Jane Emerick
Special to The Chief
Marian Rose doesn't see herself as a mere dance instructor - instead, the accordion playing visionary describes herself as a community development worker. Rose teaches dance at elementary schools and uses it as a tool to help create a sense of community in young people.
"Kids today haven't seen their parents dancing together," she said. "It is almost like dance has skipped a generation."
Rose said the result of not seeing or experiencing dancing at young age, is children will grow up uncomfortable with the movements and the social aspect of dancing. Through her teaching Rose is working towards restoring dance in the community and bringing back the time when everyone danced and enjoyed its social aspects.
She originally wanted to work with adults, but found herself working with kids and realized the importance of teaching dance at a young age.
"This is where things need to happen," she said. "I am bringing them something that is terrifying and exciting at the same time."
Rose said young boys are often reluctant to try the dancing, but she likens it to sports to pique their interest.
"We are just adding music and taking away the competition," she said. "There is physical conditioning, team work, not to mention math and social studies skills."
Rose admits it is challenging getting 30 children to perform a dance routine, but also said the outcome is rewarding."I love it," she said.
Rose said she believes dancing provides people with a sense of community, because it allows for social and physical contact in a fun and public environment. She said this is the reason dance has been popular for centuries.
Her goal is to give the youth she teaches a positive memory about dance, one they can take with them to their adulthood and will allow them to be comfortable with all aspects of dancing.
Residing in Vancouver, her teaching of contra, English country dancing, ball room dancing and something she calls the "prairie wedding repertoire", has led her all over the province and to nearly all of the elementary schools in Squamish. This year, she has already visited Stawamus and will visit Brackendale latter this month. Rose also leads dancing at weddings and functions.
For more information visit Marian Rose's Community Dance Project at www.marianrose.com.
