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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

 

Young Chilton County dancers gained inspiration and perspective from a professional when Chattanooga Ballet came to Signature Studio of Dance in Clanton earlier this February for a free dance class. The nationally known ballet was in the midst of a residency and 10-day performance tour in the southeast when they made a detour to Clanton to visit with studio owner and artistic director Stephanie Genard and her students for a fun-filled day of professional guidance in the world of ballet and dance.

Chattanooga Ballet, or CHA Ballet, is celebrating their 50th anniversary season in 2025, and to celebrate, the ballet created the Art/Motion Program Tour that made stops in Jackson, Mississippi, Cookeville, Tennessee and Tuscaloosa after the start of the new year. CHA Ballet performed on Jan. 31 at The University of Alabama where fellow Signature Studio of Dance instructor Mary Roberts works in the school’s theatre and dance department. Roberts and fellow UA contact Savannah Golden got McSween and Genard connected.

Genard was introduced to Chattanooga Ballet CEO and Artistic Director Brian McSween, and McSween took the opportunity to instill some of his knowledge into the dance students. McSween offered to conduct a free class for the students at Signature Studio as part of the company’s outreach and Art/Motion Tour.

“I hope this class gives them a good insight into what being a professional dancer looks like and see them pursue to get more dance in their lives,” McSween said.

When CHA Ballet goes on tour they like to invest in the communities they are visiting. They not only perform there, but offer master classes, student performances and go into local studios to work with local kids like they did in Clanton. The class was different from the traditional ballet classes the students at Signature Studio do with more upbeat music and new techniques with tips from McSween throughout the day.

“Having a professional director like Brian McSween teach a class provides our students with invaluable insight into the professional dance world,” Genard said. “His expertise as a dancer and director offers them a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the realities of a professional dance career.”

This type of exposure to ballet is not common for young dancers and something many would not encounter until college. Genard added that this type of experience helps her students make informed decisions about their career paths. McSween held a question-and-answer session with the Signature Studio dancers as part of the class for them to ask questions about the daily life, rewards and struggles of being a professional dancer. McSween issued valuable knowledge to the dancers regarding the rigorous training, auditioning process, and work ethic required of professional dancers.

“I learned more techniques and how to articulate through my feet,” Aubrey Reeves, a Signature Studio of Dance student, said. “This class had more upbeat music and some different styles of ballet.”

McSween said the biggest reward ballet can get is seeing the audience respond to the artistry of the dancers and to provide experiences for them that move them. There is a lot of work that goes into each performance and a lot is asked of the dancers, but it is worth it for those that come out and see them.

“We want an audience to leave a theatre having gained a perspective they did not have when they came in,” McSween said.

McSween’s visit aligned with Signature Studio’s mission to cultivate well-rounded dancers and a studio that is dedicated to providing enriching experiences both within and outside the studio.

“By hosting a renowned professional like Brian McSween, we offer our students a unique opportunity to learn from a master, broaden their horizons, and gain valuable insights into the professional dance world,” Genard said. “This aligns with our commitment to creating a supportive and challenging environment where students can express themselves, learn, and grow.”

Genard added that she hopes the event and visit from McSween fostered both personal and artistic growth for her dance students.