At Charlene's School of dance, the productions have professional lighting and sound, not to mention pyrotechnics and other show stoppers.
By JOY DAVIS-PLATT
Published June 13, 2003
[Times photo: Maurice Rivenbark]
3-year-old Christopher Richards rehearses for a recital by Charlene's School of Dance.
BROOKSVILLE - When Charlene Harris was growing up, it was tough to get anyone interested in coming to her dance recitals.
"None of my family ever wanted to come see me dance," said Harris, who now owns Charlene's School of Dance in Brooksville. "I decided that when I opened my studio that wouldn't happen."
Her productions have included professional lighting and sound, not to mention pyrotechnics and other show stoppers.
"That's why we work so hard on this," said Harris, who is celebrating her 26th year producing recitals in Hernando County. "We want the best, most professional show we can have."
Despite all the flash and bang, Harris says the real stars of the show are her 50 students, who range in age from 3 to 20.
"Doing a recital gives them the experience of going from nothing to an end product," she said. "I like that challenge."
For Joanne Scianimanico, a lifetime spent in the dance studio has given her the perspective to know what truly makes her happy. After leaving the fold for two years to live in Orlando, the 20-year-old has returned to Hernando and now helps teach at the school and perform in recitals.
"I struggled to get back to where I was before I left, but I'm back now," she said. "This is what I've done my whole life. It's the only thing that really makes me happy."
This year's theme, "For the Love of Dance," is reflected in the names of the dance numbers, like Friends to the End, The Power of Love and A Happy Face.
Since she was 3 years old, Lindsay Crum has performed in the school's annual production. Now 18, she will perform in her last recital before going away to the University of Central Florida.
"It's very intense," said Crum, who dances a combination of jazz and modern to An Indian Enchantment. "The best part is watching all the hard work pay off."
Also one of Harris' students for most of her life, 18-year-old Kerrie Ward says she plans to make dancing her life's pursuit.
"I love it so much. I love dancing and performing and just being around it all the time," Ward said.
One of the studio's youngest dancers followed his two older sisters into the school. Dressed in a long white T-shirt, 3-year-old Christopher Richards has no problem being the show's only male performer.
"He practices right along with the rest of them," said Christopher's father, Dale, who helps out backstage during the rehearsals and recitals. "He loves it."
For Terri Marwood, it is younger performers like Christopher that makes dancing in the recital more interesting.
"Our ladies go to the same studio and dress rehearsals as the kids," said Marwood, who teaches The Tap 'N Dolls, a group of adult women who will perform at the recital. "We're not easy on them just because they're older."
Though the dancers in her group range in age from 28 to 80, Marwood says they all enjoy performing alongside their younger counterparts.
"Some of them will just steal your heart away," she said.
If You Go
WHAT: 26th annual recital for Charlene's School of Dance
WHEN: 7 p.m. today and Saturday
WHERE: Hernando High School Performing Arts Center, 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville.
