Pointing to the Future

Dance instills students with confidence, poise and presence

STORY BY BREANNA MANLEY & PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER

The art of dance is alive and well in Tallassee and surrounding communities and has easily become one of the most cherished extracurricular activities for all ages. With numerous health and personal benefits obtainable through the art discipline, many choose to dance.

Located in Tallassee, The Pointed Toe offers numerous dance classes for students to choose from. The current owner, Jade Snell, grew up learning to dance in the studio and loves seeing what dance does for her students.

“It teaches self-confidence, social skills, selfexpression. Dance is way more than just choreography. Dance is an outlet to let students express themselves in a way like no other. Dance is all about selfconfidence. It helps them become proud of what they stand for,” Snell explained.

There are many different forms of dance to explore. The Pointed Toe offerss classes for jazz, ballet, tap, baton, point, hip-hop and gymnastics – all of which take a high level of dedication.

“Dance relies heavily on a strong work ethic. It just builds up their self-confidence, makes them proud of who they are. I love seeing them become comfortable with their bodies and self-images. It’s an emotional thing, too, not just a skill where you’re looking at your body. It’s showing the emotion of the point you’re trying to get across,” Snell said.

Though one of the biggest benefits of dance is building self-image and learning a skill, a number of recent studies have shown that dance improves physical and mental health.

According to a study produced by The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing can improve cognitive skills by helping to boost memory. With the constant influx of choreography steps a dancer learns, the mind works on its memory in response. Dance is also known to improve the brain’s organizing and planning skills.

Another study produced by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine praises dance as an outlet for those of all ages to improve cardiovascular health. The source concluded that moderate-intensity dancing is linked to a reduced risk in cardiovascular disease.

The Osteoporosis Foundation found that exercise, including dance, could even aid in improving and maintaining bone density. Dancing, which is considered a weight-bearing exercise, helps with building up the bones and keeps them strong.

As Snell said, the emotional benefits of dancing are seemingly endless. Dancing helps with self-image and has been shown to combat depression and other mental health issues. It also improves mood and attitude just by the interaction of attending a dance class or competing in a dance competition.

As students continue throughout the dance classes offered at The Pointed Toe, they could absorb even more dance time and experience by joining the company’s competition dance team or the Golden Girls, which is a twirling competition team. Both teams compete and showcase their talents at several events throughout the year.

Through dance, friendships and connections are oftentimes made between the students, their families and their instructors. With such a tightknit bond necessary to pull together choreography, those involved tend to get close to one another.

Instructors at The Pointed Toe teach students from 2 to 18 years old, but dancing isn’t just for those under the age of 18.

Located in Wetumpka, Tammy’s Academy of Dance serves as the perfect place for older residents to enjoy dancing. Tammy’s welcomes all and encourages those who wish to participate. They offer tap, jazz and ballet classes for adults through three different types of programs: adult performance level; adult non-performance level; and adult ballet, which is a technique-only class with no choreography and no performances.

To register and learn more information about the different classes available for adults at Tammy’s, visit tammysacademyofdance.net.

With so many benefits of dancing, it may be time to dust off your old tap shoes and put on those tights. Do a little jig, and experience the exhilarating art of dance.