Joining a dance group in the middle east culture is not an easy thing but the way Open Arms dances and communicates so unique with meaningful stories from our lives - that made me do it and this is our 6th season. With Open Arms I forget myself and dance.

I am 51 years old and being a part of the Open Arms Dance Project group is the best thing to us.

My name is Huda, I am from Iraq, I am 25 years old, I came to America when I was 16 years old in 2015. The best year of my life was 2016. I love fashion, laughter, listening to music and songs, and photography. I know how to put on make-up. This is my first session with Open Arms.

Piper is 9 years old and this is her second year with Open Arms. When she is not dancing, Piper loves to try new things and is currently learning to swim, ski, and play softball. She enjoys spending time with people she loves (which is everybody!) and has the gift of emanating happiness and joy. Piper is grateful to be part of a group that helps spread such a positive message like Open Arms.

Loey is 12 years old and has been with Open Arms for seven years. She loves being in Open Arm and spending time with the friends she makes in the company. Loey likes to spend her time reading, in the outdoors, mountain biking, and, of corse, dancing.

I am 28 years old and a Boise Native. I have danced with Open Arms since 2008. I enjoy spending time with my family and am passionate about helping others. I used to work at a daycare called Urban Green Kids.

Jean is a Boise based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been performing with various local acts and as a solo artist since 2000. Currently, she is performing as a solo act, accompanying Open Arms Dance Project in their 2022/2023 season, in a female trio called The Grandjeans, as a vocalist/mandolinist in Jan Reed & The In Between and as a member of one of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s house bands called The Renaissance Players.

After retiring from 33 years of teaching Elementary school I was searching for community connection and a creative outlet. Three months ago, my wonderful friend Shirley encouraged me to join Open Arms Dance Project, who greeted me with literal open arms! With them I’ve found family, joy, and inclusion - for which I’m profoundly grateful.

For the last 40 of my 81 years, dancing in modern and improv styles with three different dance companies has moved my spirit, giving me ways to express joy, solidarity, community, love, compassion, and beauty. Joining Open Arms Dance Project last fall I found a welcoming and caring family of dancers who embody one of my deepest values by honoring the worth and dignity of every person in the process of co-creating dances and supporting each other. By performing throughout the wider Boise community we show how radical acceptance, encouragement, creativity and compassion can build a better world. What a joy for a retired lawyer!

I am an Open Arms Ambassador. I was born 6-8 weeks early in Houston on the way to my mother’s 20th high school reunion. I’ve lived in Kuna, ID and now in Boise. I like to travel - my Dad pulled me in a bicycle trailer across Iowa. I also have been on a safari in Africa, rode an elephant in Thailand, and visited relatives in Los Angeles, New York, and Virginia. I had hippo therapy when I was younger and rode horses, and we just gave away our goats. I like bowling, skiing, and playing baseball.

Sarah, 47, is dancing in her 4th season as an Open Arms Dancer. Sarah is mom to three boys who are the light of life (including Truman, also an OADP Dancer). She is the program coordinator at Idaho Parents Unlimited and has spent the last 35 years dancing, cheering, coaching in Idaho as a former Boise State Cheerleader (1995-1998), former gymnastics and cheerleading coach at a gym in Boise for 15 years, and Head Cheer Coach at Capital High School (2013-2020) which was a fully inclusive program. Sarah's heart is happiest when she is dancing and spending time with her boys, her two Boston Terriers, her friends and family, and traveling.

I was thrilled to join Open Arms in 2011 and have loved being part of such a welcoming, creative dance community. I first joined community dance groups in Miami, FL in the early 1970’s, then became Director of the senior citizens program with the [Liz Lerman] Dance Exchange in Washington, D.C. Now, I’m a “senior citizen!” I believe deeply in the worth and dignity of every person, which we embody in our work as dancers in OADP. What joy!

I’ve always loved to dance. I joined Open Arms on a whim in 2019 not knowing what my tribe of fellow dancers would give me. So much freedom, spirit, and love!

