Ruth’s dancers showcase their skills

Friday, September 14, 2012

By EARTHA TERRELL

eterrell@vindy.com

Ballet dancers from Ruth’s Dance and Fitness Co., LLC kept audience members thoroughly entertained as they told the classic tale of good versus evil during their performance of “Lord of the Dance” at Canfield High School June 23.

“Every year, we try and do a big event. We only take the sound track and we try to tell the story through music. We have characters and we try and connect with the crowd,” said owner and Artistic Director Ruth Ballestra.

The performance included more than 70 students from Boardman, Austintown, Canfield and Poland. Each student worked diligently and performed ballet, jazz and modern dance choreography.

“There’s a lot of work that goes behind the scenes. It’s hard to dance on point. It took a lot of work and I thought they did very well. You watch it in the studio setting, but then the final product was so beautiful and I really liked it. I was really excited to actually see it on stage in color with their shoes and costumes and everything,” Ballestra said.

The event also gave dancers the opportunity to show off their acting skills.

“What I was really excited about was how they represented their characters. They also presented good stage performance with confidence. I am extremely proud of the kids. My students come to class with ready and willing. They want to be there and they get so emotionally involved in these shows. I think I have good dancers and good kids,” Ballestra said.