IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Fall 2016 | Page 21

Nearly 500 dancers participate in Dancing For A Difference, starting at age 5.

from area schools and churches add to the participation, bringing the
total involved close to 500.”
Opfermann says the dancers are between the ages of 5 and 18,
and most are involved in the Dancing For A Difference program by
dancing, singing or playing a musical instrument. The most celebrated
annual performance is “Gifts Of Dance and Other Offerings,” a
fundraiser for the Free Care Fund of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
of UPMC, that takes place annually on the first Saturday in December
at Baldwin High School. Two performances are presented that day,
one in the afternoon and one in the evening. This past year marked the
12th annual performance.
The event is supported by the studio, local church choirs, school
choruses and musicians, local high school dance teams and drama
clubs — and even the stage crew and students from Baldwin High
School. It’s a true “children helping children” event.
In spring 2015, Opfermann started a new event called “Dance
For Life,” which is a performance by the Dance Workshop by Shari
company dancers, The Shining Stars. The event takes place at the
Community College of Allegheny County South Campus Theater,
and all proceeds benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
“Dancing For A Difference provides a positive message of TEAM
(Together Everyone Achieves More),” Opfermann says. “As part of
a team effort with the dance teachers, parents and students, we can
make a difference for others by giving back through the use of our
talents and gifts. The message we want to deliver to our community is
that we care and want to be involved.”
Mt. Lebanon resident Tracey Green’s two daughters, Ellie, 6, and
Emilee, 10, have been dancing at Dance Workshop by Shari for four
and six years, respectively. Green says it feels good to know that her
daughters are involved in a program that is actively giving back to
others in need.

“Emilee was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago, and
what could have been a tragic time in her life turned into a lifetime
of good memories from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she
benefited from the ‘extra things’ she received that were made possible
through various fundraising efforts. Things like games, blankets and
even a Build-A-Bear all made for a more positive experience,” Green
says. “From that perspective, it has been an eye-opening experience
for her to learn about other kids who may need help too, and she now
has the opportunity to help them.”
It is not just the dancers and other performers who get excited
about rehearsing and performing the benefit shows. Opfermann says
the feedback she’s received from the dance studio parents and the
surrounding community has been very positive as well.
Rehearsals for the benefit performances begin two months in
advance with dancers learning their choreography. A finale is practiced
in two rehearsals with all of the dancers. And, a stage rehearsal takes
place the night before the performance, which allows all of the groups
to practice their part on the stage.
Over its 12-year run, Gifts Of Dance and Other Offerings has raised
more than $62,000 for the Free Care Fund of Children’s Hospital of
Pittsburgh of UPMC. The Dance for Life performance raised $3,000
in its first year, which was donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research
Hospital. The total amount given from various Dancing For A
Difference events since 2004 is about $115,000.
Other dance studio-sponsored events involve the adult fitness
classes participating in a Zumbathon, a “Party in Pink” event in
October to raise money for breast cancer, and a “Go Red” event
in February to benefit the American Heart Association and raise
awareness of heart disease in women. n

» For more information about Dancing For A Difference, visit www.DancingForADifference.com or www.DanceWorkshopByShari.com.
You can also call the Dance Workshop by Shari studio at 412.884.5099.

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