Leading movement

Leading movement

In Las Vegas, a unique program brings the gift of dance to people with disabilities.

BY KIMBERLY BAILEY-TUREAUD

After a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis cut short her career as a professional dancer, Tshlene Henreid moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to get a new start.

Classified as permanently disabled, she soon felt another calling on her life. “Once I arrived in Las Vegas, I was told by a friend about a show concept that really struck my interest,” Henreid recalled. “I kind of took the ball and ran with it, because it affected me personally — and that was to reach out to disabled children, and teach them the gift of dance. I called local organizations that had a roster of children with Down syndrome and other disabilities, and we put on a great show at the West Las Vegas Library Theatre. From that moment I was hooked, and I knew this would be a part of my ministry.”

The art of dance has always been a tremendous part of Henreid’s life. She holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance from the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Wash. After graduating from college, Henreid immediately began her professional dancing career, performing abroad in such places as Japan, Bermuda and Scotland among others.

“I had a very successful career in dance for three years before being diagnosed with the rheumatoid arthritis that ultimately brought my dance career to a halt,” she said. “It has been a long journey just to walk again, bathe myself, and to get back on my feet. But, you know, when storms come it might be a reason — and now I dance through life with my non profit, Mosaic Sky Performing Arts Program. It specializes in working with children with special needs. I believe that children should have unlimited opportunities to live out their dreams. The true audition is the audition within.”