Canonsburg studio helps students put new twist on dance
Students at Dance Extensions in Canonsburg perfect contortion techniques.
Performers from Dance Extensions in Canonsburg recently traveled to Los Angeles.
Betsy Shuttleworth runs a small studio in Canonsburg called Dance Extensions. However, their performances are anything but small.
Like many studios, Shuttleworth teaches a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical and contemporary. But what sets her and her students apart is contortion, moves that require extreme flexibility.
The “Le Petit” group in Shuttleworth’s studio includes girls that range from 11 to 14 years old. The group is known for incredible acrobatic stunts, which seem almost impossible to the average person.
Students showed off techniques where multiple girls connected to form a shape that wouldn’t be possible alone, which Shuttleworth refers to as “partner stunts.” Shuttleworth compares what she teaches to Cirque du Soleil, one of the largest circus performances in the world.
Students also learn a number of solo stunts.
Abby Richert, who has done “more performances than (she) could count,” is currently attempting a world record for a contortion technique called “the spider.”
On Feb. 12, Shuttleworth and her students traveled to Los Angeles, Calif., for a Le Petit Cirque performance, where nine students performed themed routines.
Shuttleworth said there were “two contortion routines, (where) one had four girls and one had five,” with mostly partner stunts during the two routines.
It took the class about a month to prepare.
The two routines were each holiday-themed, one for Valentine’s Day and the other for Christmas. While this was only their second time in LA, Shuttleworth and her class have been to Las Vegas, Nev., about 13 times. But this trip was a new experience for the girls because it was their first time traveling to a show without their parents.
Student Alexa Siksa said, “The shows are mostly contortion.”
Marissa Sprouse, who has been practicing in the studio for about four years, enjoys “the thrill of knowing that you (understand) a new trick.”
Marissa also discussed what she referred to as “full-costume performances,” where the girls dress up in full body costumes and wigs to make the performance livelier.
Contortion is unique as not all dance schools teach it.
“I feel like it makes us special,” Abby said.
Watch Abby do “the spider” at www.observer-reporter.com.
By Aaron York
Seventh grade, Commonwealth Connections