Youth Center teaches dance at weeklong camp

  • Published
  • By Ryan Stark
  • Nucleus writer
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The children who were in a weeklong dance camp at Kirtland's Youth Center were sweating, and it was still 40 minutes until their performance Friday.

That performance for family and others capped off five days of frantic activity for the 10 performers in a dance camp that has become a staple of the Youth Center's summertime events.

Instructor Giovianna Burrell -- "Miss G," as the kids called her -- said the dancers did a great job. They started Monday and had a full dance routine ready to present to a live audience on Friday.

"They all came here with a variety of dance styles," she said. "Some have done ballroom, some have done ballet. We wanted to introduce them to some new styles."

Burrell had her students concentrate on free-form contemporary dance, which is analogous to abstract painting. All but one of the students had previous dance experience, Burrell said.

"I was really happy because they were all able to come together and pick up the choreography in just three days," she said. "It's impressive for young people to be able to do that."

Eleven-year-old Katherine Smith, who was in previous summer dance camps, said the social aspect is a big a draw for her.

"I think it's been great working with everybody, and getting to see everyone else's style of dance," she said. "I just love to see all my old friends, see how they've matured and what they're doing."

Joshua Cardenas, 10, attended the dance camp for the first time this year. He said he was impressed with the dance talents of the other students.

"We're not just showing that we can dance, but a variety of dances and how we put it all together," Cardenas said. "When you have people with different types of dance moves, you can learn from the other dancers."

Youth Center events programmer Camille Ozores said this camp is one of several summer activities meant to introduce children and parents to the center, especially those who don't participate in programs during the school year.

"We provide programs like this because kids should have something special to do," Ozores said. "It boosts kids' character and leadership skills. The kids who aren't normally as outspoken tend to come out as leaders."

Another dance camp will be held in September. Children age 5 to 16 can sign up for that camp now at the Youth Center.

For more information, call 853-5437