Meet Lucy Wallace | Founder and program director, Dance To Be Free

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucy Wallace and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucy, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Having danced since I was five years old and completing a masters degree in psychology, I knew the two worlds of movement and healing come together in a therapeutic manner.

I had no idea where to start, I had no experience with running a nonprofit or working within the prison industrial complex so I just cold called the Women’s Prison in Denver and got a hold of the captain who told me to just become a volunteer..

I was also aware that the most traumatized people in our society are in prison, and I knew Dance combined with cathartic music would be a powerful recipe for transformation.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In Dance To Be Free’s 10th year we have seen beautiful results – within the first hour of our workshops, we see people open up without having to talk about their childhood trauma., the healing is immediate.

What sets us apart is we are not only teaching our participants how to heal through cathartic movement, but we are teaching them how to teach each other so they are gaining not only a therapeutic skills but skills in leadership. They are especially learning how to heal in community in a very challenging environment.

I have learned that this is an extremely challenging endeavor. Working within the DOC while running a 501(c)(3) is nearly impossible.. There are many roadblocks and just a mountain of red tape to simply get in the door let alone bring in materials. I have learned how to pivot as each training is different. I have learned how to be patient due to the red tape changing day-to-day.. I have literally learned how to dance with it!

I want the world to know that this needs to be in every prison!

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.
I would take them to our dance classes in Boulder and then up to Gross reservoir and then downtown Boulder for some happy hour.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a lot of people that have made this program possible, including past and current board members, my Dance mentor Chantal Pierrat, authors and speakers like Dr Bruce Perry and Gabor Mate. Also, our community in Boulder has contributed over the last decade, financially and emotionally!

Website: https://www.dancetobefree.org

Instagram: @dancetobefree.us

Facebook: @dancetobefree.org

Image Credits
Cliff Grassmick, Daily Camera, Chloe Weber