Meet Jari Majewski Price | CEO & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jari Majewski Price and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jari, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Feel the Beat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established in 2016 to make arts and culture accessible to those who are deaf, hard of hearing, and with special needs. Today, this simple yet powerful mission coupled with the implementation of innovative technology and immersive curriculum has provided more than 3,000 young people living with impairments and disabilities access to the expressive world of music and dance throughout Colorado. The benefits of cultural enrichment, particularly through music and dance, are vast among youth populations. In addition to physical benefits, research indicates long-term, participation in these activities also improve self-confidence and communication skills, and promotes collaboration, cooperation, and self- expression. Feel the Beat recognized there was a gap in the community, as many organizations and institutions are not focused on providing accessible programming to those with different needs. Therefore, we created a beautiful and specialized program for the betterment of the community, and the world; a safe, fun, educational, and accessible space where everyone is included. Feel the Beast ensures that no one is left out in the world of music and dance.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2016, my co-founder, Julia Faliano decided to create Feel the Beat when working in a multiple-needs classroom together and discovered a lack of opportunities for our student population. We wanted to create a space that was uniquely accessible so that our students could have the benefits of music and dance in their lives. Specifically, I am a Teacher of the Deaf, performer, and dancer for over 20 years. The concept for Feel the Beat came to life from my passions for dance, musical theatre, Sign Language, and love for working with Deaf and special needs children. From an early age, I began my journey learning the art of musical theatre, performance, and Sign Language. They all called out to me and touched my soul in very distinct ways. As I ventured off to college and then into my career, I constantly searched for a way to blend these interests or a way to find a balance between them. It was honestly quite a struggle. That is, until I found my overarching purpose, one that integrated my passions and then some. ~ Blending these creative arts and bring what I love, music & dance, to those who are deaf and with special needs. I made it my mission to invent a new way to make dance and music education accessible to all!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some top places/activities I would plan for a week-long trip include: Walking through Pearl St in Boulder, having brunch and walking down Tennyson street, going to a brewery for a flight, some food truck snacks, and bluegrass music. Some favorites include station 26, Stem Cider, Denver Beer Co, New Terrain Brewing, & Bottles & Barrels. During the day, we would mix up our activities between going on a bike ride in Golden or down the platte river, going on a short beautiful hike, going to a mountain town for a day trip like winter park, Breckenridge, or Frisco, spending the day in wash park, hitting a hot spring, going to urban putt for some mini-golf, check out the flat irons in boulder, enjoy drinking outside at happy camper, walking around the source, brewery hop all through Rino, play games at 1 up, and/or go to a red rocks concert and/or hike/do yoga on the rocks. If it was during the summertime, I would include white water rafting, a Rockies game, and going paddle boarding at Chatfield or cherry creek reservoir. At night, I would go to some favorite local spots like Uncle for the best ramen, The Bindery, Avelina, Citizen Rail, Acova, True Food in Cherry Creek, Milk Market, Rioja on Laimer Street, eat the largest pancakes at Snooze, brunch at Revelry on Tennyson, go to Union Station for some pre-dinner drinks or for dessert, and enjoy the best ice cream from Sweet Cow or Little Man’s!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I would love to acknowledge, that without the support from our incredible community, our families, student’s families, friends, and of course our students, we would not be where we are today. I want to give special recognition to our extraordinary board members and volunteers who dedicate a substantial amount of time, hard work, and effort into our organization. The level of passion our team has for our mission and for making a difference is simply moving! Most of all, I am thankful for our students. Without a doubt, it’s the students who give us the drive to keep moving forward and finding new ways to create, teach, and advocate for them. You are our everything and we love you!

Website: www.feelthebeat.dance
Instagram: feel_the_beat_dance
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dancestudiofeelthebeat
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/feel-the-beat-wheat-ridge
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FeeltheBeat_keepthebeat
Other: Register for classes/trial a free class: https://app.thestudiodirector.com/feelthebeatinc/portal.sd?page=Login

Image Credits
Photos by Amber Andrews http://www.amberjeanette.com/