Everyone Can Dance, Anywhere! Accessibility and Expression Online

To me life is a dance; as long as our hearts are beating, a rhythm is being created. Sometimes it’s the littlest movements that make the biggest difference in a performance, just like in life; it’s the little things that matter.  –Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli

Luca Pautelli’s dynamic, interactive online dance workshop was a hit, connecting with participants of all ages.  Luca teaches dance in a way that encourages exploration of authentic movements that are adapted to one’s personal self.   His intention is to “open up my teaching to all different styles, all different types of music, and most importantly, all different types of bodies. I believe that everyone can dance.”   He wants everyone “to get inspired and just to move freely in whichever way they want.”

In Luca’s view, the greatest advantage of online teaching – in addition to playing with interactive techniques – is that it is more accessible. There are “potentials for zoom as means to help people feel more at ease.”  Indeed, one young woman with mobility issues “loved it on zoom”.  Her caregiver said, “she likes the fact she can stay home and enjoy it, it’s also very relaxing for her.”

A young elementary school student enthused about the benefits of an online dance class. “I think it was very fun since it was like my first dance class. I learned different dance moves and how to melt!”  Not only that, but “you don’t need to bump into somebody else when you’re melting and doing other stuff.” 

The motto of Luca Patuelli’s virtual dance workshop “Adapt, stay positive, and learn to do things your own way,” reflects his own life philosophy.  Luca Patuelli was introduced to breakdancing at 15 and was immediately drawn by its music, culture and challenging movements.  “My whole life I was told I would never be able to walk, let alone dance. Today, I live my life to dance, I live to share my passion with others, and I live to encourage limitless possibilities by doing things our own way through the belief of NO EXCUSES, NO LIMITS.”