HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — When Dana Graziano’s physical disability almost prevented her from enjoying her passion for dance, she turned to West Coast Swing. Now she and a community of West Coast Swing(WCS) friends are coming together to ensure everyone can dance.
Graziano hosts West Coast Swing Parties every month at Joy2Dance in Hillsborough where 100 percent of funds are donated to The National Dance Institute’s Dream Project, which provides children with and without disabilities the opportunity to perform.
Over the past year, Graziano has raised more than $8,000. As a dancer with a disability, this mission is of great significance to Graziano.
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Graziano has a leg injury that left her disabled when she was 17.
“It was a real challenge,” said Graziano of Maplewood to Patch about her disability. “When I said, I want to dance, I love music so much, and I just wanted to dance. I said, there has to be something I can do slowly.”
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That’s when, in October 2017, she found West Coast Swing with the instructor, Phil LaMothe. This is a partner dance that is to the Lindy Hop with less bouncing and slower movements.
“When I did find West Coast Swing, I mean, it has helped me tremendously with strength and balance and coordination, and it very literally, and no joke, it has taught me how to use muscles to move myself,” said Graziano. “It’s just been absolutely, totally remarkable.”
West Coast Swing dancing helped Graziano so much that it inspired her to share it with others. She started hosting WCS parties in March 2023 because she wanted to begin supporting other disabled dancers, in particular children, with donations from the parties’ net proceeds.
“This is very important to me, and there are things that I can’t do. I can’t compete and I can’t do a number of things in the West Coast swing world that I would like to do because of my limitations. This helps me. This gives me a role,” said Graziano.
The parties are open to a wide range of levels. They consist of a beginner lesson hosted by LaMothe and also a social for any level to dance.
“Dancing has taught me how to live well with a disability,” said Graziano.
Over time, Graziano built a relationship with the National Dance Institute, an organization in Harlem that provides dance education to children with disabilities.
“I’m lucky to have met them. The kids are enriched with joy and spirit. They remind me of how life-giving teamwork, passion, the arts, achievement, and acceptance can be,” said Graziano.
To learn more about the Dream Project view their video: vimeo.com/903819151/ffc47b0ea4.
“The support I’ve received from WCS dancers, who I refer to as friends, has exceeded my expectations. I’d like to emphasize how grateful I am to all of them. Because dance has been so pivotal in my life, I can hardly explain how significant our donations are to me. They wouldn’t exist without these friends,” said Graziano.
Graziano’s wife Susan is also “tremendously, tremendously supportive.” She comes to every party and helps with set up, collects money at the door and greets people.
Neal and Marianne at Joy2Dance have also “been so welcoming, generous, and super supportive” of Graziano.
To learn more about WCS parties visit the Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/njwcsforbeginners or instagram.com/danagraziano.
The next WCS party will be held on Oct. 6 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Joy2Dance at 178 Route 206 in Hillsborough. For more information on the party, click here.
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