During its 2022-2023 season, Wonderbound implemented a new partnership to provide access to dance for children enrolled in Sewall Child Development Center, an inclusive preschool, at WellPower. Founded in 1989, WellPower provides the largest volume of behavioral healthcare services in Colorado and is a place for recovery, resilience, and well-being, known nationally as a model for innovative and effective care. Sewall Child Development Center was established in partnership with Denver Public Schools and WellPower and provides early education and therapeutic supports for children ages 2.5-5; many of whom are neurotypical and neurodiverse.
Geographically, Wonderbound and WellPower are located very close to one another at just .8 miles away, and this proximity facilitates opportunities to provide arts access. Wonderbound’s initiative with Sewall Child Development Center and WellPower, titled WonderWell, includes weekly dance programming provided onsite at WellPower’s Dahlia Campus location by Wonderbound’s Registered Dance Movement Therapist. The program uses psychotherapy and dance movement therapy to develop resiliency, confidence, teamwork, and generosity.
HEather sutton
WonderWell Project Manager
Joined Wonderbound in 2011
Heather is a former professional dancer from Boston Massachusetts. She is a graduate of Bridgewater State College with a BA in Special Physical Education with a concentration in motor development. Heather moved to Colorado in 1999 to attend Naropa University where she received an MA in Somatic Psychology, and she is currently a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist. Heather began working with Ballet Nouveau Colorado (now Colorado Conservatory of Dance) in 2011 as an adaptive movement specialist and has been central to the creation of their adaptive dance program Ballet Expressions for students with disabilities. Shortly after, she became involved with Wonderbound on the development and implementation of Pari Passu, Wonderbound’s outreach program in collaboration with St. Francis Center. Heather is now Wonderbound's Project Manager for its collaboration with WellPower, titled WonderWell, which provides weekly dance sessions underserved children, families, and individuals with disabilities.