Kent State student Melissa Knestaut was able to increase happiness and motivation among residents at a homeless shelter in New Philadelphia, Ohio by using dance.

Knestaut volunteered regularly and taught basic dance classes at the shelter.  After understanding the positive effects her classes had on the shelter’s residents, she began to tailor the sessions for needs specific to the residents like stress management and healthy self-expression.

Taught by Knestaut, adults at the shelter were able to learn a variety of dancing techniques including hip-hop, country western, ballet, modern and improvisation.

Before each class, Knestaut measured participants’ emotions using a Lickert scale.  Participants measured high in emotions like fatigue and stress.  After attending Knestaut’s dance class, participants’ energy and happiness had increased and fatigue and stress had decreased.

Knestaut’s research has gained national recognition. In 2006, she presented her findings at the National Dance Education Organization’s national conference in Long Beach, California. She is currently in the process of writing an article about dance as a social service for the Therapeutic Recreation Journal.

For more information please contact Rachel Wenger-Pelosi at 330-672-8046.

Media Contacts:

Rachel Wenger-Pelosi, rwenger@kent.edu, 330-672-8046
Erika Puch, epuch@kent.edu