Moved to dance

Area pupils say studying dance has affected other areas of their lives.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
With so many distractions and gadgets vying for more and more of a typical teenager's time, how is it that so many still find time to study dance and ballet?
It's not exactly rocket science to figure out that both require a large amount of focus to say nothing of sheer discipline, all against a backdrop of instantaneous information and, some might say, a shorter societal attention span.
The reasons many teens gravitate toward ballet and dance lessons, as well as what the teens get out of both, are perhaps as varied as dance moves themselves. Nevertheless, an early and firm foundation on the part of those who pursue ballet and dance lessons seems to be a common link.
Victoria Climo, 16, and Alyssa Laret, 15, both of whom take ballet at Ruth's Robics & amp; Dance in Boardman, started dancing at ages 3 and 4, respectively. What they plan to do with what they're learning, however, is perhaps as diverse as the ways to perform pirouettes.
"I definitely want to take it all the way," said Alyssa, a sophomore at Springfield High School. "My biggest dream is to be with the American Ballet [Theater]."
Learning a lot
Alyssa said she's trying to gain as much knowledge about dancing as possible, but added that she realizes a career is likely to be relatively short largely because most people's bodies change as they age. Alyssa also said she wants to have a career to fall back on, too.
Dancing will probably always have a place in Victoria's heart, she said, adding that personal enjoyment is a primary motivator for her taking instruction. The benefits she derives from dancing, however, don't take a stage left after she leaves Ruth's Robics.
"The determination carries over in school and family," said Victoria, who's also a 10th-grader at Springfield High. "It's made me want to push myself to do the best I can in everything I do."
Wanting to do something to serve a higher purpose was on the mind of 17-year-old Kaitlyn Fabian, a Boardman High School junior, when she decided to stay with ballet. Kaitlyn said she believes her dancing skills "[are] a gift from God. I use it to worship him."
Kaitlyn said she began dancing at age 10 and that being a gymnast has been a lifelong ambition. One of her aspirations is to join a professional dance troupe in Mississippi, she said.
Benefits
One of the most significant benefits for her, Kaitlyn continued, has been ballet's ability to boost her self-confidence and sense of self-expression. Lasting friendships also are likely to come from the experience, she predicted.
Ruth Balestra, owner of Ruth's Robics, said she's seeing more parents wanting to enroll younger kids -- some as young as 3 -- into her programs. The main applications of dance lessons are improved timing and flexibility, both of which are helpful in learning a musical instrument and participating in sports, she noted.
Dance also has a spiritual element, and allows for the release of certain chemicals in the brain, which often leads to a sharper mind and added happiness and well being, Balestra said.
Balestra noted that part of the reason more youngsters are taking dance is because some schools are removing gym classes from their curriculums. Many parents want something to help their kids stay focused and to keep their weight down, she added.
Improved focus, poise and strength have been attributes Chris Metzler and Sherry DeWitt have seen in their 7-year-old daughters, Alyssa and Kendra, respectively, both of whom take lessons at Kathi's Dance & amp; Gym Center in Poland Township.
"Self-confidence and self-esteem are the No. 1 benefits," added Pam Wardle of Poland, whose three daughters, ages 7, 8 and 10, also take dance and gymnastics at Kathi's.
Even though none of her pupils have gone on to Broadway, one opened her own modern dance studio in New York City, explained Kathi Halbert, owner of Kathi's Dance Center. Many have gone on to perform in various shows by Easy Street Productions, she said.
Keeping it fun
Halbert added that TV and the proliferation of computers and technology have contributed to kids' being less active than in previous generations. A big part of her philosophy is to try to give them something fun to be part of, Halbert said.
"I have stressed that it's the journey, not the destination," she said of her approach.
Halbert, who opened her studio in the mid-1960s, noted that her approximately 300 dance pupils take part in performances but not competitions.