sharing the celebrate & dance heartbeat
Lori Teft — Creator of Celebrate & Dance Programs
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I love bringing Celebrate & Dance Programs to children, seniors, and everyone in between — from age 2 to 102. Through workshops, camps, and special sessions, people are invited into music, rhythm, and interaction. Movement, voice, and rhythm work together as participants begin to engage — building coordination, focus, and awareness through shared creative group experience. This is the heartbeat of Celebrate & Dance. |
Where it all began...
During a difficult season in my life many years ago, I discovered a powerful way to express my heart through movement and music. What began as something deeply personal gradually grew into experiences meant to be shared with others.
"He turned my mourning into dancing."
— Psalm 30:11
"He turned my mourning into dancing."
— Psalm 30:11
Years later, that journey led me to open a small dance studio in Lowell. The studio quickly became a joyful place of learning and connection — a very special place in the hearts of everyone involved.
I began taking my students to share and perform their dances for residents in nursing homes. Seeing how much the seniors enjoyed the experience sparked a desire in my heart to involve them more fully and discover how rhythm and creative movement could activate their ideas and spark their creativity.
As I continued facilitating sessions in senior centers, I learned how creative arts experiences could invite participation, gently melt away isolation, and brighten hearts. During that season, many new doors began opening — opportunities to share music, rhythm, and creative movement with a wide variety of groups, including children with special needs and individuals in rehabilitation programs. Each experience helped shape the Celebrate & Dance approach and deepened my understanding of how movement, music, and creativity can bring joy, connection, and expression to people of all ages and abilities.
I began taking my students to share and perform their dances for residents in nursing homes. Seeing how much the seniors enjoyed the experience sparked a desire in my heart to involve them more fully and discover how rhythm and creative movement could activate their ideas and spark their creativity.
As I continued facilitating sessions in senior centers, I learned how creative arts experiences could invite participation, gently melt away isolation, and brighten hearts. During that season, many new doors began opening — opportunities to share music, rhythm, and creative movement with a wide variety of groups, including children with special needs and individuals in rehabilitation programs. Each experience helped shape the Celebrate & Dance approach and deepened my understanding of how movement, music, and creativity can bring joy, connection, and expression to people of all ages and abilities.
Moments from the Lowell Studio years
The vision began to grow beyond the walls of the studio. Our family later moved to Grand Rapids, and I no longer had the large dance space I once used. Yet what once felt like a loss slowly began to unfold as something more — new doors opening in schools, senior centers, museums, camps, and community programs.
I will always hold those precious Lowell studio beginning years in my heart. But now I can see that what once felt like a loss slowly became an unexpected gift.
Celebrate & Dance began as a small dance studio in Lowell, grew into a dance studio beyond walls - a mobile studio, and continues to expand as new opportunities to share music, movement, and creative experiences unfold.
As this work continues to grow, simple resources and ideas are also beginning to take shape — creating new ways to share the Celebrate & Dance approach beyond in-person sessions.
I will always hold those precious Lowell studio beginning years in my heart. But now I can see that what once felt like a loss slowly became an unexpected gift.
Celebrate & Dance began as a small dance studio in Lowell, grew into a dance studio beyond walls - a mobile studio, and continues to expand as new opportunities to share music, movement, and creative experiences unfold.
As this work continues to grow, simple resources and ideas are also beginning to take shape — creating new ways to share the Celebrate & Dance approach beyond in-person sessions.
What Happens in a Celebrate & Dance Session
#1 Opening Experience
One of my favorite moments is watching the room come alive as people explore movement and rhythm.
Participants explore rhythm, movement, creative prompts, and themed props as the session unfolds.
Smiles appear as the energy grows and participants step into the heartbeat of the session.
Participants explore rhythm, movement, creative prompts, and themed props as the session unfolds.
Smiles appear as the energy grows and participants step into the heartbeat of the session.
#2 Participants Explore
Each Celebrate & Dance session blends music, movement, rhythm, and creative play in ways that invite everyone to participate.
