The Enlightened Dance Corp family keeps on growing
By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com
In spite of all the challenges set before them since March, Enlightened Dance Corp (EDC) has managed to keep on dancing. Lindsay Bailey from EDC explained. “We had to shut down our studio completely in March, which was really hard on the dancers. And we were unable to attend any competitions and couldn’t host our year-end recital.”
However the shut down didn’t stop the dancers. “We continued with some online classes and encouraged at-home fitness and activity, running contests to promote physical movement and dance at home,” Lindsay continued. “We enjoyed connecting through an online platform, even when we couldn’t be in class together.”
In September of this year, dance classes resumed once again, with the necessary adjustments being made. Classes are limited to twelve participants, and the studio is cleaned daily with students sanitizing and wiping down barres between classes.
“We’re so thankful for the large space we have to run our studio that allows so much room for our dancers,” Lindsay added. The studio is located at 800 - 12th Avenue East.
Though the dance studio was expecting fewer students this dance season, they were pleasantly surprised. “We actually grew this year by a few students, landing us at 98 students this season,” Lindsay said. ”Our students are like our family, and each member brings something to our team.”
Those sentiments are shared by the people who are a part of EDC. A testimonial by Sherry Bacon on EDC’s facebook page said, “It has been a positive experience to watch my girls’ self confidence grow, in their own way through the people that have surrounded them in their dance groups and through their instructors. We are thankful to call EDC our second home and are glad we have somewhere we feel connected. We feel supported by our ‘family’ in whatever we choose to dream of achieving.”
Included in that family are staff members Shalyn Kennedy, Richelle Ortman, Heather Boisvert, Jensen Reichert, Samantha Roberts as administrative assistant, and Randi Hawking leading the parent committee.
The students range from Tiny Tots (2-3 years) to recreational classes (6-10 years), and the competitive program (6 - 14 years). Classes include acro, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, musical theatre, stretch and strength and yoga.
The one common factor among all the students is their excitement to be back in the studio. “The students have all been so excited to be back! They have all been working hard and challenging themselves to get back to where they were when we left off six months ago,” Lindsay said. “That determination is a great quality to see!”
This dance season, it’s that same determination and hard work that has resulted in Enlightened Dance Corp’s family of dancers growing, in spite of all the hurdles they have faced.
“It brings a lot of joy when you see the kids achieve something they’ve been working hard to get. It’s great seeing them build friendships with each other; we love our EDC family!” Lindsay concluded.
