Starlight Inclusive Dance Club, led by youth leaders Zihan and Bofan, brought together high school students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the joy of dance. As passionate dancers themselves, the youth leaders wanted to inclusively share physical, emotional, and social benefits of dance. The project created a welcoming space where participants could express themselves, build confidence, and connect with others through dynamic movement.
The relationships built throughout each dance session became the driving force behind the project. Before every practice, participants eagerly greeted the youth leaders by name, creating a welcoming and joyful environment. For Zihan, these moments became something she looked forward to each day. The participants' kindness, determination, and enthusiasm for learning new dances inspired both youth leaders to continue expanding the program, strengthening connections, and creating meaningful opportunities for inclusion.
Zihan and Bofan established an inclusive dance club that brought together individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and volunteers from high schools across Beijing for regular integrated dance practices. Through fun, engaging, and accessible classes, participants built friendships, developed their dance skills, and learned to collaborate in an inclusive environment.

The club's efforts culminated in an inclusive charity dance performance, where dancers with IDD and their unified partners performed together on stage, showcasing the skills and confidence they had developed throughout the program. The event celebrated the talents and achievements of every participant while promoting the value of inclusion within the community. Proceeds from the performance were donated to organizations that support disability rights and inclusion.
Starlight Inclusive Dance Club engaged high school students from more than ten schools across Beijing, fostering friendships and connections that extended beyond the dance studio. The wide reach their project had was quintessential in laying the foundation for future youth initiatives of a similar nature. Through regular interaction and collaboration, participants expanded their social networks, built confidence, and developed a stronger sense of belonging within their community. The club’s mission and stories were also shared online, generating more than 800,000 social media impressions and attracting engagement from influencers and celebrities. By highlighting the hidden talents of individuals with IDD, the project successfully promoted a more inclusive community.
One of Zihan’s favorite memories came at the end of each dance class, when participants would gather in the center of the stage, dancing and singing together with what she described as “joyful smiles.” Their enthusiasm was infectious, often inspiring everyone in the room to join in the celebration.

Reflecting on the project, the youth leaders also learned valuable lessons about organizing events. Coordinating a large public event required extensive communication with venues, ticket sellers, and guest performers, making preparation more complex than they had originally anticipated. But despite these challenges, especially when coordinating schedules across different schools, Zihan and Bofan’s teamwork shined through. While the project period is over, Zihan and Bofan continue to invite their classmates and friends to participate in their club activities, dancing for inclusion.