The Diversity of Dance

Elite Dance Academy offers a wide range of dance instruction and some of the most famous guest instructors in the world.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 02/04/2009
Having just discussed the declining physical fitness of American kids with a cardiac surgeon, the timing of a phone call from Julie Grabowski was as perfect as a well-choreographed ballet. For many kids, physical activity is limited to finger movements on a Game Boy and the alphanumeric keypads of their mobile phones, the surgeon lamented.

The good news, Julie reported, is that many parents realize the importance of physical activity. Registration at her Elite Dance Academy continues to grow.

“Doctors have told me how important dance and other physical activity is to kids’ health and their ability to heal from injuries,” Julie says. “And there are a lot of other benefits to dance as well, like discipline, confidence and improved self-esteem.”

If you plan to enroll your child in dance classes, you might be interested to know that all studios are not on equal footing. Elite Dance Academy offers dance diversity.

“We have it all,” insists Julie, a former professional dancer who opened Elite 13 years ago. “We’re not just another dance studio.”

Julie promises that Elite, which offers lessons to kids ages two to 18, has something for everyone—ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, acro, leaps-n-turns, pre-pointe, musical theatre and boys’ hip-hop, along with the competitive dance teams and performing companies.

Along with diversity, Elite has remained on the cutting edge of dance instruction, maintaining its reputation by winning numerous awards.

Because of Julie’s stellar reputation, Elite is often able to offer classes from guest instructors like Valery Lantratov, a former principal dancer with the Moscow Stanislavsky and Kremlin Ballets and also a guest artist with Bolsoi. Last fall, he taught a master ballet class to Elite’s dancers. Dancers also took a master class from Ian Liberto, who performed in A Chorus Line while the production was in Cleveland. In November, Elite hosted
“The Movement” dance workshop. Dancers and instructors from Elite, as well as other area studios, took classes from Jesus, Jaime and Dominic from the TV show So You Think You Can Dance.

“It was an exciting day of dance for those in attendance as they were exposed to wonderful choreography from these extremely talented and down-to-earth instructors,” Julie says.

In the last year alone, Elite company members were invited to perform at the Miss Ohio Pageant and company and dance team members performed at Strongsville Homecoming, Johnny Appleseed and during halftime at a Cavs game in front of a packed crowd at the Q.

Along with dance, one lesson Julie likes to give to her students is the opportunity to give back to their community.

“Giving back is very important,” Julie says. “During our annual Dance-A-Thon, we held a food drive for an area food bank. Our company and dance teams also performed for patients and their families at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital at Christmas time.”

Dancers closed out the holiday season with a performance at Brunswick Rec Center’s Christmas Spectacular.
If last year was busy with wonderful opportunities and experiences, Julie plans more of the same this year.

The winter session has just begun and it’s not too late to join in the fun.

Along with themed dance camps and great classes, a new hip-hop group for kids 12 and older will start on Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 8:30.

Elite also offers its unique and popular Mommy-N-Me classes for two and three year olds, and Creative Movements—an introduction to dance program for kids aged three to five.

Dance teams are in place for those who want to participate in outside performances throughout the year. The 2009 dance year will culminate in a Showcase that will allow all students to perform for family and friends. Elite’s next Recital will be held in June, 2010.

Elite’s next dance camp, A Day of Dress Up & Dance, for children ages 4 to 12, will be March 21. To register, visit Elite’s website www.elitedanceofbrunswick.com.

Be sure to mention this article when you sign up for classes to receive half off your first month’s tuition. Elite Dance Academy is located at 1241 Industrial Parkway North, in Brunswick. For more information call 330-273-9421.

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