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Dancers in step with the times

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By LENORA LAKE

llake@tampatrib.com

Published: October 21, 2009

UNIVERSITY AREA - Dance instructor Susan Downey held Muller Magnet Elementary School student Karen Cummings' arms straight and tight.

"Don't let them fall. Hold tight and look your partner in the eyes," Downey said as she demonstrated dance moves with 10-year-old Cummings.

Cummings is among seven girls from the school at 3615 N. 22nd St. learning routines that include steps from the Charleston, mambo and cha-cha. They, along with students from dance classes at two other schools, will perform their routines in a free show, "Dance Through the Ages," on Thursday at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Cummings said she likes the dance program "because you get to do different kinds of dances."

Downey, an instructor in the Patel Conservatory's Education Outreach program, began teaching the routines in mid-September. She visits Muller, Shore Magnet Elementary and the Walton Academy for the Arts twice a week for an hour.

"They are full of energy and they've got a zest for wanting to learn," said Downey, 47, who has taught programs this summer at the Mort NFL YET Center and other locations.

The Patel outreach program has 42 partners that receive its free services at schools and nonprofit centers. Those include workshops as well as afterschool programs and in-school programs of dance, theater and music.

Downey said Thursday's show will feature each school performing separately and one routine with the three schools.

"All three schools have a timeline and the common thread is that they are about young people letting music release their emotions," Downey said.

The Muller part set in 1927 is Varsity Drag "about college kids cutting loose," Downey said.

Philip Shore's era is the late 1950s with "shaking at the high school hop," Downey said, adding that third segment is focused on "Fame" in 1985 with night school students dancing in a New York City street.

Francine Lazarus, assistant principal of the 320-student Muller Elementary, said the dance class also helps students learn to listen, follow directions, work as a team and gain self-confidence.

Student Naylan Cuellar, 10, said she is looking forward to the performance.

"I think it is very exciting and I like being in front of people," Cuellar said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Dance performance featuring elementary students

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's TECO Hall, 1010 N. MacInnes Place

COST: free

INFORMATION: (813) 222-1002

Tribune correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 259-7662.

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