Dance, study
and dance some more

The banner hanging in the mirrored room says it all- “Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.”

Martha Graham would be proud of the students at Lakeshore High School studying dance in its truest forms.

Like a scene from the movie “Fame,” a dozen beginning dance students practice steps as they conclude their first course of ballet study.

Frannie Rosenberg, their teacher, is thrilled to have such as enthusiastic group of students for the first course offered in dance study in the parish, at Lakeshore High School.

Before the students began “studio” time, they learned the history of ballet, including such great performers as Rudolf Nureyev, Margot Fonteyn, and of course, the classic ballet, “The Nutcracker.”

Some of the students have had ballet class, but many have not. The purpose of the class is not to become a prima ballerina, but to acquire an appreciation of each genre of dance that will be studied during the year.

The first week of the studio class, they studied technique and form, the second week, choreography.

Rosenberg said that she hopes the pilot course will become a multi-tiered program encompassing more than two years of study. This year, the advanced class consists of three students from other schools, juniors and/or seniors, but she is hoping the program will grow. This year two students are commuting from Mandeville High and one from Fontainebleau High School for the advanced class. Audition for the class is not necessary.

Currently, the beginning class is comprised of freshman and sophomores at Lakeshore.

During the year, they will study many forms and genres of dance including hip-hop, jazz, tap and others, including the work of legendary choreographer Bob Fossé.

Rosenberg said that to be able to sit through a ballet and understand what it takes in strength, flexibility and physical endurance for the performers to execute the steps they use, and obtaining an appreciation for them, is one goal of the course.

The ballet studio segment was only eight days long because of the Labor Day holiday and a shortened day for the Titans’ first pep rally. However, Kathleen Apetrei, the guest teacher for the ballet studio segment, was very impressed with the girls’ progress in such a short period of time.

“Make sure the first step is right and the pose is right,” she told the class as they prepared for their number from “The Nutcracker.” The dance number will be just one part of the class’ winter dance concert in December.

Apetrei said one thing that stood out for the class was the individual students eagerness to attempt new things they had not done before. Their willingness was accompanied by an eagerness and enthusiasm to learn. “I’m introducing them to the Russian method,” she said.

Rosenberg said the class has been a joy to teach because of the students. “They really want to be here — they are so enthusiastic,” she said. She added that just to introduce different forms of dance to the students is very rewarding.

The studio was built with the barres attached to the walls and mirrors available everywhere you look, to check your dance moves. The floor is special as well, allowing movement when the students dance.

And dance they do. From first position to jete’, grand battement and arabesque, even students who a month ago knew nothing about ballet, seemed to thrive on every move they made.