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A Night at the Ballet
Chris Schansberg

Last night Lee (my wife), myself and several of the members from my church had the privilege of attending Mobile Ballet Dance School's 2008 Showcase (their end of year recital). The Showcase highlighted the students of the school - Kindergarten through High School (and beyond) - and demonstrated the skills and talents they had acquired throughout the year. The performance was well put together and very professional. It made for a wonderful and relaxing evening.

Our children have been a part of the Mobile Ballet School for two years - and it has been a wonderful sojourn with the people of the Mobile Ballet. We came to the school looking for a school that would teach classical ballet in a way that would emphasize long term habits that would enable our children to build on those habits for success in ballet - and in life. Prior to our coming to Mobile Ballet, we had participated in several local ballet schools that left much to be desired. The teachers of these other schools were often undisciplined and the training of the children under their care left much to be desired. Experiences like these left both Lee and I with the feeling that few people in Mobile seriously cared about establishing a serious training regiment for children in Ballet.

Our arrival at Mobile Ballet showed us a world we had only dreamed of. We were most immediately impressed by the focused, disciplined attitude of the School Administrator, Pamela Thompson - who became the first teacher of our children. Mrs. Thompson blended a disciplined attitude with an obvious care for the overall well being of the children under her care. Her leadership of the school and the people under her care is obviously a labor of care and love. Lee and I both consider it a privilege to know her.

We discovered this attitude of care for people, as well as a concern for the discipline of ballet, was a characteristic held by all of the teachers of the school. I have yet to discover a teacher, volunteer - or anyone associated with Mobile Ballet - who does not reflect the values of Mrs. Thompson. This also goes for the branch of the Mobile Ballet School located in Daphne, led by School Administrator, Zoe Lombard-Todd. Through and through the Mobile Ballet School is an organization that reflects Christian values and priorities in the best possible way.

I have also been deeply impressed by positive, caring attitude of Mobile Ballet's Artistic Director, Winthrop Corey. In his leadership of the school Mr. Corey combines care for people with a zeal for quality teaching of the discipline of ballet. Mr. Corey has an extensive resume as a dancer, and ballet director, also having staged and choreographed many well recognized ballets.

Over the course of our two years at Mobile Ballet, I have watched Mr. Corey teach and interact with students ranging in age and experience from Kindergarten age to College age and beyond. Watching him is a privilege as he interacts with each student. In his interactions with the students he shows an obvious enjoyment for teaching, and an equally obvious care for the student. Mr. Corey knows, I am sure, that not each student will go on to be a professional ballerina or dancer. Yet when he interacts with each child it is as if that he feels the sky is the limit for that student in his eyes.

This attitude of care and excellence is also part of the outlook of the Board of Directors for Mobile Ballet. Last night, I had a first time opportunity to meet members of the Board - who were acting as ushers and ticket collectors. In speaking with them and sharing my happiness with the Mobile Ballet School, their keen interest in what I had to say was obvious. The Members of the Board whom I spoke to had the same love for the students and the discipline of ballet as everyone else I had met who was associated with Mobile Ballet.

I've also been impressed by the high level of character of the students of the Ballet school. In two years at the school, I've never witnessed a quarrel between students, seen an attitude of jealousy or competition, and have never heard swearing or foul language of any kind. The students are modest, caring and attentive to the needs of each other and those around them. Recently, when I asked one parent at the school what caused him to bring his daughter to the school, he replied, "I was looking for a ballet school for my daughter, and I noticed that all of the kind, nice, decent kids in her school went to Mobile Ballet. That made up my mind for me." When he said this, I nodded my head in agreement.

That leads me to one of the reasons the Showcase of Mobile Ballet is a powerful experience for Lee and myself, and, I am certain, for everyone else associated with the school (parents, teachers and friends alike). If you're active in getting to know the teachers, parents and students, the Showcase is about more than just your children. It's about the dreams, efforts and triumphs of every child and youth on the stage. The Showcase is a celebration of life, and about God's goodness to us all. The Psalmist spoke well when he said, "Praise the Lord with dancing." (Psalm 150:4)

As a Pastor, I long ago became convinced of the value of exposing children and youth to a curriculum of athletic training that emphasizes overall health, discipline and character. The Mobile Ballet School combines all of these facets in a way that is wonderful to witness and be a part of. I am convinced that the Mobile Ballet School and Company is making this world a better place, and is serving to help raise up a generation of godly, Christian leaders for the next generation - not to mention some top flight dancers.

One of my children tonight put it very well. I must explain first, that after a day spent around ballet, they spent their free time the next day rehearsing and mimicking what they had seen the night before. Their level of excitement was high.

Anyway, my daughter said, "Daddy, I can't wait for Christmas. Do you know why?"

Curious, I answered, "Why is that, honey?"

She answered, "Because when Christmas comes, the Nutcracker (a Christmas ballet annually performed by the students and company of Mobile Ballet) will be coming again."

It's the middle of May, and my child can't wait for a Ballet performance in December.

Funny thing is, I can't wait either.