To make dance accessible for everyBODY
Our Mission
We believe dance and other creative endeavors should be accessible to everyone who wants to enjoy them. From developing physical skills to improving our emotional and social well-being, art is a powerful tool that helps us live our lives to the fullest.
Able Arts was born out of a desire to combine creativity and therapy.
Our Story
Dance, music, and art are powerful tools that complement traditional occupational therapy. We want to offer them in a convenient and inclusive fashion. Our founder, Hannah, has studied the effects of dance therapy, and developed the inclusive dance program at The Nashville Ballet. She’s seen firsthand the need for more inclusive providers and opportunities in Middle Tennessee, and she wants to bring the joy of dance to anyone who wants to discover it, while meeting therapeutic goals along the way.
Dance-based therapy builds physical strength, coordination, and dynamic and static balance.
Choreography and practice builds memory, dual-tasking abilities, and executive functioning skills.
Participating in a fun activity instills confidence and social skills and improves emotional well-being.
Benefits of Dance Based Therapy
“Through dancing, she is more confident in using her walker.”
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"She tells everyone how she is able to dance like anyone else now."
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“Can propel her wheelchair better. Works on arm strength and range of motion.”
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Meet the Founder
Hannah Mathews, OTD, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist, dance teacher and business owner based out of Nashville, TN. With more than five years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, along with extensive training and consulting for other inclusive programs, Hannah launched Able Arts Therapy so that she could work individually with clients who are seeking to meet their therapeutic goals through dance.
Hannah has specific experience working with clients who have experienced neuro-related injuries (i.e. stroke, spinal-cord, brain injury) as well as developmental disabilities of all ages (i.e. Cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy). Every service at Able Arts Therapy is designed to help clients achieve specific goals, gain functional independence, and live their lives to the fullest!
