McDonald says she hopes her
students take away a feeling of
empowerment and fulfillment from
dance as well as a positive body
image. “We try to work tirelessly
to create that so that dance is that
beautiful positive experience (and)
when children leave they just feel
good about who they are,” she says.

“That is the most important thing.”
studio.The program has been run-
ning for nearly 20 years.

In addition to their annual recital
and competition teams, Dawn
Crafton Dance Connection also has a
performance troop that holds shows
in the community sp others can see
the joy of dance.

One group that has experienced
a growing interest in dance is boys.

Many local dance studios have seen
an increase in boys participating in
A Gateway to the Arts
dance, which was once seen as more
Koonce finds dance unique in how it
of a sport for girls.

connects many different art forms.

Welch has older male students
Welch, too, sees dance as a gateway
who have gone on to dance in col-
to a passion for these art forms in
lege, with one receiving $100,000 in
her students.

scholarships and another now get-
“In my opinion, I feel like dance is
ting ready to graduate and pursue
the interpretation of music,” Koonce
dance professionally.

says. “I feel like dance connects all
“I am getting more and more boys,
of the (arts). It is visual. It is musi-
and it is so exciting for us to see,” she
cal. It is physical. It is everything…For
says. “The boys just bring a whole
me, it helps foster a connection to all
different dynamic to class.”
the senses.”
Adrenaline Studio has one of the
Many children develop a love of
largest dance programs for boys in
rhythm and of feeling the music,
the area, including having all-boy
Welch has noticed, which translates
and co-ed teams on different levels.

to a majority of her students partici-
Koonce uses neutral green, black, gray and white studio colors in her
pating in school activities such as band or chorus.

“I think it just cultivates a lot of their passion for the arts,” she studio, as well as a lightning bolt symbol.

“I’ve learned how to create an environment where it feels safe and
says. “It spills over into a lot of different parts of the arts.”
To reach students who might not have had an opportunity to encouraging to boys,” she says. “I feel like that has really helped and
explore the arts, Adrenaline Studio has an afterschool community fostered the growth.” T
outreach program in which classes are taught in schools and com-
To find out more about the opportunities offered at these local studios, visit
munity centers.

Koonce says many kids will reach out afterward about joining the bellaballetdance.com, adrenalinestudionova.com and dcdcdance.com.

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