Indianapolis Dance Classes Indianapolis, IN

Dance lessons go beyond learning ballet

Indianapolis member Heather Rosenfeld's two daughters joined the Indianapolis School of Ballet (ISB) in 2007. Hannah - now 13 - started begging for lessons at the age of 2, but Heather didn't budge until the persistent child continued to voice her passion for ballet.

"I finally agreed to let Hannah try it out when she turned 4," Heather says. "At the time, her older sister Emily insisted that if Hannah was going to do it, she was too."

Nine years later, both girls are on pointe shoes - keeping their mom on her toes, too. "Dance requires a huge time commitment from the parents and the children," Heather says.

Regardless of whether or not her girls continue to dance, she says their chance to learn an art form is priceless. "It makes them culturally literate and gives them the opportunity to experience excellence and what it takes to achieve it."

Heather credits ballet with teaching Hannah and 16-year-old Emily the value of discipline, acquired skill, perseverance and teamwork. She also says it's kept her daughters mentally and physically fit over the years. "Sometimes they just don't feel right unless they're in the studio," she says.

Heather thinks the faculty at ISB has greatly contributed to her daughters' passion for ballet. "The phenomenal teachers are passing on their legacy," Heather says. "They know what it takes to achieve the highest level of dance, and they instruct the students accordingly."

This is important to the Rosenfeld family as Hannah considers becoming a professional dancer. Emily is still undecided. "Since they've been going to ISB, their skills improve at a much faster rate," Heather says.

Other pluses for Heather are the small class sizes and a tuition that's comparable to other local studios. "It's not cheap," she says. "But is it worth it? I think so."