The Olympics was all over the television last summer when 10 children were taking dance classes.
During the last week of lessons, their instructor, Nora Parker, asked them what they would like to do — ballet, jazz, tap or tumbling. Of course, they chose tumbling, attempting to do the amazing moves they had watched Olympic athletes doing.
It was the end of a seven-week session at L’Academie De Danse on Plaza Boulevard for the children, who qualified for the lessons that were paid for by local sponsors.
“It was so rewarding,” Parker, artistic director and owner of the dance studio, said, “because these children — it was something they’ve never done, and it was kind of a dream for some of them.”
Parker said last year’s class was so successful, she is doubling the class size to 20 students this year.
“I thought that there are some children out there that don’t get the opportunity to dance,” she said, explaining the reason she began offering the summer sessions.
Last year, Parker sent out letters to schools and churches requesting sponsors to pay for a child. The summer prices are half the cost of regular classes. The response was successful.
Dance Expressions in Kinston donated a large box of dance shoes that were overstocked or on clearance. Parker said she will be using those again, and the dance supply store hopes to donate leotards this year.
She is asking again for sponsors to donate the $85 cost for 14 lessons so a less fortunate child can participate in dance classes they wouldn’t likely otherwise be able to take.
“They learn a variety of styles of dance,” Parker said about the students.
Last year’s students didn’t take the lessons for granted, she said. They weren’t doing it because their mothers or friends had urged them, but because they wanted to take them, she added.
Parker said, when she told the class they would need to do their push-ups at home, one little girl said, “I’m doing mine now.” The rest followed in suit.
“Their energy was there because they were excited,” Parker said.
Art, whether it’s dance, music, theater or crafting items, releases excess emotions and stress, she said.
“People don’t understand how important it is educationally, psychologically and physically,” she said about the arts. “… The music makes you feel a certain way and you are able to release those emotions.”
In fact, Parker plays different types of music and talks to the children about how it expresses those feelings of happiness or sadness.
Lauren Edwards, 18, a regular dance student, said she has been dancing at the studio since she was 4 years old.
“It’s a feeling of relief,” she said about dancing. “I come here to relieve all that stress from school.”
In last year’s class, the students started out a little reserved, but quickly became excited about learning to dance.
“There were a couple that came in that were very enthusiastic,” Parker said, “and I think they had some natural talent.”
There was also a boy who watched intently as his sister danced. Parker invited him to join the group, telling him the exercise would help him limber up for sports.
“He struggled, but he enjoyed it,” she said.
By the end of seven weeks, the “I can’ts” had dissipated.
Alyssia Howard, a sixth-grade regular student, will be back again this year to help mentor the summer students.
Students are selected through area schools based on need. No transportation is provided. Classes begin June 25 and run for seven weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Anyone, including businesses, churches and individuals, can donate by calling 252-521-3399.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
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To pay for a needy child’s dance lessons, business, churches and individuals can donate by calling 252-521-3399