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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