PHOTO BY BOB ROCHE
Emily Myette, left, applies makeup for her niece, Aniya Myette, before she takes to the stage for the Studio B Dance School’s show.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — It’s taken months of preparation, but Aniya Myette is ready to perform on the big stage for her annual recital.
“I just hope I don’t make a mistake,” she said, as she looked across the dance hall at her proud mom and waved with great enthusiasm.
She, along with 200 students from Studio B Dance School in Lynn, performed on Saturday at the Lynn City Hall Memorial Auditorium.
Events like this are nothing new to 11-year-old Aniya. She became a dancer around the same time that she learned to walk. And that’s not at all unusual for most of the girls who participate in dance classes nationwide.
The dance studio industry generates about $2 billion annually in revenue, according to IBIS World Inc. It is estimated that there are 32,000 studios throughout the country,and collectively, they enroll about three million students annually.
American girls often begin their love of dance in a local dance studio at the age of three or four. They attend weekly classes during the school year and then present the fruits of those many classes at a dance recital in June. Many participate in formal classes for several years, often performing well into their teens and beyond.
Betty Card, owner of Studio B Dance School, was one of those girls.
“ I began dancing when I was a child,” she said. “As a teen I was in dance class five days a week. By 1969, I was a teaching assistant at Lynn Dance Academy, (which became Betty Card’s Studio B), and I decided to work where I love to be. I enjoy this part of the year because it’s an opportunity for the students to proudly show their families what they have been working on for such a long time. It’s also great to see the sense of confidence this gives them.”
“I think I’m ready for the recital because I’ve worked hard,” Aniya said. “I’ve been coming to class twice a week since September and I love it because everyone works so hard and helps each other .”
Aniya practiced to perform in six dance numbers, ranging from tap, jazz, ballet and gymnastics.
“My favorite number is “Good To Be Alive” and I’m glad my family will be at the show to see me dance,” she said, as she joined her classmates for rehearsal.
Instructor Amanda Hamel is celebrating a dozen years in dance.
“I enjoy working with all of the children and I’m excited about this year’s recital,” she said. “Aniya is a sweetie and I love her because she has a great attitude and is such a hard worker. She always has a big smile on her face.”
Aniya’s mom, Joanna Myette, admitted she’s nervous for her daughter. But she’s also excited about the recital and all that it brings.
“I’ve been dancing since I was four-years-old and it never gets old,” she said. “I’m so glad that Aniya loves it just as much.” she said.
As the rehearsal goes on and the dance hall becomes busier by the minute, Aniya and her fellow dancers follow the instructions being called out to them by their teachers.
“Roll, roll, turn, skip, 2,3,4 and again,” shouted instructor Lisa Cullivan, trying to be heard over the music.
By Thursday night’s rehearsal, Aniya and her classmates have heard instructions like this too many times to count. The studio is hot and there is a nervous excitement in the air. The children, along with their instructors are exhausted, yet eager to get the show on the road.
Mom thinks her daughter is getting anxious as the recital gets closer, yet it doesn’t interfere with her positive attitude or effort at the week long nightly rehearsals.
“Aniya’s in six numbers, and that’s a lot to carry,” she said. That’s so much to remember and perform, but she insists that she loves it and I truly believe she does.”
Saturday, performance day, has finally arrived. Aniya must report to City Hall at 4:00 p.m. But preparation time begins much earlier at home. Hair and makeup are on the agenda and she will report to the theater in costume. The young dancer’s house is abuzz with activity. But she is focused and looking forward to seeing her friends and dancing on the big stage.
“I tried to just hang out today and not use much energy because I know I need a lot for tonight,”Aniya said.
The family arrives at City Hall and showtime is 30 minutes away. The backstage is busy and loud, but also very organized. Teachers are rounding up dancers, while assistants are checking sound systems and scenery. The lights are dim, but somehow the area seems bright. Perhaps it’s the millions of tiny multi colored sequins attached to the costumes of the many dancers that are gathering, or maybe it’s the true spirit of excitement and anticipation that is lighting up the waiting area.
Aniya approaches a group of dancers, and hugs and hellos are exchanged.She is wishing everyone good luck and seems to be relaxed. Her mom is close by, in costume herself. Along with a group of mom dancers, she is performing to a J. Lo mashup of songs.
“I’m excited for everyone,” Myette said. “They work so hard all year and this is the big night to show off what they’ve learned. I look forward to this night because we are like a family and it’s so nice to celebrate the hard work that our kids and their teachers have put in since last September. After tonight, it’s all over until the fall, and that’s a relief, but it’s a little sad, too. We will miss everyone and think about them all summer.”
Soon the lights flicker, signaling showtime. The crowd of about 300 applauds and settles down. The music swells and the curtain opens. The long anticipated annual recital begins. The choreography is entertaining and well presented.
There are 46 individual and group performances, and the show moves at a steady pace.The audience is attentive and claps with enthusiasm for each routine. Dads are seen carrying restless younger siblings in and out of the auditorium at regular intervals. The recital runs for about three hours and all of the dancers are smiling as they gather on stage for the final curtain call. Teachers join them and relief that the event has ended with few,if any, glitches is visible on their faces.
And with that, the bright house lights flood the auditorium, and the moment is over. It, along with an array of props and colorful tutus, are carefully packed away and placed into storage.
But it will return in a few short months, and a new crop of young stars will join the troupe and dance will once again rule the day.
Overall, the evening is like a big group hug as each of the young dancers leave the recital with a bouquet of flowers and perhaps a lifetime of memories.