Sierra House Ballet Club
Teachers making a difference
There are children in Tahoe who are talented and would flourish if they were given the opportunity to learn ballet. Unfortunately, not all kids in our community can afford dance lessons, practice wear, and transportation to a studio. By creating the Sierra House Ballet Club, we’re offering lessons free of charge, dance attire, and practicing at an elementary school which they already attend, kids can participate in a beautiful art form.
“Children who may be struggling academically can gain confidence and camaraderie through dancing and performing with others. Learning choreography to music also helps stimulate brain development and creativity. It's also a whole lot of fun!”
— An Tuan Tabor, Teacher & Ballet Instructor
Ballet Bars, Costumes, and a Powerful Experience
The Sierra House Ballet Club has been using desks and chairs for instruction. With Marcella Foundation funds the Ballet Club will get it’s first real ballet bar, mirrors, and an unforgettable trip to see the Nutcracker!
How can you help?
I welcome community support for our ballet club with open arms! We need someone who can sew to make simple alterations to costumes. Stage sets and backgrounds for our performances would be wonderful. This could be a great Senior Project for a STHS student. We also need a liason to make arrangements with a local Senior Center so our dancers can perform there. Donations to purchase ballet club tee-shirts to give to dancers would be awesome!
About
An Tuan Tabor is currently a teacher at Sierra House Elementary School. She began dancing at age 7 in an after-school dance class and was thrilled to perform her first role-as a skunk in Peter Pan! She eventually began studying ballet at the Oakland Ballet under the instruction of Ronn Guidi who put her on scholarship so she could attend more classes. At age 14, she was accepted to the North Carolina School of the Arts and was again put on scholarship. She performed with the Oakland Ballet and also choreographed and performed as a soloist at Berkeley High School. An Tuan joined the CitiCenter Dance Theater in Oakland and continued to perform around the Bay Area and participated in a public school outreach program where she enjoyed dancing for elementary students. This love of children led to her becoming an elementary school teacher.