The Variety St. Louis Chorus, Dance, and Adaptive Dance Programs provide a chance for local kids and teens ages 9-20 of all abilities to sing, dance, and perform on stage for audiences around the St. Louis area, all while making new friends, building confidence, and learning new skills.
All programs offer a chance to deepen musical knowledge and create steppingstones for kids to advance in the performing arts. There will be a performance from both chorus and dance groups at the end of each semester. All skill levels and beginners are welcome! Please note that all kids must have the ability to listen and follow directions in order to meet the basic program requirements and ensure a meaningful and safe experience for everyone.
***Registration for Chorus, Dance, and Adaptive Dance will open in August 2025***
Chorus
Variety Chorus gives kids and teens of various abilities the chance to learn basic music theory, choral techniques, and musical performance skills, all while adapting to their specific needs. This group meets weekly on Monday nights from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. at Whitfield School throughout the school year and is led by Greg Heaney, an experienced area music director.
Adaptive Dance
Adaptive Dance offers kids and teens who use mobility equipment like walkers or wheelchairs the opportunity to explore dance techniques and musical performance in a supportive, fun, and inclusive environment. Classes are tailored to meet each participant’s unique needs, ensuring everyone can shine. This group meets weekly on Monday evenings from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m. at Whitfield School during the school year, in partnership with Vitality in Motion.
Spring Concert
Variety St. Louis’ Children’s Chorus and Dance groups lit up the stage with a lively and uplifting spring concert on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Chesterfield YMCA. The evening was filled with music, movement, and fun as these talented young performers showcased their skills and shared the joy of spring with family and friends.
Meet the Directors
Greg Heaney, Chorus Director
Greg Heaney is a musician, music instructor, producer, and advocate for the arts throughout St. Louis. Currently working as the Programs Director for The Music Exploratorium, a fully inclusive music studio in Webster Groves funded by Different Dynamics, Greg serves diverse learners! He also has a unique music instruction business where he teaches music in non-traditional ways that are tailored to individual students’ needs.
Greg worked as a music teacher at Southview School for twelve years, where he taught students ages 5-21 with varying abilities. Greg developed and implemented adaptive strategies to teaching music, and worked closely with paraprofessionals, speech pathologists, physical therapists, music therapists, and social workers in order to best serve the musical needs of his students.
Greg began his career in special education as an ABA para, working with students with Autism and individuals with severe behavioral needs, and served on the school crisis team for over a decade and is also a certified mental health first responder. He holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Industry Studies from Loyola New Orleans and worked for Artists House Music, funded by The Herb Alpert Foundation. He leads his own band, hosts The Greg Heaney Music Podcast Show, and is dedicated to helping people realize their musical potential and be celebrated for their talents.
Dawn Gilbertson, Dance Director
Dawn is a dance instructor, choreographer, and performer, with a background primarily in classical dance. She studied at Monona Academy of Dance in Wisconsin, Boston Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet and Point Park College.
Dawn has degrees in Finance, French, and Dance from the University of Iowa. She’s been an instructor at COCA and has performed at The Muny for Bye Bye Birdie (2011) and King and I (2012) as well as their 100th anniversary Gala (2018). Dawn is a founding member and dancer with The Big Muddy Dance Company, performing in multiple main stage concerts as well as New Dance Horizons, Spring to Dance, St. Louis Dance Festival, Drea’s Dream, and others. She is currently the Director of the Dance program at Variety St. Louis and has taught, choreographed and performed with Variety Theatre since 2013. She has 3 kids and a husband of 20 years.