Dance recital reflects celebration of student achievements

  • May 29, 2010
  • 487
                        
By Doris Wilson Little girls line up, butterflies dancing in sequined covered stomachs. Bigger girls lean over to check everyone’s feet for untied shoes. Confident that their small charges are ready, the older and more experienced girls go over complicated steps in their heads, wait for the music to start and proceed onto the stage with poise and confidence. And so begins another dance recital, a display of beauty, grace and personal achievement. For more than 25 years Jenyce Wise, owner of Jenyce’s School of Dance, has stood behind the scenes during these recitals. With second generation students now on stage, Wise has stood behind and beside many of the anxious parents in the seats of the theater, watching the sometimes timid or stubborn beginners that have transformed into graceful and talented performers. Wise has watched with pride as trophy after trophy has been won by her dance students. She has also watched with sympathy and pain as steps have been forgotten and bones sometimes broken over the years. At age three, Wise began her own career as a dancer and later as a teacher. She became a helper for her dance teacher in high school and graduated from the University of Akron with a degree in Dance. The decision to open her own dance school was a venture into the unknown and a personal challenge while raising two girls and working in a factory. She purchased the former Millersburg Tire building, quit the factory and put a dance floor and mirrors in and began to work magic in the lives of local children. For Wise, the desire to teach each individual to shine through dance has become a life long vocation. Wise knows that every child is not destined to be a great dancer, but can carry the lessons and experiences they learn while involved in dance classes with them throughout life. Unlike some dance studios, Wise allows her students to be involved in other athletic pursuits such as soccer and cheerleading, realizing that the pupil will benefit from both. Students are encouraged to choose what they want to do and to make decisions that make sense to them. With students from her class winning competitions such as Petite Miss Dance of Ohio and acceptance to Ashland University’s Dance Team, Wise has seen students combine their dance skills on and off the stage to gain personal goals and satisfaction. Every year Wise sees nervous students arrive and knows the fear and trepidation that can accompany those little girls or boys when they realize what they will be learning to do. Wise has witnessed again and again the transformations that take place through time with practice and encouragement. From the beginning there is firm support and a strong foundation laid in place for when the time comes for that trembling solo on stage that everyone will perform. From the dance team that wins every competition and becomes secure in their triumph and unexpectedly must deal with defeat with a gracious smile, to the chubby, shy five-year-old that will over the years become confident and secure in her abilities to gracefully dance onstage and win competitions, Wise has seen character and confidence build throughout the years in her students. Many of Wise’s former students share her skills in instruction and become teachers themselves, continuing the tradition of building self esteem and good sportsmanship through dance. This year’s recital will be held June 4-5 at West Holmes High School Theater at 6 p.m. More than 100 students will perform in 50 dance numbers and celebrate their accomplishments in jazz, ballet, gymnastics and more. For information about Jenyce’s School of Dance, call 330-674-2254.


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