Dancing is not a sport, its an art just ask the kids

Hugh McMillan

Special to the Gateway

Harbor Conservatory of Dance studio has 24 girls ranging in age from 8 to 15 who recently performed at the New York City Dance Alliance Competition in Portland, Ore.

“What they have in common is a passion for this art form, a proven work ethic and incredible energy,” owner Angie Sabo said. “They started from scratch three years ago and were basically beginners with little to no real training.

“They have been blessed with two powerfully motivational and talented instructors, Giselle Lorenz and Christy McNiel Dobson.”

Dancing is a way Gig Harbor High School student Alyssa Blas expresses herself.

“I dance for a purpose, and that is to make others happy,” said Blas, 15. “When I dance, I am putting all of my heart into it and having an amazing time. I want to leave the stage and know that I did my best, and that’s all that matters.”

Thanks to an invitation from Sabo, Blas and other members of the class shared one of their dance practice sessions with me a few days ago. What an honor and what a surprise. The conservatory is on Kimball Drive, and I hadn’t heard of it until my visit.

For Chloe Sabo, a sixth-grader at Harbor Ridge Middle School, dancing has become more than a hobby.

“Dancing for me is a way of life,” she said. “I feel as if, when I dance, you can bring any emotion into it — whether you are having a bad day or a good day. Dancing is my life.”

Her schoolmate, Nickee Daugherty, agreed: “I dance because it’s my passion,” she said. “Dance is something I enjoy, but also I’ve become accustomed to. If I didn’t dance, I don’t have the slightest clue of what I would be doing right now. Once I accomplish a dance step, it’s nice knowing that I had worked so hard for it.”

Katherine Daugherty, 9, said she loves to dance because she gets a lot out of it.

“When you’re watching the teachers and when you go to competition, you learn so much; you become a better dancer,” she said. “I love it.”

Dobson’s credentials as a lead instructor include experience at the BFA Cornish College of the Arts. She is a Kreielsheimer Scholar and gained an Outstanding Dance Major Award. She choreographed for the Cornish Dance Theatre, Interweave Dance Theatre, ARC Ballet, En L’air Dance, Taproot Theatre, Theater Schmeater, and Shoreline and Bellevue community colleges.

“I love working with the performing group,” Dobson said. “They are the most talented, polite, hard-working and funny group of girls I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. I look forward to my Wednesdays and Fridays, knowing I will get to work with these awesome girls.

“I was very proud of their accomplishments at our first convention and competition, and I’m looking forward to the rest of my year with them.”

That’s quite a statement coming from someone with her experience who has also demonstrated her skills aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

Dobson projected her enthusiasm well as she put the girls through their strenuous paces during my visit. And the girls reflected it.

I didn’t see a grump in the lot of them. What a cheerful, exuberant, happy, dedicated crew they were.

Makena Nelson, a fifth-grade student at Minter Creek Elementary, loves dancing because it gets her going.

“I get to meet new people,” she said. “I like the challenge of learning new things and making up dances myself using the moves I’ve learned in my classes and with the team.

“I’ve been dancing since before I could walk, even though I didn’t start taking classes until last August.”

Catherine Roberts of St. Charles School said dancing isn’t a sport.

“It’s an art, and a hard one at that,” she said. “It’s something that no one can take away from you. It’s a challenge, and (it’s) different from other after-school activities.”

Angie Sabo said she sees older dancers helping younger ones each day.

“We attend competitions, which are overwhelming in size and competitiveness,” she said. “I witness my girls growing together in both dance technique and stage presence and life skills, like poise under pressure and continuing on even when sore and exhausted. Quite an accomplishment for any of them, especially an 8-year-old.

“I am so proud of what these young ladies have accomplished over the last three years.”

Sabo added that the “marvelous parent group” deserves kudos for many hours of support.

“It’s amazing to see parents being happy for children other than their own,” she said. “We see it often.”

For more information on the Harbor Conservatory of Dance, visit www.harborconservatory.com.

Hugh McMillan is a longtime freelance writer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-884-3319.