QNetNews.ca Dance culture is expanding in Belleville

Wayne Corinaldi’s hip hop class at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada. Photo courtesy of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada

By Julia Lennips ^[1]

BELLEVILLE – The dance community in Belleville is swinging, and still growing.

There are nine dance schools in the city that teach a wide range of styles, from ballet to hip hop.

The Quinte Ballet Studio of Canada ^[2] on Palmer Road gets a lot of attention from the community for its success. Jane Gardner, the studio’s general manager, says the dance community in Belleville has seen a lot of growth.

“A few years ago there weren’t that many dance schools around,” Gardner said. But “every year you see something happening in terms of dance studios growing or opening up. Small communities are areas where there is growth involved, where people want to have an opportunity to have their kids dance locally.”

Dance has transformed into something that is used to promote wellness and health, she said.

“For seniors in particular we have a really interesting program called Dancing with Parkinson’s ^[3], which is focused on creative exercises,” Gardner said. The Quinte Ballet Studio has “been doing that program with certified teachers who are working with Parkinson’s patients who are finding their mobility has increased, their tremors have diminished and they’re feeling much better after having left class.”

Meanwhile, last weekend Art Works Center and Dance Studio ^[4] had its grand opening, adding to the list of dance studios in the area. Art Works, on Pinnacle Street in downtown Belleville, offers dance lessons, art classes and workshops for youth and adults.

Christopher Bennett, the owner of Art Works, says his studio will contribute to the variety of dance services in the area.

“The dance community in Belleville has always been small, but it has grown to be very abundant. There are many dance studios, but (Art Works is the) only one that specializes in the original dance forms of hip hop culture, break dance, popping ^[5], locking ^[6] classes.”

Belleville has always supported the arts, but now is the time to make sure they are getting the attention they deserve, Bennett said.

“I know how to be that influence and advocate. Art Works is what is needed in Quinte to help nourish the arts in our community by providing opportunity for all.”