like assigning roles based on capacity and interest, not gender, so every student has the opportunity to explore a wide range of characters. An inclusive Music House is where LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff can express themselves authentically and be supported.
Inclusivity at Music House looks like our dress code that embraces hijabs, long sleeve options, braided and natural hairstyles (no requirement for textured hair to be straightened for stage styles), and several choices beyond tutus.
“Your True Self is Welcome, Safe, Respected, and Celebrated Here.”
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“Your True Self is Welcome, Safe, Respected, and Celebrated Here.” 〰️
It’s Music House students seeing themselves in their teachers, as representation really matters. Inclusivity here sounds like multiple languages being spoken, sung, and played in our lessons and performances. It’s offering and uplifting Afrobeats dance classes and Lunar New Year music workshops.
Inclusivity at Music House looks like Sunday performances and gender-segregated class/recital options that allow Orthodox Jewish and conservative students to shine onstage along with their peers. It is respecting cultural practices while providing a safe space for artistic expression for all students.
It’s our many unique classes including Neurodiverse Tap/Jazz (with an instructor certified by Rhythm Works Integrative Dance) which is specifically designed for children with Autism (ASD), ADHD, and learning and developmental disabilities (LDDs), along with their peers and allies.
Inclusivity is a supportive environment where neurodiverse students can explore movement and music at their own pace in all classes. It also looks like professional development open to all Music House faculty to welcome neuro-spicy students across our many programs. Recognizing that each student is unique, faculty employ adaptive teaching methods and tools so that every student can participate fully in our programs.
Inclusivity at Music House is providing accommodations for students across the neurodiverse spectrum at our arts camps (CPS Days Off, Spring Break, Winter Break, and Summer) so all campers can enjoy their days-off from school filled with music, dance, and art.
"We Are Better Because You’re Here."
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"We Are Better Because You’re Here." 〰️
It is Music House creating an original version of The Nutcracker that replaces the second act’s ethno-stereotypes (Chinese, Arab, Russian, Spanish, et) with fun sweets-themed characters that the dancers love.
Inclusivity at Music House looks like teachers facilitating open discussion with students about how pre-written content feels in an ever changing world so that everyone gets a voice in the stories we tell and how we tell them.
Inclusivity at Music House looks like teen students supporting younger students who are observing Ramadan and fasting during the spring recitals.
Inclusivity at Music House looks like financial aid and flexible, prorated tuition.
It’s faculty not pigeon-holing or stereotyping students according to their size. It looks like a curricular focus on mental wellness and body positivity.
Inclusivity at Music House looks like our intentional efforts to welcome and support students from public, private, and homeschool settings.
Inclusivity at Music House sounds like faculty and staff pronouncing their students’ names correctly, using correct pronouns, creating inclusive lesson plans, and addressing any instances of discrimination promptly.
At Music House, inclusion is not just a trendy principle; it's foundational to our approach. Inclusion is a commitment that goes beyond making special accommodations for some students. It means creating an environment where all students—regardless of background, religion, culture, identity, or abilities—feel valued and empowered to express themselves, explore their creativity, and develop their talents.
Music House Students in our 2025 original production of “The Nutcracker and the Magic Carousel.” Image Description: 7 children onstage, costumed in velvet dresses and suits, smile and dance. Behind them is a beautiful set with a carnival tent and carousel horses.
