Thunder Bay is home to dozens of thriving dance studios, all of which are ramping up their new seasons now that we are in the midst of fall.
“Dance helps you build confidence,” says Laura Pascolo McRury, who runs International Dance Academy.
“It helps your posture, it constantly makes you aware of body alignment,” she adds. “It also teaches teamwork and sportsmanship. It has a social component and there have been studies that have shown dance can ward off dementia.”
Dance, like other art forms, is a way to self-express. Students enrolled in dance are encouraged to tap into their creativity, to express their emotions, and to release stress through the practice.
Laura has been dancing since she was 6 years old, and this year marks the special occasion of her 50th year as a certified dance instructor. She opened her own studio in 1982, but she taught elsewhere before that.
Even 50 years in, Laura has no plans to stop dancing or teaching dance.
“I feel like I’m loving it more and more,” she says. “Every single year is a completely different experience. You can never say that you know it all. I’ve always said that if I ever get to the point that I feel I know it all, that’s when I will quit because I will be of no use to anyone.”
For now, Laura is happy to keep learning something new about dance every day.
International Dance Academy offers a wide-variety of classes to all ages, from “2 to 99,” as Laura says.
Another studio owner in town, Rachel Chernosky, feels the same way as Laura about the benefits of getting involved in dance. Rachel, who owns and directs Art in Motion Studio, says that dance “helps young people develop confidence, coordination, musicality, creativity, discipline, and perseverance.”
“One of the things we value most, though, is the sense of belonging that dance can create,” she explains. “Students learn how to work as part of a team, support one another, set goals and celebrate each other’s successes. They build friendships and memories that often last well beyond their years in the studio. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch a child grow not only as a dancer, but as a person.”
Art in Motion offers dance classes for children as young as 12 months, all the way through to graduating dancers. They offer both recreational and competitive programming in a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, and acro.
Art in Motion has also reached a meaningful milestone this year as they are celebrating their 10th season.
“Over the past decade, we’ve had the privilege of watching dancers take their very first class, grow through our programs and, in many cases, graduate after spending much of their childhood at Art in Motion,” says Rachel. “Being able to play even a small part in those years is something we don’t take for granted.”
“Thunder Bay has such a strong and passionate dance community, and we’re very proud to be part of it. As we celebrate 10 years, we’re incredibly grateful to the families who have supported Art in Motion and helped shape our studio into what it is today. We’re excited to continue creating a space where young people can move, create, connect and belong for many years to come.”
