Take 240 dance students ages 4 to 60-plus with varying degrees of experience, add the need to choreograph more than 30 dance numbers for an end-of-the-year recital at the Majestic Theatre, and you have the makings of a major headache.
But after nearly 30 years of dance school experience, Cherrilane Blackburn manages to pull everything together with a little time to spare. And that’s why Cherrilane School of Dance, housed in the Lakewood Shopping Center for 13 years, has become a virtual neighborhood institution.
Thousands of girls, boys and adults have learned tap, jazz and ballet in its second-floor studios.
Kids may think they are there just to learn to dance, but Cherrilane says she also has other goals in mind. Only a tiny fraction of the children who take dance lessons go on to become professional performers, but every student can learn something that will stick with them for life, she says.
Take the annual recital, which took place last month Downtown at the Majestic.
“I want the kids to have more of a theatrical experience than just going to a school auditorium to perform,” Cherrilane says.
“That’s why I use the Majestic. Just being there, seeing what goes on backstage and being involved in the production helps give them an appreciation for theater events.”
Then there are the classes, the countless repetitions of steps, learning to keep time with a beat, and synchronizing the movements of a group of performers.
“Dance teaches so many things,” Cherrilane says. “Students learn something about math, coordination, music, dance steps and terminology, theatricality and self-confidence.”
She also tries to instill a dedication to excellence and a willingness to try new things. Each year, for example, dance students graduating from high school are given the opportunity to choreograph a dance for their class to perform at the recital.
Kelley Pittman, a former student who has returned to the studio as an assistant, says she enjoyed that experience last year.
“The learning process is one of the things I’ve come to love most about dance,” Pittman says. She took dance from Cherrilane for 12 years before graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1996 and going on to attend Richland College.
“Dance keeps you in shape, for one thing, and it teaches discipline,” Pittman says. “You learn about music, coordination, posture and basic grace, which can help you in other activities. I was a cheerleader in high school, and dance definitely helped me with that.”
Other area residents say they also have enjoyed learning about dance. When they sign up for their first class, many people have no expectations of becoming long-term students, but soon they discover that it can be fun.
Members of the Millard family of East Dallas certainly have dance in common this year. Mom Silvi Millard has been in Cherrilane’s adult class for three years; son Taylor, 17, began taking lessons this year; and daughters Bonnie, 14, and Marion, 10, have been taking lessons there since age 3.
They have experienced the challenge of learning new steps, the joy of getting through a song without a misstep and the excitement of performing in costume in front of several hundred friends, relatives and neighbors.
“I didn’t take dance lessons when I was a child, and I’ve been sorry about that, so I very much enjoy dance classes now,” Silvi Millard says.
“Cherrilane works us hard, really teaches us and expects a lot from us. It’s been a lot of fun.”
KIDS CALENDAR
Library Activities: The Skillman Southwestern Branch of the Dallas Public Library, 5707 Skillman, offers a full slate of children’s and teenager’s activities this month. Tuesday is storytime day at the library with Toddler Time at 10 a.m. for children 18-36 months, and three sessions for preschoolers at 10:40 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Children are invited to bring their favorite teddy bear for the Teddy Bear’s Picnic June 4 at 2:30 p.m. On June 11 at 2:30 p.m., Pizza Hut and Young Audiences of Greater Dallas will sponsor Afrikan Storytelling with Melody Bell. Space is limited; pre-registration is required. A program about percussion instruments for children three and older will be presented June 18 at 2:30 p.m. by Mark Shelton. Regular library hours are: Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday and Sunday, closed. For information, call 214-670-6078.
Dallas Children’s Theater: The Dallas Children’s Theater presents J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan.” Showtimes are June 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 7:30 p.m.; June 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 1:30 p.m.; June 8, 15, 22 & 29 at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.; June 5, 10, 11, 12, 17-19 & 24-26 at 10 a.m. All performances are held at the El Centro College Theater, Main and Market streets Downtown near the West End. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children. For reservations and ticket information, call 214-978-0110.
Summer Reading Challenge: The Skillman Southwestern Branch of the Dallas Public Library, 5707 Skillman, presents the 1997 Summer Reading Challenge, May 24-July 28. The theme for the challenge is The Incredible Dream Machine. Participants are instructed to register at the library and keep track of the number of hours spent reading or being read to. Prizes are given for every five hours read, up to 30 hours. Prizes include books, t-shirts and tickets to the Dallas Children’s Theater. Sign up anytime. For information, call 214-670-6078.
