NEWTON —It was a momentous occasion for 12-year-old Lily Tepe from Sharon. Slowly, she uncapped a tube of lipstick and lightly swiped it across her lips while sitting on a lobby bench waiting for her dance class to start at the Boston Ballet School in Newton.
Minutes later, Lily stood in front of the massive mirror in the ballet studio, coyly smiling at herself as the rest of her fellow dancers filed in.
And so began an hourlong Adaptive Dance Program, where students of all abilities are welcome.
For more than two decades, the weekly program for different age groups has run for a full school year. It specializes in creative dance movements and ballet technique for individuals with all disabilities, including those with Down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. Lily’s youth-level class, for ages 8 to 12, is taught by Anna Cox, a tireless instructor, a bundle of energy, and a true motivator.
Cox was a dancer from age 3 up until she graduated from college. Now she is in her eighth year at the school, while also having a full-time job as a special education teacher at the Horace Mann Elementary School in Newton. She said the students always make her happy.
“Honestly, this makes me very energized,’’ Cox said. “It’s been a dream of mine and a favorite part of my week. I feel the goal is to find joy with movement.’’
At the recent class, students took turns leading the group with their unique maneuvers. Sitting in front of the studio mirror, Maggie Newton, 11, from Sharon, spread her arms out like a bird in flight as students and staff imitated her every move. And fly they did, waving their arms until the beat of the live drummer stopped.
Then came a water break and a special moment when Cox and her teaching partner, Christine Kane, a physical therapist, made more personal connections with their students, one-on-one.
Parents and family are not allowed into the studio to watch, but they hear plenty of stories when the class ends.
Cox ended the class by having her students become trees. Some twirled colorful scarves and held leaves high in the air. Their arms were the branches as Cox became their wind, gracefully spinning and swirling her blue scarf above and around them.
At the end of the performance, the students and staff sat on the floor to stretch and catch their breath. Eva Ann, 10, wrapped her arms around Cox as she sat with the group. In an orderly fashion, the students lined up at the door and walked to their family members.
Parker Durell, 10, from Sharon, sat next to her mother, Beth Anne, in the lobby and took off her ballet slippers. Parker was 6 when she first danced and has a cousin who danced for the Boston Ballet.
“I just love to see them, all happy and smiling.’’ Beth Anne said. “It gives them a sense of self. They talk about it at home and in the community. “ she added.
Cox came by to say goodbye to the Durells and said they would be doing a special performance in June for friends and family to end the school year.
“I have some students for three years. It’s very emotional to leave them.’’ she said.