LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 31 As a teacher, I tell my students that trying new things that scare us is beneficial to our growth as humans. Having decided that I should do the same, I remember the nerves and excitement of walking into that first class. Marissa Hernandez (Miss Marissa) informed us that we would be performing a choreographed dance. On stage. In front of an audience. Initially, I was just looking to do a bit more exercise and learn some new dance moves. I hadn't realized that the adults ALSO performed in the recital with the kids. But, I was try- ing something new and branching out from my normal. Many others feel the same. Crystal McComber also decided to join the Sanctu- ary as an adult dancer. "I had watched a dance recital approximately 5-6 years ago of a few of my students when I was teaching. It was an incredible experience to watch. Kids of all ages and the adults performed, and the energy coming off of the stage was infectious." Crystal joined Adult Beginner Hip Hop this past fall (and killed it on stage, I might add). "I tried for 3 years to get in, but my schedule never allowed me to do so. In the fall of 2025, scheduling worked in my favor and I was able to go! I chose Hip Hop as my first class and was so incredibly nervous! Miss Vanessa is amazing and brought so much fun energy and motivation to the class my insecurities started to disappear." All teachers do an amazing job of motivating peo- ple and promoting acceptance. As Vanessa says, "At The Dance Sanctuary, acceptance is where everything begins. Every dancer who walks through our doors is welcomed exactly as they are — no expectations, no prerequisites, just open arms. From that place of be- longing, we then gently encourage growth. We believe in each dancer's potential, sometimes even before they see it in themselves. It's about creating an envi- ronment where people feel safe enough to take risks, to be challenged, and to rise. "That balance — of being fully accepted while also being inspired to grow — is where transformation happens. And it's one of the most beautiful things we get to witness every single day." I joined class for myself, but for a few classmates, their kids are also taking dance classes at the Sanc- tuary. I remember voicing my performance anxieties with my friend Rebecca, who was feeling the same way, but joined because her daughter encouraged her to. We decided that we would finish the semester and do the recital, just this once, to see. Here we are, four years later, in the highest level of hip hop dance that is offered to adults — Crew. I have heard from the adults in other classes that they joined Opposite and above: From the first twirls in in the studio, to halftime shows at local football games, and inspirational re- hearsals, the Dance Sanctuar y is all about acceptance. Above: Mandi Maiore (left) and Vanessa Pillen (right), opened the Dance Sanctuar y in 2016 with the mission of creating a wel- coming space for people to learn and express themselves.

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