seriously, but he still enjoys dancing around to music too. It is what we know and we can’t imagine it any other way,” said Tim- era. “We both love teaching and sharing our passion, especially with her. It is a truly special experience. Calla developing her love for the same art that we love is just beautiful to watch.” In her short years of dancing, Calla has already had many wonderful and life-changing experiences that she will forever think of and be appreciative for the experience. “When I was six years old I was chosen to represent and be an ambassador for one of the nation’s top dancewear brands, Tiger Friday,” said Calla. “I also got to go to weekend retreats for Tiger Friday. There were photoshoots, dance classes, and a lot of friend fun.” Calla also loved having the opportunity to go to Arizona for ballet intensives at Master Ballet Academy, meeting and devel- oping friendships with other dancers across the country and get- ting to take classes with well-known choreographers and leading dance teachers in the industry. “I also got to have private lessons with the famous Italian ballerina, Petra Conti, and well-known ballet instructor, Miss Krista King,” said Calla. As parents, Timera and Rob have seen Calla learn so many life lessons in her eight years from the art they so deeply love. The dance world is also forever changing, so it is exciting for them to watch her embark upon the same world they did years ago. “Being proud of her accomplishments is an understatement. I can’t even count the number of life lessons that we as adults have personally received from dance,” said Timera. “She has worked so hard for everything she has achieved and we are so honored to be a part of her journey.” Setting goals is one thing, but achieving them is another. Something Calla learned and is doing quite well at perfecting. “Along with constant practice in the succession of her goals, Calla has learned how to be disciplined in her work ethic and that hard work pays off - she applies this to everything. YO UT H T AL EN TS “In 2020, COVID-19 shut down our dance studio in South Dakota, so we began working with her on her own. She accomplished everything we threw at her and more,” said Timera. “We continued working with her in dance and acro.” Ever since she was a young child, Calla had always been very shy. Her parents were curious if she would be able to learn and execute a solo on a big stage after taking a pretty serious interest in dance, so they started teaching her one. “To our amazement, she not only learned it - but did it really quickly and well! The world was shut down, so we entered her into a virtual competition and she won,” said Timera. “We no- ticed she wasn’t shy when she danced, so we just kept going.” As the world began to slowly open back up, Timera took Calla to an in-person competition, again curious as to how she would react. “Calla may have been shy in person but not on the stage,” said Timera. “And in that moment, we watched her journey begin.” There are so many reasons why Calla enjoys the world of danc- ing and constantly trying to perfect her skills. She states that she likes the hard work of dance and performing her skills on stage. “I also like it because it is a really fun and beneficial activity,” said Calla. “When I grow up, I would like to have a career in dancing. I’d love to be a dance teacher!” Calla’s journey in dancing has taken her all over the United States over the past three years. She competes anywhere from six to ten times a year in multiple cities and travels two to three times a year to attend dance intensives all over. “She has traveled from as far as Arizona to Florida to compete and train in the world of dance,” said Timera. “She has met friends at every stop, so no matter where she goes she usually has a friend nearby.” Scientifically proven, dancing can be beneficial in so many different ways to an individual at any age. Dance teaches disci- pline, work ethic, strength, and so much more as Calla tells us. “Along with being disciplined, dance has taught me to learn to be myself,” said Calla. “It teaches me that hard work pays off. When I dance I feel free.” When speaking with Calla about dance, she also brings up the benefits of how others can learn from dance - even if they’re not the ones on stage. “People can learn from watching dancers. They can appreciate the artistry and history of dance,” said Calla. “Who knows - maybe they can try dance themselves. Dancing can make you SO happy!” The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree in this family. Both of Calla’s parents are dance teachers and former profession- al dancers, therefore, it has been extremely exciting for them to watch her follow in their footsteps. “Dance is an extremely big part of our lives. It has been all our family has ever known. Her younger brother doesn’t dance 62 MAY 2023 | INTHEVUE.COM
