Writers spin tales from words. Dancers spin – literally – and tell stories with their bodies. The craft is in the approach. Just as writers wrap words in nuances that convey different meanings, dancers approach each step with intentionality that tells the tale. Every tilt of the head, step, pirouette, or leap is distinguished by its own approach, helping the character, relationships, and story emerge.

I had the privilege of writing a feature for Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, published in the distinguished school’s program for its production of Giselle. I have often said that the phrase “world-class” is kicked around too loosely, but CPYB is one of those rare entities that deserves the title. Many of its students uproot their lives and move to Carlisle, PA, so they can learn not just dance steps but the discipline needed to make ballet a career. While writing the story on the presentation of Giselle, I learned, too, about the distinctions in dance steps that help young dancers tell a wordless story of love, betrayal, and forgiveness. Story Time: Spinning Music and Dance into a Timeless Tale page 1, page 2.