COME BE A STAR – ON YOUR TOES

“It’s like getting a great workout and feeling like a rock star all at the same time,” explained Director Sandi Bearman, who opened her doors at 2604 Lower Huntington Road twenty years ago. Her dance studio, called Dance Ltd. brought to the Waynedale community tap, jazz and ballet. Over the past 20 years changes have evolved in the study of dance and she now includes clogging, pointe, and hip hop styles.

Over 250 students attend classes and are taught by Dance Ltd.’s artistic staff which includes: Sharon White, Jennie French, and Donna McCrea, as well as, 6 assistant teachers. Beginner to advance level is taught in all styles. The school accepts students as young as 3 years of age through adult.

Three Slater girls, Cayley-12, Connor-10, and Courtney-10, each at a different level in their dance, have been “tapping since they can remember.” “And they are not kidding,” says grandmother Pat Schroeder, who is a great supporter for these girls. “These girls have all been dancing at Dance Ltd. since they were three years old.” Cayley and twins, Connor and Courtney travel from the Aboite area to attend dance school in Waynedale.

“Being a dancer is just as physically demanding at times as sports that are considered “masculine,” like football,” explained Sandi. “Dancing requires not only strength and physical fitness, but mental strength and discipline as well. You have to be on your toes and be willing to be flexible to be a dancer.” For 3-year old dancers, Bearman recommends that they take one class which last 1/2 hour. For more advanced dancers, like Connor and Courtney Slater, they can take all 5 classes. Yes, these twins are on their toes! They take tap, jazz, ballet, clogging, and a hip hop class. And they can’t wait to take pointe. But the age requirement for pointe class is 13, unless you are physically done growing and are in the intermediate/advanced ballet level.

The fall session of Dance Ltd. will begin the week of August 29. If you would like to meet Director Bearman and her staff please stop by for a visit during their open house that is scheduled for Tuesday, August 16, from 2pm-7pm.