I had the pleasure of interviewing Christina DeLessio, owner and director of Step Up Academy of the Arts in Henderson, Nevada. Christina owns and operates the studio with her mother Christine. Christina feels like her studio offers a home away from home atmosphere because the studio is owned and operated by a mother- daughter duo. Both her and her mother want each and every child to walk in and feel like they are home. They want every student that walks through their door to develop a strong technical foundation and find the ability to grow as an artist. Step Up Academy of the Arts is also the ONLY studio in their town that offers classes for children with special needs! These special needs children are also included in their annual Showcase.The best advice she can give her dancers is to not compare themselves to other dancers. One of her favorite quotes is by Mikhail Baryshnikov, “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”
The competition team at the studio competes under the name of the business, Step Up Academy of the Arts. Her students have many national titles and the studio received the “Top Studio” award in 2013. Her students hold the titles of NYCDA’s Outstanding Dancer, Mr. Spotlight, Junior Mr. Showbiz, Tap Icon award, Video Choice Award, numerous Best Choreography awards and every single one of their numbers has placed in the top 10 at every regional and national competition; along with 75% of their numbers placing in the Overall Spot! Her absolute favorite competition to go to is Thunderstruck Dance. She feels their judges are knowledgeable of all dance genres and judge fairly. The competitions are well organized and her students enjoy this competition.
The studio has only been open three and a half years but most of her seniors have been with her since she opened. When asked about some dancers at the studio, Christina named three of her students. Eric L. is 17 years old and has only been dancing three years. Eric has placed in the top five at every competition he has competed in. He has won the title of Mr. Spotlight, NYCDA’s Outstanding Dancer, Runner Up Mr. Showbiz, has had a callback for Newsies on Broadway, and has won the Judges Award for Most Captivating. AnnaBella B. is 10 years old and has been dancing for six years. She has been her student since she started dancing and followed Christina when she opened her studio. AnnaBella has competed for four years. In her short time, her solo/duo has placed in the top 10 at every competition and has won awards for her lines and legs. Jimmy C. is 10 years old and has danced for three years. Jimmy competes in the tap category and has won Junior Mr. Showbiz two years in a row along with the Tap Icon award. Christina feels good dance clothing is anything that is comfortable, but form fitting to see the child’s line. She wants her students to always carry all their shoes with them. She also tells them to have a leotard and new pair of tights on hand at all times.
Overall, she feels that dancers have a lack of technique nowadays. She thinks all children should take more ballet classes. She also sees students specializing in just one discipline and feels the idea of a well rounded dancer is fading.
Her biggest goal for the year is to ensure that each child becomes a better version of themselves every single time they step on stage. She wants to tell kids just starting out with dance to take ballet and to not give up. “Even, if at first it doesn’t come easy!”
If you have experience with Step Up Academy of the Arts in Henderson, Nevada or Christina DeLessio please leave a comment below about your experience!
By Cyndi Marziani
