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Spotlight Studios celebrates 15 years of dance in Southwest Nebaska
McCOOK, Neb. - Spotlight Studios, a prominent dance school in Southwest Nebraska, has been a cornerstone for performing arts for 15 years. Led by instructor Jazlyn Hart for the past five years, the studio offers a variety of dance styles that help students develop skills, and gives dancers the opportunity to express their creativity.
Hart, originally from Alliance, pursued dance at Concordia University and the University of Wyoming. She expresses joy in living her dream and helping students excel in dance.
“I started dance at 7th Street Dance Studio in Alliance. I danced there from about kindergarten through high school. I was also on the high school cheer team. I did competition dance for eleven years too,” Hart said.
Hart was on the dance team at Concordia University before transferring to the University of Wyoming to major in dance.
“It’s really good, it’s what I always wanted to be when I was little, so its fun to live out your dream and get to do what you love for work. I have a really great time doing it because it’s what I love,” Hart said. “You get to push the students and see how far they are willing to push themselves to become great dancers.”
Spotlight Studios teaches several different styles of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, and a special leaps and turns class. By challenging students with a variety of dance offerings, dancers develop new skills and grow personally.
The students of all ages at Spotlight Studios share a passion for dance and performing. Their strong bond is undoubtedly a result of the many hours they spend together in the studio.
“I like the experience and being able to get better, and I also like being with the people who dance with me. And my dance teacher, she’s really nice and she helps me get better,” Spotlight Studio student Gidget Crocker said.
“They’re just my friends in general. Some of them don’t go to the same school as me, but we talk about dance. And it’s not just dance; we do stuff together. They’re just really fun to be around.”
Each student has their own unique inspiration or reason for starting dance, and they continue to pursue it with the same passion.
“I was watching TV, and I saw a really pretty dancer. I thought she was really pretty and she was dancing very beautifully, and I thought that I wanted to be like that when I’m older,” Spotlight Studios student Charlotte Johnson said.
Many of the students have been dancing since they were very young.
“When I was little, my sister and I would make up dances and perform in front of our parents. Then I was dancing in the Walmart aisles, so my parents decided to put me in dance classes,” Spotlight studios student Taylor Earl said.
The Spotlight Studios crew always make sure to uplift and support each other.
“They’re really supportive, they always hype me up before going onstage. We’re just really having fun and I enjoy being there with them. Ms. Jazlyn is a really nice teacher too,” Johnson said.
Spotlight Studios is a cornerstone of the arts and performing arts scene in McCook and Southwest Nebraska.
“The arts is a really important community, and it’s one that doesn’t receive a lot of recognition and funding. So we always have to support each other. Whether that is dance, or music, or visual art, we have to be really supportive of each other. We all do it because we love it,” Hart said.
The community aspect is something that is not lost on the students of Spotlight Studios as well.
“There’s definitely a huge community no matter where you dance or where you’re from, you’re always welcome. It’s just a great way to get everything out, if you’re feeling sad or whatever, you can just get it all out,” Spotlight Studio student Aspen Dame said.
Spotlight Studios is set to begin its 15th year of classes in August.
As Spotlight Studios prepares to embark on its 15th year, the passion and dedication of both its students and instructor Jazlyn Hart remain unwavering. This dance school is more than just a place to learn dance; it is a community where friendships are forged, dreams are pursued, and the love for performing arts is celebrated daily. With a diverse range of dance styles and a supportive environment, Spotlight Studios continues to be a cherished institution in Southwest Nebraska, fostering talent and camaraderie among all who step through its doors.
Spotlight Studios
208 West C Street
McCook, NE 69001
308.345.4734
spotlightmccook.com
spotlightstudiosmccook@gmail.com
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