By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Dance Arts Center celebrates 40 years of teaching dance to students this weekend at the historic Missouri Theatre.
During its annual dance recital, on Friday and Saturday, the studio will celebrate its 40th season, welcoming back several alumni during the final performances of the weekend.
Owner Marla Heeler, whose owned the studio for 21 years, says it's amazing it's been 40 years and adds that even now things feel like they did when she was a student
"When we go to the Missouri Theatre, Frank Pollock is still there, and Frank Pollock was there when I was a kid and I love him so much, and I love the theatre so much," Heeler says on the KFEQmunnity show. "And there are smells people talk about, and when you walk in the theatre in the spring, you know it's recital, and I still have that same excitement of going in the theatre and getting it ready and watching the kids come in."
Heeler took over the studio in 2004, from founder Lynn Fankhauser, who opened the studio in 1984.
Heeler says she believes the legacy of the studio is teaching students to be good humans, more than good dancers
"Being involved in the community, trying to make a difference, trying to teach kids that it's ok to have hard conversations," Heeler explains.
Heeler says it's also the value of teaching students the value of hard work, and persistence, with students practicing nine months before ever performing
"Not many things in life do you still have to wait that long for it seems like in this instant gratification world, and I'm so proud of instilling that discipline in them and being a part of their life and all that," Heeler says.
A free performance will be held on Friday at the Missouri Theatre at 6:30, featuring Dance Arts high school seniors among others.
On Saturday, three performances will be held at the theatre, at 10am, 2pm, and 6pm.
Several alumni will perform during the final performance of the weekend, kicking off the show with the performance 'Legacy in Motion: 40 years of Dance'
Heeler, an alumnus herself who will perform, says she was blown away by how many former students signed up to come back
"I believe that as of right now, like 60 to 70 have responded that they will be coming back, which I think is amazing, and I'm so excited," Heeler says. "We'll have a rehearsal after the 10'o clock show actually at the theatre on Saturday, and I hope we actually get time to rehearse because I'm just so excited to get to see them all."
Tickets are still available and can be purchased online or at the doors of the Missouri Theatre.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.