The Art of Movement

Inspires Passion & Confidence for 54 Years

By Casey Nixon | Director, Membership & Business Development

Operating for 54 years is a long time in any industry. But for a staple organization like Dance It Forward, the years have been an opportunity to create a legacy of influence and inspiration in York County’s arts community.

Dance It Forward, originally called Shana Garling’s School of Ballet and more recently known as Greater York Dance and Greater York Youth Ballet, has helped to shape the dance community in York for more than half a century, and they have no plans of stopping anytime soon.

Opening its doors as a small studio in Mount Wolf, Dance It Forward has grown over the decades, bringing them to their current location in East York with 9,000 square feet of muchneeded space for artistic expression.

“We are now in our third generation of growth—a legacy that began with my mother, Shana Garling, who founded this organization,” shared Lori Garling. “Today, I am honored to serve as CEO, and now my daughter, Pastelle, is carrying the torch as a professional dancer and educator, with dreams and goals that will continue to keep York County dancing for years to come.”

With deep roots in the York arts community, Dance It Forward has put on performances that have become annual traditions for York Countians, most notably The Nutcracker Ballet. This Christmas-time performance, held at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, was offered to Greater York Youth Ballet in 1999. This past Christmas marks their 26th year performing to a nearly sold-out audience.

Aside from standout performances over the decades in York, the team at Dance It Forward has taken their students to perform across the United States, from Boston to Disney World. These performances are intentionally not competitive but rather a way for their students to express themselves and find joy in dance. Lori and her team believe the negative aspects that come along with many dance competitions overshadow the valuable experiences for young dancers.

“At Dance It Forward, we believe that dance isn’t just something you do—it’s something you live. Dance Your Life is our tagline that encourages dancers to embrace movement as a way of expressing their passion, confidence, and personal journey,” Lori says. “Dance is a force for positive change, both in individual lives and across communities. It is a universal language for all people. It changes lives!”

Serving the South Central PA region, Dance It Forward offers around 75 classes each week for students of all ages, from 18 months through adulthood. With classes teaching various styles of dance from Ballet and Modern, to Pom Squad and Cheer to Cirque, Lori and her team are continuously growing to ensure their students have ample opportunity for creative expression. Most recently, they’ve formed an Adult Contemporary Dance Company to provide a creative outlet for adult dancers.

Across all age groups, Lori and the Dance It Forward team aim to enable their students to grow, learn, and become empowered through connections to dance.

Ready to step into your dance journey? Try out a free class at Dance It Forward today!

3524 E Market St, York, PA 17402 | danceitforward.dance