I joined Open Arms Dance Project when I was 54 in the Fall of 2023 as part of The Monarch Butterfly Dance, in memory of friend and dancer Gail Hawkins. I love learning the culture of Open Arms Dance Project. Everyone in the company is welcoming and skillful in communication; I feel that I belong. I started dance training when I was 9-years-old in Boise and studied with Lloyd Carlton, Barbara Wescott and Heidi Bunting. I studied and performed in my late teens, 20’s and 30’s at Wesleyan University and in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York in independent dance projects (Kim Sargent, Peggy Florin, Alissa Cardone; in dance companies (Paula Josa-Jones/Performance Works, Defacto Dance); I co-founded Kinodance Company and Harriett Jastremsky Dances. In all the projects, the movement was dancer-generated, usually in collaboration with a composer, and were supported by Arts Grants. I returned to Boise as a Mom of my 14-month-old—my kid is grown-up now! In Boise, Megan Brandel taught my kid dance and I got to continue performing and making dances in Helene Peterson’s Drop Dance performance series and Leah Stevens Clark’s Balance Dance Company. I also was part of my parents’ care team in their elder years. I grew up in a bi-cultural/bi-lingual/ household with disabilities and my first language is American Sign Language because my parents were Deaf. I teach Pilates Exercise at Thrive Pilates where I combine problem-solving with each client on the maintenance of their bodies with fun movement experiences. Last summer for fun I co-made site-specific dances with Sadi Mosko called Postcards from Boise. I love riding my bike because it feels like flying.

I joined OADP in 2022. I really enjoy being a part of our welcoming, multi-age and inclusive community of dancers. For me, OADP is a place of joy, creativity and friendship. It is a great pleasure to keep mentally and physically active in my 80s while dancing with new friends.

Bea is one of the youngest members of Open Arms at the ripe age of 9. This is her third season with the company, and when she’s not dancing, she loves hanging with her family and friends (some of which are often in the audience), singing, and doing anything that involves water!

I'm 45 years old and have been dancing with Open Arms for seven years. I enjoy dancing, taking fitness and yoga classes, hand cycling, and I love to sing for fun! I also love movies and watching Broadway shows. My favorite Broadway show is Hamilton. I have traveled to Disneyland, New York City, Europe, and New Zealand. I am an Open Arms Ambassador and this allows me the joy of sharing our mission and my love of dance, which truly helps my heart and soul move freely like never before.

Desi has a long time, deep love for dance, music, creativity and the healing arts. She grew up in the small town of Council, Idaho and as a young girl dreamt of being a ballerina, but with no dance class opportunities. She channeled her love for movement into sports, horseback riding, hiking, skiing, swimming, and always dancing with any opportunity. During college Desi met Megan, an inspiring dancer, and now the Open Arms Founder and Director. They became fast, dear friends and took every dance class that they could together. With many dance experiences beyond that, a dream of ballet transformed to a passion for Modern, Improve and Ecstatic Dance styles. Desiree joyfully blends dance as a therapeutic approach into her wellness practices including Ayurveda, Yoga, Occupational Therapy and Craniosacral Therapy. Desiree has danced with Open Arms for 7 years and now engages with Open Arms as a fellow dancer as well as an OT to assist with adaptive dance options and sensory strategies to help every dancer reach their full dancing potential.

My name is Evie. I am 9 years old and in 4th grade. This is my second year dancing with Open Arms. I love to dance, talk, hang out with my friends, and read. I am a Brownie in Girl Scouts. I like Open Arms because I can dance, be surrounded by friends, and share my ideas.

I love seeing my friends at Open Arms rehearsal each week. My friends there make me laugh and we have fun dancing and joking with one another. This year I got to help choreograph one of our pieces. When I am not dancing I enjoy hanging with my brothers, my friend Quinncy, going for walks, and watching sports. This is my 6th season with Open Arms

I’m 20 years old and have danced in Open Arms for eight years. The reason I love dancing with Open Arms is because we bring all kinds of people together to create art and open the minds of our community. Outside of dance I enjoy drawing and exploring nature.

I’m 17 years old and have danced with Open Arms for nine years. Dancing with my friends in Open Arms is the best part of my week. We all have so much fun together. Our different ages and abilities make our group awesome! My hobbies, other than dancing, are crafting and swimming.

My name is Haya, I am 20 years old, I love playing basketball, singing, playing with my guitar and watching movies. I love butterflies and dancing between flowers.

When I joined Open Arms I learned to face my fear. I like to dance with my mom and friends like a butterfly.

I am 21 years old. One of my favorite things to do is take trips to see my family. I have lots of cousins and we all like to sing, play instruments, and play games. My favorite trip was to Texas to celebrate my great-grandma's 100th birthday. I love music and I like to perform for people. I have been with Open Arms for about eight years. These are my special friends that I get to see every week and dance with. We help each other feel loved and happy.