BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Dance camp for everyone

By Ellie Carlin, age 15 | March 1, 2019

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JUST DANCE Ellie Carlin, a sophomore at Carnegie Vanguard High School, helped start a free dance camp that is expanding this year. Here, last year’s students are pictured with teachers Abby Sode, Ellie, Miriam and Evelyn Fung.

Last summer, we decided to take action to make a difference and help others take part in their unfulfilled passions. As dancers, we have met many students who are no longer able to dance because of financial strain. Along with other dancers attending Carnegie Vanguard High School, we were able to found a charitable camp for children in the Houston area who have a fondness for dance.

With the help of longtime dancers Shelby Colvin, who teaches technique, and Evelyn Fung, an expert in ballet, we were able to teach the fundamentals of dance, including an arrangement of other styles like African and Asian dance, hip-hop, and musical theater.

The main goal of the camp was to provide access to the underprivileged Houston community. We tried to reach students who are underrepresented in the dance world due to class affordability, availability or lack of exposure to the arts in schools or communities. We wanted to find children close by, so they would be able to attend and get the full extent of their dance education by coming to class every day.

We made a great effort to get the word out by using social media such as Instagram and Twitter, creating a website, and leaving flyers in local restaurants. More than 20 kids, ranging from ages from 4 to 17, showed up for the summer camp. We were all so ecstatic to see the kids making new friends through a shared passion. To know that these kids were getting an education that they previously weren’t able to obtain made us so happy.

When we first thought of the idea, we were really nervous. A quote by Coretta Scott King stuck with us: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” This idea stuck with us through the end of the camp. I am so grateful to all the amazing people that showed up and worked hard and helped me fulfill the point of this quote.

This year, we are so excited to expand our horizons. For this summer, we are partnering with St. Luke's Methodist of Gethsemane Church and Sonia’s Dance Studio. For more information, see myinspirationdance.weebly.com.

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