Students from Bust a Move Dance (BAM) will be travelling to Los Angeles in July to perform at the World Special Olympics.

For the students with disabilities ranging from autism, down syndrome, deafness, and other physical impairments, this journey will be one where their abilities are put to the test.

For director Ali Phillips this dream was a long time coming.

In 2009 Ms Phillips volunteered at s.p.a.c.e, a specialised community centre for people with special needs.

"I volunteered, I fell in love with it and I was asked to start a class of my own for the people who attended that community centre," Ms Phillips said.

"I just loved the students for their no inhibition attitude and their passion for dance and the community and not worrying about embarrassment or any of that.

"My connection with disability came very naturally and BAM grew from there."

Ms Phillips started BAM while she was studying dance and education at university.

"I was going to university and doing bust a move at the same time," she said.

Since then, the organisation has expanded to include 60 students, as well as classes in special schools, disability centres, respite centres and high schools.

For Ms Phillips, there is a strong vision that supports her both in her organisation and in her life.

"It's that people of all abilities should feel really equal and powerful," she said.

"We try to take the word disability out, so we say people with all abilities.

"Anyone can dance, anyone can come and dance."

While BAM is a dance school, Ms Phillips said it is not just about dance.

"We don't teach people with disabilities how to dance, because they know how to dance," she said.

"What we do is we use dance as a vehicle to teach life skills.

"It's not like a dance studio where you go and learn a routine and you perform it at and eisteddfod and you win first or second or something like that.

"It's more that we use dance as a means to teach things like confidence and social skills, resilience, independence, performance skills, organisation skills, all that kind of stuff - it has a greater meaning.

Ms Phillips said working with people with disabilities is easy.

"What's cool is that there is no preconceived notion about what dance should be, what moves are which, what should or shouldn't be done," she said.

"With them it's movement, they do it because they love it and it feels great.

"That's the really special thing - it makes my job a lot easier when everyone in the room loves to dance."

Ms Phillips is like a third parent to her students, teaching kids resilience and letting them out of their shell.

"I'm continuously seeing students who have grown from the classes," she said.

"I've seen students break down and pick themselves up again.

"I've seen them frustrated go outside, have a breather and then bring themselves back into the classroom.

"Last week I taught two girls who were crying in class and I told them you're not in primary school anymore, you need to figure out why you're upset, acknowledge it and have a drink of water and bring yourself back in."

After performing at the Australia and Pacific Special Olympics Games, the dream of performing at the world Special Olympic Games was born.

"For most of them it's the first time they've travelled overseas - it's a once in a lifetime opportunity that wouldn't have been offered to them before," Ms Phillips said.

"It's going to be interesting, I can sit here and say it's going to change their lives but it's not going to be all smooth sailing.

"I'm sure we're going to have some hiccups, but I think when we talk about the skills we talk about in dance they will be able to put them into practice over there."

Over $42,000 has been raised through a crowd funding platform to pay for the costs of the trip – surpassing the $30,000 needed.

"I actually feel extremely supported," Ms Phillips said.

"This trip isn't just for dancers - it's for Brisbane as a community, all the people who are donating, all the people who are watching and following stuff on social media.

"It's a great way to bring our community together and celebrate the idea of inclusion."

BAM will soon expand to Melbourne and Ms Phillips plans to expand it even further.

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