As a teenager, Rebecca Phelps found healing in a dance studio. Now 28, the Rochester native helps fellow trauma survivors find hope, healing, and community through the art of movement. Her organization, Gracious Dance, launched in 2019 and specializes in therapeutic dance and movement programs for survivors of interpersonal violence.
“Dance was my safe space growing up,” says Phelps, who studied for years at Anastasia’s Spotlight Dance (now Elevation Dance) in Churchville. After surviving sexual assault in her teens, dance became even more vital. “The very generous studio owner gave me a key and let me use the studio late at night.”
Those nights moving to music empowered her to move forward. Phelps went on to study psychology and dance at SUNY Brockport, graduating in 2019. When domestic violence disrupted her early adulthood, she again sought refuge in the studio—this time with a focus on helping others.
“I felt so alone at that time. Surviving an abusive relationship or sexual violence can feel really isolating,” she says. “I couldn’t find a community of others who understood, so I decided to create one using dance as a catalyst.”
What began as an informal monthly dance class evolved into a multi-generational community focused on trauma recovery through joyful movement and peer support. Phelps earned a trauma-informed yoga certification in 2021, and soon after launched Gracious Dance’s first official Empowerment Program for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. In Empowerment sessions, she leads participants through dance, yoga, and mindfulness exercises using a trauma-informed lens.
An equivalent program for younger participants, Kid-powerment, launched last January. These free, bi-monthly programs are open to everyone—no dance experience, or even interest in dance, required.
“People can participate as much or as little as they want,” explains Phelps, who estimates that as many as 80 participants have joined the Empowerment Program over the past five years. “If they’re nervous about movement, that’s totally okay. We can talk through it.”
In addition to Empowerment and Kid-powerment, Gracious Dance offers about seven recreational dance classes for kids and adults each week. The studio’s ‘give what you can, take what you need’ approach encourages students to donate personal care items or snacks, which are then shared with students or families in need.
“Comfort items and simple snacks can make a big difference for someone coming out of a traumatic situation,” Phelps says.
Fostering a spirit of giving is central to the Gracious Dance mission. The organization hosts regular drives to collect hygiene products and nonperishable food for Rochester-area nonprofits such as Angels of Mercy, which supports survivors of human trafficking, and Willow, a domestic violence center. Rather than traditional recitals, Gracious Dance produces an annual Show of Hope, a benefit performance held each April.
“The Show of Hope helps us keep our Empowerment programs completely free,” Phelps explains. Gracious Dance students perform alongside volunteers from other regional studios. Phelps hopes that performing in a benefit show helps even her youngest dancers understand the power of using their talents to make a positive impact.
The performances also provide a safe, supportive environment for Empowerment participants to take the stage—if they choose to. For dancers like Rachael, a student at Gracious Dance, the experience has been life-changing. She credits dancing at Gracious Dance, along with hard work in therapy, as having the biggest impact on her recovery.
“When I came to Empowerment a year ago [ . . .] the traumas I’d experienced left me depressed, isolated, and suicidal,” says Rachael. “Through Empowerment, I’ve been able to rediscover myself, awareness in my body, and a love for life. I have found a community where I am heard, supported, and loved. I have found a reason to keep going; something to look forward to. I have found a family.”
“It’s been impactful for me as well,” adds Phelps, who is currently working toward completing a master’s degree in clinical mental health at Geneva College. “All I wanted to do was help someone else. Seeing [Rachael’s] transformation makes all the hard work worth it.”
Beginning Dec. 1, all Gracious Dance programming will be held at Frequency Wellness on University Avenue. Empowerment programs meet the first and third Sundays of each month, and new participants are always welcome.
To learn more or get involved, visit GraciousDance.com.