BY ROBIN SHEPHERD

If more people danced, the world would be a healthier, happier and more peaceful place. In South County, you can start as a little tike and still enjoy dancing in your twilight years. Our local dance studios and city recreation departments offer it all – ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop, line dancing and folk dance. Studio instructors include professional and semi-professional dancers whose passion for dance inspires.

You and your kids can dance for fun, fitness, or to pursue dreams of fame. Or, enjoy dance as a spectator at performances throughout the year. Many a ballet fan has had that“ aha moment” when, after seeing a local performance, they vow never again to trek up to San Jose or San Francisco. We’ ve got the best of dance, right here.

PHOTO BY MEMORIES IN MOTION

South Valley Dance Arts( SVDA) is a not-for-profit, dance arts collaborative that offers recreational and competitive programs with instruction from beginner to pre-professional levels, taught by professional and semi-professional dancers.

Instructors Juliet Smith and Tyler Spencer stepped in after SVDA founder Paula Valentine retired. Today, Smith and Tyler are joined by a company of other highly accomplished instructors in ballet as well as Ukrainian, musical theater and liturgical dance.

“ Dance movement is another form of language,” Smith said.“ Our students learn clean and safe techniques, but they also learn to express the artist within,” Smith said.“ There’ s hard work and discipline, and a lot of joy in our dance programs.”

Summer camp programs include pre-ballet( 3 years and up) with storybook themes. Kids learn basic positions and movements and get the experience of dancing in costume. Ballet dancers begin their study in ballet slippers, and at the appropriate time based on age and skill level, they have the opportunity to advance to toe shoes, which allows them to dance“ en pointe,” literally on their toes.

Teenager Maddie Guinn studies ballet and modern dance at SVDA. She just received her pointe shoes a milestone in a young ballerina’ s journey, and she hopes one day to dance as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker ballet.

“ My favorite thing about SVDA is the people. The teachers push you just enough so you can improve. You form friendships with other students, and everyone bands together to pull off a huge performance.”

Participation in the SVDA Junior Company( pre-pointe), and Senior Company( pointe) is by invitation based on ability. Dancers

“ My favorite thing is the people. The teachers push you just enough so you can improve …”

in the 2014-15 Senior Company have received acceptances to the American Ballet Theater, San Fransisco Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem, Kirov and Ballet Magnificat. Others have offered scholarships and acceptances to Santa Clara University, Boston University, Fordham and Juilliard.

Along with ballet, SVDA also offers training in musical theater and something unique – Ukrainian folk dance.

Andrey Shevchuk brings his native heritage to the Ukrainian dance program. Born in Eastern Europe, he has performed in Asia and Europe, where he met his wife and fellow SVDA instructor

Erena Ishii.

“ I never even dreamed of coming to America until I was invited to dance as a guest artist in the Nutcracker in 2013,” Shevchuk said.“ Erena and I fell in love with Juliet and the students at SVDA.“

Ishii, who grew up in Japan and has danced with Ballet San Jose and the Hungarian National Ballet, agreed.“ I’ ve taught all over the Bay Area, and Juliet has a real passion for the profession and for bringing the benefit of dance arts to the community. We work together to bring an authentic experience to all of our students, from instruction to performance and all the elements, the costumes, music and lighting, that go into production.”

“ Juliet wanted a Ukrainian folk dance program, and that’ s when I knew I was meant to be here,” Shevchuk said.“ Ukrainian dance is very energetic and it takes stamina. Students who want to excel in Ukrainian arts need to practice, practice, and practice.”

Throughout the year, SVDA devotes time to community outreach and has performed at charity and educational events locally.

SVDA will stage its annual performance of the Nutcracker on December 5th and 6th at Gavilan College.

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 gmhtoday. com

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