I love any kind of dancing, even if, alas, only as a spectator. From tango to jazz, contemporary and ballet and anything in between and I am mesmerized. 

I have not taken up several invitations to go to dancing events mostly because of parking problems. To have to go round in circles trying to find parking - unless you start off a good hour and a half before - spoils the enjoyment. And although sometimes I do take a taxi this cannot become the rule or it will disturb my bank balance.

However I did accept an invitation to the concert of Creative Dance Studio which was recently held at the Junior College Auditorium, Msida. I am well acquainted with this building since both my daughters went to Sixth Form there and finally picked up enough Maltese to pass their Matric.  I knew if I went reasonably early parking would be easy.

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I love anything that is visually beautiful and of course apart from the choreography ballet is an exercise in aesthetics; a combination of  young people of all ages (who seem all goodlooking from the auditorium) and an array of tutus and other attractive costumes all enhance life.

 The very young ones look so innocent and one wants to hug each and every one of them and congratulate them - and their teachers - for doing so well.

You may get the rare male occasionally but generally here most men would not even consider attending a dance production (unless their child was taking part)  let alone participate in one or have their sons do so  - too sissy, they will tell you.

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The Creative Dance Studio which Clarissa Borg, its Artistic Director, founded in 1999 had organised the event. That afternoon the programme was varied and divided into the four seasons. We had frogs, little lady bugs and daffodils. Then there were honey bees and poppies. Pirates and sailors, too, made a colourful appearance. There was a 'harvest feast,' 'winds of winter' and 'winter storm.'

Apart from the visual pleasure there was also the music: Strauss, Delibes, Smetana and Grieg, Bach, Vivaldi and of course Tchiakovsky. Who isn't acquainted with the latter's ballet scores: The Sleeping Beauty,  Swanlake, Nutcracker and Romeo and Juliet to name but a handful. Listening to these nobody can be in any doubt that Tchiakovsky had a massive talent for creating highly melodic, catchy tunes - which is one of the main reasons that his ballets are performed so often to this day.

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After the enjoyable show I asked Clarissa why teach children dance? What is to be gained by it? She told me that it is a good source of fun exercise for young children and also a creative outlet, "an outlet for imagination and emotion. It teaches the values and skills of creativity and expression. And dance classes expose children to music, to different rhythms and tempos, thus developing musical awareness at a very young age. Dance education also aids the development of kinesthetic intelligence,  Clarissa, who has several dance qualifications, continues. It develops strength and endurance from an early age.

And then there is also the social aspect to learning dance. "Being part of a group in a dance class promotes the importance of teamwork and develops the ability to work successfully in a group environment. The process of learning a dance routine also helps a child learn patience, listening and leadership skills as they start to help each other with learning and practicing the steps."

They also learn to accept that it is okay not to be able to do everything first time and that you should feel confident enough to ask for help, either from the teacher or from another student.

Even if a child does not choose a career in dancing, dance is a good source of fun exercise for young children and also a creative outlet, "an outlet for imagination and emotion. It teaches the values and skills of creativity and expression."

Dance education also improves a child's co-ordination, especially at a time when they are rapidly developing. It teaches the children how to move with control, poise and confidence. Children become more aware of their bodies and how they move through space.

Dance classes expose children to music, to different rhythms and tempos, thus developing musical awareness at a very young age. It aids the development of kinesthetic intelligence. It also develops strength and endurance from an early age.

There is also the social aspect to learning dance. 
Being part of a group in a dance class promotes the importance of teamwork and develops the ability to work successfully in a group environment. The process of learning a dance routine also helps a child learn patience, listening and leadership skills as they start to help each other with learning and practicing the steps. They also learn to accept that it is okay not to be able to do everything first time and that you should feel confident enough to ask for help, either from the teacher or from another student.

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 Clarissa says that dance has given her the chance to travel and see many countries.

Her work as a dance teacher and choreographer is mainly in the classical ballet faculty.  She is also responsible for the daily running of the school overseeing all the faculties both from an academic and theatrical point of view.

During her dance training Clarissa also graduated from the University of Malta with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Communications. "The school is committed to producing all-round dancers through quality dance training, education and performance opportunities," says this energetic and gifted woman.

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Well to those who claim that 'ballet is dying' I will say one thing  There are a number of very good dance schools in Malta and it doesn't seem so to me. Apart from the aesthetics of it all even those of a certain age would certainly benefit from a bit of prancing around to help us shed a few kilos. We don't have to wear a tutu.

Seriously, I am so glad I went to this multi-layered show. I take my hat off to the teachers/choreographers who with so much patience introduce children to beauty and music and other things which make life worth living.  The show was enjoyable for its choreographic variety and well as for individual skills.