Here’s a nice little story about how the students at Dancing With Denise share happiness and kindness with the older generation.
Studio owner Denise Baller calls it the “Yaya Project,” named in honor of her mother Tina, who passed away in 2019. The studio recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, and from the very beginning, “Miss Tina” — whom Denise’s kids affectionately called “Yaya” — was a friendly, smiling face greeting everyone who entered the waiting room.
After Tina passed away, Denise wanted to come up with some way to continue spreading the happiness and kindness that her mother would share every day. The Yaya Project was born.
Every year (sometimes around Valentine’s Day, sometimes at Christmas), Dancing With Denise students each donate $5 to “adopt” a Gramma or Grampa. Denise takes all the donations and purchases small gifts, like fluffy socks, candy, stuffed animals and note pads. The students then make up small gift bags, which they deliver to residents of local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and memory care homes.
Denise makes weekly visits to elder care facilities, and this year on Valentine’s Day was able to deliver 40 gift bags to the residents. Some years she’s been able to deliver as many as 100.
Denise believes her Yaya Project is a great way to teach children the importance of being kind.
It’s a kind gesture to teach the kids that it doesn’t cost a lot of money to make someone smile! My mom loved “volunteering” as she would say, making everyone happy by her presence at the front desk! So in keeping her memory alive, every week I travel to various homes where elders live and share my love of music and dance with them, making them smile! A little love goes a long way!
The Yaya Project is a great example of how Denise takes her lessons well beyond the studio. By fostering community connections, she teaches her students that dance is not just a skill, but a powerful vehicle for spreading joy and making our world a better place.
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(posted 2/16/2026)
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webster on the web 
Cool. Great story
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Aw, thank you! Glad you liked it!