Brent and Erin Menke stand inside their new building (previously Sisco) on 4th street which will soon to be home to their Superior Dance Studio. Open house for dancers and their parents is expected before their open date Aug. 19.
"Dance the night away!" That's what the children do at their dance recitals held at the Superior Auditorium lead by instructor Erin Menke. Classes in preparation for recitals have been held at the auditorium for the past few years, but will be relocating to a building around the corner.
Erin and her husband, Brent, recently purchased the old Sisco store on 4th Street and plan to operate the Superior Dance Studio from there. They are in process of remodeling it. Walls are set up to create a waiting area for parents in the front. Off to the left side two bathrooms are being added. Sheet rock is applied to existing walls and soon those horizontal handrails will be held by little hands. The Menkes' goal is to open at their new location on Aug. 19.
Dance classes for boys and girls will be offered year-long at the new location. Children ages two-years through kindergarten can enjoy beginning ballet and tap dance. Ballet, tap and jazz dance are for older students in first grade and up. The second group can dance to their hearts content by choosing to add on additional classes such as hip hop, lyrical, clogging and pom.
Dance training helps in other areas of a person's life besides the fun of pirouetting and shimmying across the dance floor or stage. Doing stretches at the barre helps to build physical stability in the individual. Training also assists in young people learn to perform before audiences and overcome stage fright and bashfulness. "Dancing helped bring me out of my shell," said Erin.
At age four, Erin began taking dance in her home town in Blair. Dance prepared her for performing in front of audiences while she was in choir in school. She thoroughly enjoyed performing and pursued it further in college.
In 2008, Erin attended Northwest Missouri State University and continued to take dance classes there. Between 2009 and 2013 Erin taught dance classes part-time while finishing up her courses. She graduated with a business degree and then relocated to Nelson. Later, Erin opened dance classes in Superior and three years later, is embarking on having her own studio.
Prior to opening for business in August at their new location, Erin and Brent will host an open house for parents and dancers to see the new studio. Erin added that recitals will continue to be performed at the Superior Auditorium. Erin delights in observing the children's growth and excitement in the classes. The dedication of the children and their parental support makes it a joyous occasion for Erin throughout the year and at performances. "I like to take what we have learned all year and perform." said Erin.
Superior Dance Studio can be found on Facebook and at superiordance studio.com for more details.
Reader Comments(0)