The dancers and instructors at Creative Movement Center are thrilled to be back to doing what they love

By Patricia Nugent

The show must go on.

After a year of cancelled events and lost or limited occasions, the dance company at Creative Movement Center in Broadview Heights realized a dream come true with its Dance Showcase performance at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Sunday, May 2.

“Eighty of our 10- to 18-year-old dancers performed ‘Lessons Learned,’ a program touching on the difficult times of 2020,” says Hayley Weiss, director and owner of the non-competitive dance studio. “We did a number with the dancers wearing scrubs dedicated to health care workers, and another one entitled, ‘Headlines of 2020.’ The message of every dance was hope, gratitude and kindness.”

Nine graduating seniors from the company performed solos before the audience of more than 700.

“In the past, we’ve enjoyed our relationship with the Fieldhouse, performing during halftime shows for Cavs and Monsters games,” she says. “But their generosity in letting us hold our show there is overwhelming. They even ran footage from our slideshow tribute to graduating seniors on the jumbotron. I’m amazed by our dancers’ dedication and resilience, how far they were willing to go for the love of dance.”

Like a Second Home
Over the past 12 years, Creative Movement Center has grown and expanded its programs, which range from ballet, tap and jazz to contemporary, lyrical, hip hop, acro and Broadway jazz, for dancers ages 18 months to 18 years. There are about 70 classes each week.

“Our Little Movers class starts with circle time, and the caregiver attends with the student,” she says. “There’s free movement, playtime with musical instruments and special bonding time and snuggle time. It fosters independence and prepares the dancer for the next level of class.”

Working with an occupational therapist, they also offer an adaptive class for special needs children. The studio becomes like a second home for the dancers, a special safe place. Older students join the class and become mentors to the younger ones.

“Most of our teachers have been with us since the beginning,” says Hayley. “And most of our dancers start with us as young children and stay with us through age 18. It’s a particular point of pride that many of our graduating dancers go on to major or minor in dance in college, either becoming dance teachers themselves one day, or performers.”

As a former preschool teacher, Hayley is uniquely qualified to help enrich children’s lives and help them see dance as a platform for individual and personal growth.

“Some of our students come here because they’d like to be part of a musical at their school,” she says. “They learn self-confidence, choreography and acting skills, too. Children find their voice here at CMC, which is beautiful. Our passion lies in growing leaders of tomorrow.”

She says each year they work with about 300 dancers and are on the lookout to expand their two-room studio within the upcoming year.

“We are a place where dancers can let their guard down, feel love and acceptance, and grow as people,” she says.

Creative Movement Center is located at 203 E. Royalton Road in Broadview Heights. In addition to classes and programs, the studio hosts themed birthday parties, such as Princess Party or Teen Beach Movie Party. Call 440-546-0123 or visit CreativeMovementCenter.com for more information.