For the fifth year in a row, dancers from a Yates Center-based studio performed to raise money for CASA, the national Court Appointed Special Advocate association.
Performers from Brenda’s Dance in Chanute and Reflections of Soul Ballet Academy of Burlington, joined the Y.C. group.
In previous years, the benefit performance had been held at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola, but had to be moved due to space constraints.
According to their mission statement, CASA “supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.”
M.W. Performing Arts, formerly known as The Studio, raised $8,424 in donations for CASA in connection with this year’s performance, which puts its five-year total at close to $32,000.
CASA funds are used primarily to train court-appointed guardians who accompany and represent kids within the foster system.
The organization relies primarily on grants and charitable donations, where training an advocate costs about $400-$450.
According to MWPA director Megan Weber, her studio is home to dancers from nine local communities, who focus on classical dance technique and strive for rigorous training and excellence.
The event this year featured a large-group piece called “Rescue,” which was choreographed by Weber and connected to the CASA mission, and a small-group piece called “Dreamers.”
Solo performances and a silent auction also took place.
Weber said she enjoys training dancers from small towns around the area, and says she doesn’t feel like being in a rural place holds her or her performers back at all.
M.W. Performing Arts will celebrate its ninth year with an anniversary show this spring.
