"Sauté, sauté, sauté" - The Redding Dance Centre

I heard about The Redding Dance Centre through my friend Calli who attends ballet classes there. She told me her class was made of a mix of people - ages 16 to 74. Experience ranging from dancing since they were toddlers, to others who started much later in life, but all of them sharing in a deep love of ballet.

For the past 6 months I’ve been working on an online photojournalism course. My first photography assignment was to go to a neighborhood I had never been to, to take photos over a passage of time. Well, since I had never been to The Redding Dance Centre, I took liberty on the neighborhood part and attended their open house to photograph a ballet practice. 

I met with Calli before practice to get a feel of my boundaries and what was allowed. Just the day before I had gotten permission from the studio director and ensured waivers had been signed by anyone under 18.

Soon after walking in I met Karen, the oldest member of the class. I knew instantly she would be the focus of this assignment. She was mesmerizing and I felt completely inspired by her infectious charisma and love for dance.

Calli putting on her slippers before practice.

Students at the bar, Relevé with a Cambré.

Karen alone at the bar, Sous-sus movement.

Karen began dancing when she was in the seventh grade, her training paid for by her grandfather who encouraged her to follow what she loved. She continued to dance through high-school and part of college.

Stephanie (class instructor) working with Clara (student) on Développé à la Seconde.

50 years after leaving ballet, at 69, Karen signed up for beginners ballet at The Redding Dance Centre and worked her way through the requirements to enter the intermediate level.

Calli, right, and partner working on Attitude Devant.

Throughout practice Karen would throw me her glamorous smile and a wink. She knew I was nervous to be in the room and her assurance told me she knew what it meant to be out of one’s comfort zone. I would move around the edges of the dance floor, not allowed to get too close as to cause a disruption. Karen would always meet me where I was to ask me what I thought, “You’re fantastic. Stunning.” She’d nod at this and return to the group.

When I asked Karen why did she come back to ballet she told me,

“You have to do what you love.”

And she’s right. You have to do what you love.

Karen flashing her smile, Attitude Devant.

Sous-sus (movement only to be performed in one alignment position).

Sauté - pronounced “so-tay”. Meaning jump.

Karen, at the end of practice.

Calli Garner assisted me in terminology and understanding the positions and movements for these photos.

To know more information on classes, the dance centre’s history, and instructors go to www.reddingdancecentre.com