Beside the Pointe

The final product may be an art form, but there’s still a lot of science that goes into ballet.

Of that science, a key component is health – something every dancer, young or old, professional or recreational, must keep in mind at all times.

In New Albany, nowhere is that combination of art and science studied more intently than at the New Albany Ballet Company.

The company, located on Forest Drive, opened its doors in 1999. Now it has more than 600 students across its four training divisions – children’s, general, progressive and pre-professional – determined by the student’s age and seriousness. Students may be as young as 2 years old and can remain with the school through high school.

Tara Miller is owner and director at the company. She has a degree in dance from The Ohio State University.

As a New Albany resident, Miller has seen firsthand the community’s commitment to arts and culture. She started out teaching ballet classes at the New Albany Country Club, and later was able to start her own business thanks to the support of a country club patron who believed strongly in Miller’s potential.

Ballet is an activity that employs all the muscles, says Miller, and not only does it keep its practitioners in tip-top shape, it has larger ramifications for their overall health.

“You stay physically fit because you’re in an environment where you’re constantly moving,” she says.

For instance, children who grow up taking ballet lessons end up with better posture, Miller says. They also develop good balance, strong core muscles and a good center of gravity.

Ballet also helps build confidence, respect for artistic expression, a strong work ethic and a desire to maintain a healthy body weight, Miller says.

“Each child understands that ‘skinny’ is not necessarily the right body type,” she says.

And one major benefit for dancers is an intensified awareness of and confidence with one’s body. That helps them maintain a good body image and avoid harmful behavior like drug use or drinking to excess.

“There’s much more of a respect for your body if you grow up in the dance world,” Miller says.