It seems that girls who learn to dance early in life might find
themselves as professional dancers, models, actresses
– even professional cheerleaders.
It seems that girls who learn to dance early in life might find themselves as professional dancers, models, actresses – even professional cheerleaders.
“Several of the girls who trained at my schools have gone on to work on cruise ships, commercials and on the Raider and 49er professional cheering teams,” said Lana Wright, owner and teacher of Lana’s Dance Studio in Morgan Hill and Gilroy.
Wright said she believes children’s lives are enriched when they are exposed to the arts and traveling.
Last year, Wright took her competitive dance team to New York where they went sight-seeing, took a dance class on 42nd Street and sang and danced with the cast from the Lion King.
“We also did fun things like visited the “Today Show,” saw the “Lion King,” rode the subway to Ground Zero, visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty,” said Wright.
“Kids mature so much more when they get the opportunity to travel,” said Wright.
Wright said that her daughter, Leila, had been a Rockette and that it was a lot of fun when the kids got to actually dance in the Rockette’s studio in Radio City Music Hall.
“Not only must the girls dance well; they must be smart,” said Wright.
Apparently, the details of the stage markings on dance floor in the Rockette’s dance studio required some mathematical skills.
“I hope that with dancing and these experiences that the girls continue to be responsible and positive young women,” said Wright.
“Leila is now a 49er cheerleader and, along with her friends Katie Towe and Stephanie Gamble, who also danced at my studio, are very positive young women,” added Wright.
For the past four years, Wright has also been the head cheerleader coach at Live Oak High School. She said she loves the dance community, choreographing dance routines and working with the girls and young women.
“I try to stay up the with the dance world,” said Wright.
“Right now, hip-hop dancing is becoming more popular, my studio offers that too,” she added.
During early summer, some talented dancers from Lana’s, and a few who got their start there, got to show off their skills at Lana’s Dance Studio 25th Anniversary Celebration held at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.
“I wanted to do something different, so I invited my former competition dancers to participate in the show,” said Wright.
The young women, who had graduated, including the oldest dancer who was 34, were sent videotapes of the choreographed routines so that they could learn the dances for the show.
“The biggest treat was to see the girls come back and pick up like they had never missed a beat,” said Wright.
Wright was inspired to be a dancer the day she tagged along with her older sister to dance class.
“I was two years old when I took my first dance class,” said Wright.
Since then, she has studied every kind of dance available.
“I had good teachers who were also good people,” said Wright.
Born in Gilroy and reared in Morgan Hill, Wright studied dance with local residents, Margie Jinks and Judy McJunkin. She also had an aunt who owned a dance studio in San Jose.
“I was mostly inspired by my parents who supported my decision to be a dancer,” said Wright.
Wright said she believes that it is important that parents are supportive of their children’s career decisions, even if it’s the arts.
“I think that the arts are important to young people,” said Wright.
Recently, Wright added a community notice board to her apparel shop, Kickline Dance and Fitness Apparel located in Cochrane Plaza.
The board displays information on all of the local dance studios, gymnastics, community playhouse events and anything involving the arts.
“It’s good to let the community know that they have choices for their children interested in the arts,” said Wright.
Whether it’s dancing for competition, or in some of the many community service events that Lana’s students participate in, she believes that dance is more than counts of eight.
“I think that you learn through life’s lessons and through dance I can see how these girls are learning to be responsible, accountable and go on to professional careers to become lawyers, accountants and some keep dancing,” said Wright.
For details on Lana’s Dance Studio, call 779-2691.
