Making a
Difference
Through
Dance
Local dance studio’s
charity is changing
lives by giving back.
BY HEATHER HOLTSCHLAG
S
hari Opfermann, owner of Dance Workshop By
Shari, developed the philosophy of “Dancing For A
Difference” as a way for her staff and dancers to give
back.
Since 2003, the studio’s Dancing For A Difference
program has sponsored a variety of activities and events
to raise money for the community, including Bring A
Friend to the Studio for National Dance Week, A Unity
in Community 5K Run, Relay for Life teams and various
variety shows that have included the studio’s own dancers
as well as groups from the community.
Dancing For A Difference, which officially became
a nonprofit organization in 2008, gives students the
opportunity to do what they love – dancing and performing
– while making a difference in the lives of others, says
Opfermann.
“All of the studio dancers and families are invited to get
involved in some capacity,” she explains. “They can do so
either by volunteering, making a donation or performing.
We usually have about 60 to 100 dancers from the studio
involved in the benefit performances. Additional children
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