Rutland dancers perform at Beauty in Diversity benefit

This past weekend, Feb. 4-5, seven dancers from Cobra Gymnastics & Dance Center performed in the seventh annual Dance Showcase-Beauty in Diversity, to benefit Puppets in Education at the Main Street Landing Black Box Theatre in Burlington.
Cobra Gymnastics & Dance Center was invited to participate in the fundraising dance event after a local past performance was viewed by Operations Director Sarah Vogelsand-Card.
The dance piece represented the personal struggle of carrying judgement and past mistakes.  Throughout the dance, the dancers released these burdens and illuminated the stage with seven glowing orbs that represented the seven chakra centers. Led by their teacher, Shelby Collett, the girls founds strength and beauty inside of the powerful dance. Coupling acts of athletic gymnastics and delicate dance moves, the piece was well received. The young Rutland area dancers included Maleah Jones, Karena Kuehl, Mia Marsh, Lili Zens, Ella Tashjian and MaKenna Greene.
Puppets in Education (PiE) is in their 35th year; 100 percent of proceeds from the event went to support their programs, which teaches children how to keep themselves safe and healthy and to appreciate each others differences. With life-sized puppets, PiE reaches over 10,000 children each year throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and New York with their 22 programs, including: disability awareness, abuse prevention, bullies and school safety, cultural diversity, healthy bodies, children’s mental health, alcohol/tobacco/drug prevention, Blue (keeping Lake Champlain clean and blue) and demystifying autism.
For more information  visit PuppetsInEducation.org.