Dance company performs Michael Jackson tribute

Photo by: Shaiyla Hakeem

Photo

Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Ruth's Robics and Dance Company dancers perform to Michael Jackson's "Black or White" May 22. A tribute to Jackson featuring 16 of his hit songs was performed before the groups' performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Ruth’s Robics and Dance Company held its spring recital May 22 at the Boardman High School’s Performing Arts Center.

More than 80 residents of Boardman, Canfield, Poland, Austintown New Middletown, New Springfield and Youngstown performed routines they have been preparing since November. Dance routines ranged from ballet and jazz to modern and hip-hop dancing.

Ruth Balestra, owner/director, said her goal is to provide an atmosphere for good and moral family fun. Attributing a portion of the show to the late Michael Jackson accomplished this goal.

“Since he died, I started to think about how his music has influenced other music,” she said. “It’s clean, artistic and nice to dance to.”

Following the music tribute, Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” was performed. Students in the lead roles included Poland’s Eric Crist, Sarah Marchese, Boardman’s Nathan Fabian, Mary Smrek, Anthony Villa, Austintown’s Leslie Weaver, Canfield’s Nathaniel Carlson, New Springfield’s Vince Siciliano and YSU’s Kaitlyn Fabian. The play featured ballet, acting and singing to Julie Andrew’s and the London Cast’s musical sound tracks.

More than 30 routines were performed throughout the show. The dance company has one recital a year and includes dancers ages 3 to 18.