I was recently privileged to attend a beautiful ballet called “Swan Lake.” I had never seen this ballet before, and I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing talent each dancer displayed.
As I learned more, I understood that this particular ballet performance was a collaboration of Dream Point Ballet Company and Dance for Life who partnered together to provide free ballet training to schools in Weber and Box Elder Counties. This training gave children, without the financial means, an opportunity to participate in the art of ballet. This brings to fruition the founding of Dance for Life Suicide Prevention and Good Mental Health which began in 2018. The idea of this is to bring further awareness and find solutions to the growing rate of suicides in Utah through the performing arts.
Kristin Barlow, artistic director for “Swan Lake,” as well as the owner of Starstruck Dance & Performing Arts in Brigham City, said, “Some of them (the dancers) had never danced before, they didn’t have any clue what to do but, they have been so excited. We discovered hidden talents in some of these kids.”
A unified effort came together to bring about this ballet production of “Swan Lake.” Kristin, her teenage daughter, Janessa Barlow, along with Janessa’s good friend, Leah Larsen, voluntarily taught three classes to those in Box Elder and Weber Counties-- for no cost at all. Both teenage girls are students at Box Elder High School where, sadly, there have been suicides in recent times.
As we all know, exercise creates endorphins, which in turn, gives us a feeling of joy and can also reduce pain. Therefore, we need to engage in these types of activities as part of the solution for suicide prevention. Building self-confidence and opening new doors to friendships, along with discovering hidden talents, can certainly give some relief to depression and other mental illness challenges. “To be active will bring joy,” Kristin says.
North Ogden Elementary, Canyon View Elementary, Discovery Elementary and Weber High School participated in this first ever launch of the community ballet of “Swan Lake.” North Ogden Elementary was the first to accept the offer of free dance classes. Barlow and her daughter, along with other volunteer teachers came once a week to the school to offer free lessons. Performances were held on May 18th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. inside the beautiful auditorium at Ogden High School.
Included in this performance of “Swan Lake” were over 100 cast members who had been practicing since January of this year, including those as young as three years old. All ticket proceeds went towards furthering mental health programs within the area.
Both Kristin and her daughter, Janessa, along with Leah-- all performed in the “Swan Lake” ballet. Kristin played Queen Regent, Janessa played Odile and Leah played Odette. Each of the students from the three classes joined them.
Kristin tells us that she saw these new, young students, “Transform into amazing, confident individuals. I’ve seen what dance and activities like this—extracurricular activities—can do.”
Through Dance for Life, Kristin Barlow truly hopes to lend assistance in the solutions for suicide prevention. She firmly believes participating in a community effort, such as a ballet, can help with this goal. Also, Kristin hopes to expand the program to other schools next year.
“Beauty and the Beast” is set to be the ballet performance next year. If there are any schools interested in being part of this performance in the Dance for Life Program, please contact Kristin Barlow at danceforlife108@gmail.com
