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New Dancing Group to Take the Stage: ARCC Dance Exploration, Other Classes Culminate With Recital

Posted on: Wednesday, 24 May 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Scott Waltman, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

May 23--A group of dancers who might not otherwise get to perform will take the stage tonight thanks to two new Aberdeen Recreation and Cultural Center classes.

Molly Taylor teaches creative dance and dance exploration at the ARCC. Both classes are for people with disabilities. Creative dance focuses on stretching, coordination and basic dance moves. Dance exploration is more advanced and culminates with a recital.

The recital for Taylor's four dance exploration students is at 6:30 tonight. In all, a few hundred dancers will take part in 46 numbers during the ARCC's annual recital. Taylor's students perform tonight only, while other acts will also take the stage Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Grace and Bethany Latterell say they've never had the chance to dance in front of an audience, so they're excited about the recital. Grace is 16 and Bethany is 13. Classes and rehearsals have been a lot of fun, they said.

"The parents have been thrilled with the progress they've made, and (the kids are) absolutely ecstatic that they get to be in the recital this year," Taylor said.

Aside from the Latterell girls, the other dancers in creative dance and dance exploration are Letitia Smith, 13, and Whitney Rauscher, 9.

Barb Latterell, mother of Grace and Bethany Latterell, mentioned to Taylor that it'd be nice to have dance classes for kids with disabilities. That was last year. Now, knowing her daughters are going to be in a recital sparks a host of emotions ranging from excitement to fear, Barb Latterell said.

So far, the classes have gone well, Taylor said. Since September, students have met twice a week for half-hour lessons.

"It was a time for them to have fun and get to interact with their friends," Taylor said of the classes.

Grace and Bethany Latterell agree with Taylor that getting to spend time with friends practicing dance has been enjoyable.

Taylor, 22, is majoring in special education at Northern State University. She said she knew all four of her students before the dance classes started. And she said it's important that people with disabilities have advocates who help them experience new and exciting things.

Kids with disabilities have taken other ARCC dance classes, but this is the first year the center has had classes especially for them, Taylor said.

She said she hopes the ARCC will be able to offer the classes again next year. That, the Latterell girls say, would be great.

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Copyright (c) 2006, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

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Source: American News (Aberdeen, S.D.)

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