Lin to switch director duties

The longtime instructor received lots of praise for her accomplishments.
By STEPHANIE UJHELYI
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ballet Western Reserve's Anita Lin has decided to make a costume change.
Lin, who has served as the professional dance school's artistic director since 1982, will become the BWR's executive director by the end of year. The board of trustees has already begun interviewing artistic director candidates to fill her shoes.
The position was advertised primarily in dance publications; 10 applicants are being considered, said Lin. Two candidates from Ohio are in the running; they are from Columbus and Wadsworth. The goal is to fill the position by September.
Offering praise
Michele Lepore Hagan became a member of the Ballet Western Reserve board shortly after her daughter Natalia started taking dance a decade ago. She has firsthand experience of what Lin's influence has meant to her students.
"Anita has taught our children professionalism and experience, a truly amazing gift," said Hagan, who is the director of Youngstown State University's Performing Arts Series. "She also teaches discipline for the art form, which is a requirement for dancers."
Chaya Kessler, a member of the school's board, said Anita Lin's face was synonymous with the ballet's image. "She helped to build the Ballet Western Reserve to what it is today. [The decision for her to change jobs] wasn't totally expected but an understandable move on her part. It is very courageous of her to step away from this."
Rodney Lamberson, a member of the school's executive board, said the Ballet Western Reserve has seen remarkable growth since Lin's arrival. Collaboration with other arts organizations, and visibility within the community have grown under Lin, said Lamberson.
"It has resulted in a broader student base, geographically and economically," Lamberson explained.
Scope of knowledge
Hagan also had praise for Lin's breadth of knowledge.
"Even though [Lin] is a serious dancer, ballet-based, she knows that today's dancer needs experience in many different facets of dance, including Broadway, hip-hop, tap. Anita's vision and her love for all types of dance have allowed for our children to develop into complete dancers."
Kessler agreed. "[Lin] made sure girls were exposed to many types of music and dance. That, in itself, was a beautiful thing," she said.
Lin's collaboration credits include the Youngstown Symphony, Youngstown Playhouse, Oakland Center for the Arts, Pennsylvania Young People's Concerts, Easy Street Productions and Youngstown State University's College of Fine and Performing Arts.
The Ballet Western Reserve trains 275 students, with five studios going nonstop from 3:30 to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The nonprofit school has been operating since 1963.
Unlike many other dance schools and studios, Ballet Western Reserve focuses solely on education -- not competition, Lin said.
"Professional training is our focus," said Lin. "Most of our students are here because they love to dance. We provide a happy, healthy environment for those students who want to learn art of dance."
The teaching staff consists of eight former professional dancers, all with degrees in dance.
Her background
Before joining the Ballet Western Reserve, for example, Lin danced professionally with the Cincinnati Ballet Company, the New Orleans Ballet Company and in London, where she studied the Royal Academy of Dance technique.
She danced as principal with the University of Louisville Preparatory Dance Company and received her bachelor's degree in ballet at the University of Cincinnati.
Lin said it is time to move on and journey into new horizons until she retires. "It is another phase of life for a creative woman," she said.
For years, people have asked the 48-year-old Lin how she keeps her dancer's body in such good shape. Her secrets might soon be available to everyone.
Lin is formulating a workout regimen for women 40 and older based on ballet, yoga and pilates, as well as strength training and body toning. She hopes to offer the classes locally.