Kinston Dance Academy shares Christmas spirit with Herritage Elite residents
Twenty-three dancers from Kinston Dance Academy showed up at Herritage Elite Retirement Community on Thursday, Dec. 20 to share the Christmas spirit through their dancing.
Every year, studio owner and artistic director Jan McKenrick takes some of the younger dancers out into the community during the holidays. In the past, the dancers have visited Spring Arbor, but this year they performed for the 26 residents of Herritage Elite.
“It’s a great experience for the dancers to get out and be a part of the community,” McKenrick said. “They get to give back and share their love for dance. The kids get the opportunity to dance in public, which is a great learning experience.”
The performances also make the holidays special for the residents of the different communities, as some might not get the chance to get out or see their grandkids who live further away, she said.
According to Tonya James, who works at Herritage Elite, the community has gotten visits from church groups before, but this year was the first they had a dance performance.
“They really enjoyed it,” James said. “The kids left a lot of little goodies, so every time the residents see the goodies they always ask if they’re coming back.”
As the holiday season can get so busy, McKenrick also expresses gratitude for the parents who help orchestrate the event.
“It takes all of us working together to make it happen,” she said. “I’m grateful for the dancers who want to go. They’re always excited and always ask to make sure we’re going to go this year. Everyone gets so much out of it.”
