In Just Dance 2025 Edition, dancer and choreographer Natacha Pierart created the choreography for the song "Something I Can Feel," written by Deaf singer-songwriter Mandy Harvey. But this wasn't just any routine, Natacha used a powerful blend of dance and sign language to tell the story of the song in a way that's both visual and emotional. She believes that dance can be more than just cool moves, it can be a universal language that communicates with everyone, including people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
This map is more than a performance; it's a meaningful step toward accessibility in rhythm games. By integrating sign language into the choreography, it opens new ways for players to connect with music and movement, regardless of hearing ability. It's a celebration of inclusive design, showing how creativity and accessibility can go hand in hand.
Fun fact:
Natacha added a few signs from American Sign Language (ASL) as a tribute to singer Mandy Harvey, who is Deaf and uses ASL. Even though Natacha usually works with French Sign Language (LSF), she wanted to connect different sign languages, kind of like mixing English and French in a song. It was her way of showing that movement and language can bring people together.
Behind the scenes:
Creating the dance for Just Dance wasn't easy! Natacha had to make sure the moves worked for players who might not know sign language, or even how to dance. She worked with the game's team to find the right balance: keeping the signs clear, the dance expressive, and the moves fun and easy to follow with a controller in hand.
Whether you're dancing for fun, fitness, or to feel something deeper, Just Dance continues to be a space where everyone belongs, no matter how they move or communicate.
Keep the party going with us on Tik Tok, X, YouTube Community and Instagram.
With love,
The Just Dance Community Team