Anna Guthrie is used to her twin sister, Kayla, getting all the attention.

Wherever the 7-year-olds go, Anna is forced to take a back seat. Born with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by developmental delays, she simply can't keep up.

Then she met Ashley Gregory. In January, the Hanover County teen organized a weekly dance class at Ann Catherine Cross School of Dance for children with disabilities. And for the second year, the 14-year-old led a dance camp at Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Mechanicsville during Spring Break. While Anna grooved to songs from "High School Musical," Kayla waited in the lobby.

"Anna is in heaven," said her mother, Lori. "She's so used to tagging along with her sister to activities not designed for her. Here, people understand who she is."

Along with about five other children with disabilities, Anna learned basic dance steps during the three-day camp that ended Thursday.

While flying a spiral kite, the children glided across the room on their toes. They galloped like horses to "She'll Be Coming'Round the Mountain" and moved their arms like butterflies to instrumentals. Elvis serenaded as they passed balls back and forth to strengthen stretching and coordination skills. "High School Musical" songs blasted during free dance.

"This gives them the chance to be in the spotlight," said Lori Levy, whose 12-year-old daughter, Rachel Danielsen, participated in the free camp. "This isn't about them getting their feet in an exact position. It's about expressing themselves through movement."

After her first camp last year, Ashley set to work organizing the weekly classes at Ann Catherine Cross School of Dance. The next eight-week session begins Monday.

"This is so much fun," said Ashley, an eighth-grader at Oak Knoll Middle School. "I get so much joy out of seeing the expression on their faces."

The classes are designed for children with a range of disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism and mental retardation. Because most have short attention spans, Ashley and her volunteers keep things moving. One minute, they're doing the twist; the next, they're imitating a swimmer.

"It's wonderful," said Anne White, whose 15-year-old daughter, Lindsay, enrolled in the camp. "These kids can go at their own pace. There's no competition. They can be themselves."

Ashley has been dancing since she was 2, first at Kim's School of Dance and now Ann Catherine Cross School of Dance. At Rural Point Elementary School, she met Rachel Danielsen, and the girls became friends.

Two years ago, Rachel wanted to perform in the school talent show, so Ashley gave her private dance lessons. Ashley has also volunteered at a music camp for children with disabilities through the Mechanicsville Christian Center.

"I was a little nervous at first," Ashley said. "But it's a great experience to work with someone who is not like everyone else. It gives you a different perspective on life. It gives me an appreciation for what I have and what I can do."

Her camps are free. The fee for the weekly classes at Ann Catherine Cross School of Dance are paid to the school.

"I don't want to get paid," Ashley said. "I'd rather just get the joy."
Contact Janet Caggiano at (804) 649-6157 or jcaggiano@timesdispatch.com.