Young dancers learn about discipline, teamwork and more
By Denice Rovira Hazlett
January 18, 2016
787
It was almost showtime and the trio was preparing to take the stage. They had rehearsed their routine for months and were ready to show the judges what they could do. But as the other dancers donned their matching purple and silver ensembles, Christle Rodhe made a disappointing discovery; her daughter Mattisons costume was not there. It was still hanging in their room at the hotel.
I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown, Christle Rodhe said. I immediately ran to my husband and told him he had to go back and get it.
So John Rodhe hurried out the door in a race against the clock. The girls were to go on in 30 minutes, and the hotel was 15 minutes away.
Tamala Taylor owns and operates The Academy of Dance in Wooster, offering classes for ages 3 though adult in ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatic, modern, hip-hop and baton twirling. Throughout her 24 years of teaching, Taylor has seen many scenarios like the one the Rodhe family encountered at the Ohio Dance Masters competition in Dayton this past Nov. 20-22. To Taylor, its all part of the experience. She knows this is about more than moving your feet. Its about discipline, organization, problem-solving, and, maybe most importantly, teamwork.
Dance competitions are good opportunities for my students, Taylor said. I try to encourage competition because it helps later in life when students present speeches, attend job interviews and work with others. Its not just about the dance. Its about social etiquette, having a good time, and making new friends.
In spite of forgotten outfits and last-minute mayhem, the competitors who represented the Academy of Dance in 34 different numbers in Dayton did well, bringing home several high golds and golds. Mattison, 11, of Smithville, placed fourth in her age division, while her brother, Mason, 8, tied for first place overall in his.
It was Masons first competition, Christle Rodhe says. and he wasnt nervous or afraid. You would have thought he had competed hundreds of times.
Mason will go on to vie for Master Dance in the tap category during the Title Competition Feb. 5-7, 2016, in Newark, Ohio. His piece, Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile, from the musical Annie, was choreographed by Taylor.
This will be his first time competing in a solo division, Taylor said. All title competitors go through an interview process and scholarship audition to qualify through a points system.
Mattison will compete in the junior division with her contemporary piece Maybe, also from Annie, choreographed by Allison Urban of Novelty, Ohio.
Also competing in the junior division will be Emmalai Wengerd, 11, daughter of Michelle and Mark Wengerd of Fredericksburg, with the contemporary piece Mulan, choreographed by Taylor. Alicia Kunkler, 13, daughter of Jackie and Mike Kunkler of Wooster, will compete in the teen division with the tap number On the Dance Floor, choreographed by Rachil Reynolds of Millersburg.
If a dancer wins in their age bracket, they can then compete at the 132nd Dance Masters of America National Convention to be held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee July 3-9, 2016.
Madelyn Gumber, 17, is Tamala Taylors assistant two days a week and has been dancing with Taylor since she was four. Madelyn Gumber will participate in the Dance Masters competition in Cleveland on March 18-20, 2016, with a solo, quartet, trio and group dances. Her mom, Jody Gumber, says dancing is her daughters happy place.
It give her confidence and coordination, Jody Gumber said. Thats where she feels most at home.
Jody Gumber said they all strive to be there for each dancer. For the Dayton event, Madelyn Gumber didnt compete until Saturday, but they made a point to arrive on Friday to support the younger kids, cheer for them and give them encouragement. They all work hard to get there, she says, and theyre dedicated to what they do, giving up family time, birthday parties, and vacations to spend time at the studio. Many started last summer learning and perfecting their numbers. Younger children like Mason practice answering interview questions about their favorite activities, what their favorite subject is in school, and how the dance helped them.
I think dance, whether you compete, go professional or whatever else you do with it, is a way for kids to gain confidence, Taylor said. Thats what I hope to promote in all the dancers.
And while dancing has been proven to improve memory, reduce cardiovascular disease and stress, increase flexibility and combat depression, improving confidence is exactly why parents like Christle Rodhe enroll their children in classes.
The greatest thing Mattison has taken away from this is self-confidence, Christle Rodhe said. She has always been shy and quiet. But theres something about dance that gives her an inner strength. I dont know what kind of little person she would have been without it.
The other thing that keeps kids dancing is the people.
Christle Rodhe thought back on that November day when she realized Mattisons costume was still lounging around in the hotel room. She knew it wouldnt arrive in time and was sure Mattison would be heartbroken; instead, her daughter comforted her mom and assured her it was going to be okay.
The best part was how all the other parents and kids immediately started digging through their bags, Christle Rodhe said. They came together. I couldnt believe the support.
When anything like that happens, Jody Gumber said, the rest of the moms spring into action. If I have something in my bag another girl needs, I hand it over. If we can help, we all jump in and help.
Tamala Taylor told her that this was what memories are made of, and, with some teamwork, theyd all get through it.
One person handed Mattison a hat. Another gave her a bow. Before long, the young dancer was decked out in a sweet silver and purple costume that complimented the others.
They act like little professionals, Jody Gumber said. She went out there and did the dance like nothing happened.
It wasnt until Christle Rodhe heard the comments that she knew they had succeeded.
One of the judges said, Oh my goodness, I love the costumes, Christle Rodhe said with a laugh.
Its moments like this that keep the Rodhe kids swinging, swaying, stepping and spinning. Their commitment to the discipline means so much more than simply attending practices.
Its so much more than dance, Christle Rodhe said. For us, its a family.
