Faith takes center stage at Battle Ground dance studio

   Mindy Blanton may not have had all the experience she needed when she was given an opportunity to take over as artistic director of a dance studio.

    But, she said, her faith was strong and she believed that God had put her in the right place at the right time.

    Blanton started dancing at the age of 5, and owning a studio had been a dream of hers for a long time. The woman she apprenticed under decided to perform mission work in Guatemala and offered to sell her the business in 1999.

    “I think God knows what He’s doing in our lives,” she said. “Even though I was young at the time, I think he prepares people and accomplished His will.”

    Confident that she was exactly where she needed to be, and armed with a desire and passion for excellence, she set out to learn the daily business of managing a studio. Blanton has owned the Battle Ground-based Joy of Dance since that time. Over a decade later, the 32-year-old teacher manages schedules, provides instruction and enforces curriculum at her studio.

    The Joy of Dance studio is guided by Christian values. Dance is an expression of divinity, and is considered a way to serve God. Blanton said she and her teachers take time to pray in every class and view their work as a sort of ministry.

    “This is an opportunity for children to be trained to a ministry,” she said. “Dance is just another form of worship – like singing. It’s our desire to glorify God in all things.”

    In the secular dance community, Blanton added, dance is “self-based” meaning it is performed more for a sense of aesthetics.

    Performances of students from Joy of Dance are done as a ministry and dancers are taken to retirement homes, schools, churches and service groups.

    Even though the class has a mission, instruction is still based in classical ballet training and pointe work. Adult classes were added last year. Blanton said because their studio places a focus on ministry work, it is a good place for adult dancers curious about ballet to start.

    “I think the good thing about us is that anyone can come and dance because we are not doing it for ourselves, we are doing it for God,” she said. “There are a lot of adults who come to us who are maybe not as flexible, or don’t have the training, but anyone is welcome.”

    Dancers who would like to condition their bodies to be more flexible and strong can also take pilates courses from Blanton.

    Call ahead to register for a class or stop by the studio for a schedule. A new website should feature an updated schedule once it is complete at www. joyofdanceschool.com.

    The Joy of Dance is located 711 E Main St., Battle Ground, (360) 666-2443.