Participants may explore:
• music from different styles and eras
• rhythm games and musical listening
• creative movement and dance
• singing and expressive play
• colorful props and interactive activities
Participants may explore:
• music from different styles and eras
• rhythm games and musical listening
• creative movement and dance
• singing and expressive play
• colorful props and interactive activities
#3 Benefits for different Groups
For young children, these experiences support listening skills, coordination, confidence, musical awareness, and social learning, while they enjoy the energy of moving together.
For older adults and senior groups, sessions encourage movement, memory, creativity, and social connection, while celebrating the music that brings people together.
A moment with little learners
I love those moments when the creative magic happens — when everything comes together and everyone in the room experiences it together. Those moments are powerful, exhilarating, and so much fun.
It happened just this week in a class of 20 preschoolers. They were all waiting for me to arrive — honestly, they treat me like a movie star!
They were excited to participate, and everyone was confidently dancing and singing.
I love encouraging the joy of singing, dancing, and making music in their beautiful hearts.
It makes me smile just thinking about it!
It happened just this week in a class of 20 preschoolers. They were all waiting for me to arrive — honestly, they treat me like a movie star!
They were excited to participate, and everyone was confidently dancing and singing.
I love encouraging the joy of singing, dancing, and making music in their beautiful hearts.
It makes me smile just thinking about it!
A moment from the dance floor
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I facilitate regular sessions with a wonderful group of seniors, and it always amazes me how the dance floor brings everyone together.
People of different backgrounds, different stories, and different levels of mobility gather around the jukebox. As the music begins, the cares of the day start to melt away, and the fun of moving and creating takes over. Participants relax and open up to the moment. |
It’s a gentle, gradual process — but by the end, hearts are lighter, bodies are moving, and everyone has had a joyful, energizing experience..
What People are saying
“Lori’s workshops are full of energy, creativity, and fun! She brings joy to students and adults alike.”
— April Butler, DNP, RN, Adjunct Faculty
“The kids were completely engaged from start to finish. We could see their confidence and joy growing with every activity.”
– Veronica Perdue, Preschool Director, St.5 Thomas the Apostle
Our Values and Philosophy
Movement is more than exercise — it creates connection, creativity, expression, learning, and joy.
Every Celebrate & Dance session
intentionally combines music, singing, rhythm instruments,
playful props, and group participation
Every Celebrate & Dance session
intentionally combines music, singing, rhythm instruments,
playful props, and group participation
“Dance like nobody’s watching. Love like you’ve never been hurt. Sing like nobody’s listening. Live like it’s heaven on earth.”
.This quote captures the spirit of every session — freedom, joy, and wholehearted engagement
sharing Celebrate & Dance with our community
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For more than a decade, Lori has shared Celebrate & Dance programs with many organizations and communities.
• preschools and early childhood programs • elementary school enrichment programs • summer camps and youth programs • family dance events — Grand Rapids Children’s Museum • senior sing-along programs — Senior Sing Along • senior living and memory care communities • hospital programs — Corewell Health Expressive Arts • special needs programs — Artists Creating Together (ACT) • intergenerational events and adaptive movement programs |
During the pandemic, Lori created an interactive Zoom game show
that brought music, laughter, and connection to participants during a challenging time.
that brought music, laughter, and connection to participants during a challenging time.
Each experience has helped shape the heart of Celebrate & Dance — creating joyful spaces where people of many ages and abilities can connect through music and movement.
The Mobile Studio Concept
Celebrate & Dance is essentially a mobile studio. Instead of one location, programs travel to where people gather — schools, camps, senior communities, churches, community centers, and special events. The idea is simple: bringing music, movement, and creativity directly to the people who will enjoy it, wherever they are.
The Heartbeat of Celebrate & Dance
Every class, workshop, and gathering is an opportunity to spark smiles, laughter, creativity, and connection.
When music begins and people start to move together, something beautiful happens
— hearts open, energy flows, and the experience comes alive.
Music • Movement • Joy • Connection
Want to bring the joy of Celebrate & Dance to your school, organization, or special event?
Let’s connect
When music begins and people start to move together, something beautiful happens
— hearts open, energy flows, and the experience comes alive.
Music • Movement • Joy • Connection
Want to bring the joy of Celebrate & Dance to your school, organization, or special event?
Let’s connect