Teens for BOLD
The first thing you notice at a BOLD dance session isn’t the music or the choreography. It’s the bright, unfiltered, contagious happiness that fills the room like sunlight.
It’s what hooked Carmel High School sophomore Remy Hollingsworth when, this past spring, he stepped into a BOLD class and watched his childhood friend Cody, who has Down syndrome, light up on the dance floor.
“When I saw the dance class, I saw pure joy,” Hollingsworth says.
That moment didn’t just move him. It mobilized him to create Teens for BOLD, a student-led initiative dedicated to supporting BOLD (Benefits of Learning Dance).
BOLD is a nonprofit founded in 2022 by professional ballroom dancer Sean Gehlhausen to bring ballroom dance instruction, community and confidence to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Gehlhausen, who has more than 30 years of professional ballroom experience, teaches people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds because he believes deeply in the potential of the IDD community.
BOLD hosts classes twice a week, monthly events and an annual gala that showcases 15 solos and three group performances at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.
Hollingsworth, president and founder of Teens for BOLD, gathered a group of high-achieving, service-minded peers — all sophomores — who also had personal ties to the IDD community and/or a passion for helping others. They include HC Wang (vice president), Leo Berry (director of community outreach), Ethan Morgel (director of operations), Knox Leimer (director of finances) and Benny Winger (director of outreach).
Wang was eager to get involved because his brother used to suffer from tics, so seeing people with disabilities dancing was heartwarming.
The BOLD dance classes are full of enthusiastic students who put their all into each performance.
“These choreographed dances are complex,” Hollingsworth says. “It’s impressive what Sean teaches students to do!”[Text Wrapping Break]
As the name states — Benefits of Learning Dance — BOLD is transformative to each person who participates.
Research shows that dance improves cognitive skills (focus, attention, memory, problem-solving), physical abilities (mobility, posture, balance, coordination, spatial awareness, strength), emotional well-being (mood, self-expression, self-esteem) and social development (communication, teamwork, interpersonal skills, boundary awareness).
BOLD amplifies these benefits through multisensory learning as students say it, see it, hear it, read it, write it, do it and repeat it.
In Monday and Thursday classes, students learn eight ballroom styles — Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Swing, Hustle and Salsa — and at least three patterns within each style. They also learn both lead and follow roles, which teaches empathy, cooperation and perspective-taking.
For individuals with IDD — many of whom don’t get enough physical activity, mental stimulation or social interaction — dance can be life-changing. Without these supports, risks increase for depression, cognitive decline, cardiovascular issues, pain and decreased mobility.
In addition to hosting ballroom showcases and community events, the organization hosts special outings. For instance, students recently performed at an Indiana Fever game.
Teens for BOLD has set an ambitious goal of raising $10,000 by the end of the summer so they can purchase a table at the Nov. 6 BOLD Gala and fill it with Carmel High School students. The students want to signal that local teens are eager to step up and champion the IDD community.
“These IDD communities are no different from us,” Hollingsworth says. “Everyone deserves to have a passion and pursue something they love.”
The BOLD community is extremely supportive of one another. Students sing “Happy Birthday” to one another and regularly distribute hugs for accomplishments and encouragement.
“It really is like one big family,” Hollingsworth says.
Wang was blown away by the inclusive atmosphere.
“From the moment I stepped inside the classroom, everyone welcomed me,” he says. “I felt so at home.”
Wang hopes Teens for BOLD’s work inspires his peers to realize how accessible serving others can be.
“I want to show other high schoolers that we can make a difference,” he says, noting that in the first two weeks, their group raised $2,000.
As a result of their early success, their mindset — and goals — have shifted.
“Initially, there was a hesitation about what we could do,” Wang says. “But once we started, we realized we’re capable of more than we thought. At first, $10,000 seemed like a huge amount of money. Now we’re thinking maybe we can raise $15,000 or $20,000.”
Right now, the teens are leaning heavily on personal connections — family, friends, teachers, mentors and community members who believe in their mission. They have other fundraising plans in place, however.
For instance, they are organizing a summer 5K fundraiser and are reaching out to local businesses for corporate sponsorships. The team also plans to engage with the community by attending local events to share BOLD’s mission and invite others to get involved.
For teenagers juggling school, sports and social lives, launching a nonprofit initiative could feel overwhelming. These teens, however, have felt nothing but energized.
“I’ve learned how much I can do,” Wang says. “Reaching out to news outlets was easier than I expected. And I’ve learned so much about our team. We work really well together.”
He also rediscovered something more personal.
“Being in the ballroom made me feel free — like I was 7 again,” he says. “There’s so much pressure in society to be perfect. At BOLD, I can laugh, learn and not be embarrassed if I mess up a step.”
Hollingsworth echoes that sentiment.
“I thought helping the community would be super hard,” he says. “It isn’t. Sean showed me that. Helping people brings me up and makes me feel better.”
They also learned something about authenticity.
“When you ask for donations, adults can tell in three seconds whether you actually care,” Hollingsworth says. “The more you care, the more likely you are to make a difference.”
The Nov. 6 BOLD Gala is more than a fundraiser. It’s a celebration of talent, courage and community. For the Carmel teens, it’s also a chance to show up — not just as donors, but as allies.
“We want Carmel High School to be represented,” Hollingsworth says. “We want people to see that teens care and can make a difference.”
For more information about BOLD, visit bolddance.org. Check out Teens for BOLD on Instagram @teensforbold.
The donation link and QR code: zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/teens-for-bold.
