MarLo Dance Studio Leaps into Fall 2020

For more than 20 years, MarLo Dance Studio has nurtured strong minds and bodies with dance instruction for students of all ages. Continuing their commitment to positivity, studio staff invite audiences to a family-friendly movie and dance experience at the Sprague Community Theater.

“Leap!” (Spyglass Media Group 2016) is an animated action adventure movie about a young heroine who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina with the Paris Opera Ballet company. At the show, enjoy a cameo appearance by MarLo dancers, and learn about fundraising opportunities to benefit the dance studio scholarship program.

Shows are 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18. The event is sponsored by Easlon Construction and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Visit our Events section for details and ticket information.

Leaping into the Fall Season

After six months of class limitations and interruptions, MarLo Dance Studio is back in session. MarLo students commute from as far as Powers, Brookings, and Coos Bay. The studio’s unique program focuses on a classical ballet foundation with jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and ballroom genres. In keeping with COVID restrictions, classes are smaller than average this fall with priority for returning students.

MarLo instructors and dancers made a quick shift in March from in-person instruction to online stretches, tendues and pirouettes. Zoom meetings were a great way to stay connected but no replacement for studio rehearsal, noted studio director Maria Merriam. The annual MarLo spring show was postponed, then cancelled, as pandemic restrictions continue to limit group rehearsals and performances. (The studio’s semi-annual “Nutcracker” production is tentatively rescheduled for the 2021 holiday season.)

Cancelling the “Cinderella” production was a two-fold disappointment for dancers and instructors. Community members look forward to productions as an artful showcase of student achievement. And, theatrical productions are the primary source of funding for the studio’s scholarship program. Scholarships are made available to aspiring dancers who need assistance with the cost of class tuition.

“The need is greater than ever this year,” said Merriam.

Eager to get back into the theater, Merriam took inspiration from New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, where movies were historically paired with live performances by the Rockettes. In Bandon, the “Leap!” movie will be followed by a live performance by a small group of upper level MarLo ballet students.

Those who are inspired can contribute to the studio scholarship fund two ways. Make a donation or purchase a 2021 calendar featuring MarLo dance production photos by local photographers Annetta Adams and Eric Wyatt. Donations and calendar orders can be made online though the MarLo ticket shopping cart or in person at the Sprague Community Theater.

Patrons interested in supporting local performing arts and youth programs and those with general questions may contact Maria Merriam by phone, 541-252-1394.

MarLo Dance Studio 2019 “Pinocchio” production photo by Eric Wyatt, courtesy of MarLo Dance Studio.