Shake Down Dancers
The Shake Down Dancers meet most Thursdays, from 5-6 pm, at the Community Center,
107 S Chestnut St, in downtown Seymour.
Lisa Whitson
Founding Instructor
My name is Lisa Whitson. I have spent my entire life being an advocate for the special needs community. My journey started with the birth of my beautiful daughter, Kourtni, on September 23, 1990. She was born with severe brain damage due to lack of oxygen at birth. She was my angel and my whole heart. She passed away on December 28, 1992. I vowed that I would honor her memory with being an advocate. I spent 25 years working in the special needs classrooms. I am also a caregiver to four amazing young ladies. Three of those ladies are on the Shake Down Dancers Team. I wanted to be a teacher to these ladies. It has blessed me in so many ways. It is a wonderful group that loves to dance and have fun. They are amazing! It is my favorite hour of the week. It makes me excited to see them get in the community and show everyone how amazing they are. It is a blessing.
Tracey McCormick
Instructor
My name is Tracey McCormick. I am a widow mom to three children, ages 26, 23, and 15. For eight years, I worked as a Special Education Paraprofessional before and after the birth of my last child who was born with Down Syndrome and Autism. Unbeknownst to me, God was preparing me and guiding the direction of my life years prior to Ava May being born. Sadly, what he did not prepare me for was becoming a widow shortly after we had moved to Florida for more opportunities for her. As I have discovered, there are many opportunities here in Seymour. First of many, is my boyfriend's employer which is driving semis out of the Walmart Distribution. Next is the introduction of my dear friend, Ava's caregiver, and her dance coach, Lisa Whitson. While living in Florida, Ava was a participant in Special Olympics Cheerleading and I was a volunteer. I knew that with joining the Shake Down Dancers, we would feel right at home. My heart is happy seeing the dancers laughing, building friendships, trying new things, and just living their best lives.
Kristi Banister
Instructor
My name is Kristi Banister. I am a wife and a mom to three kids. I am an administrative assistant for special education at Seymour Community Schools. My love for dance started when my mom enrolled me when I was two. Individuals with special needs have always had a special place in my heart also. So putting two things together was a no-brainer when I saw they needed another instructor. Being able to be a part of this group is such a blessing and I can't wait for everyone else to see them shine and shake it!
Janette Coulter
Instructor
My name is Janette Coulter. I am a business owner, a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor for the past 14 years, and a mother of two. I'm also a full-time caregiver to my 24 year old with Autism. I want to help these amazing dancers because when a special person learns something new, it lights them up from the inside out, and I'm blessed to stand in their glow.
