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Performing Arts Center opens

Though the Vandalia Performing Arts Center has been open only a couple of months, it already offers a full lineup of activities for young gymnasts, dancers and aspiring cheerleaders.

“Our mission,” said owner Kelly Emerick, “is to provide quality instruction in a positive and affordable environment.”
Located in the old Day N Nite building at 427 W. Orchard St., the center offers a variety of classes, primarily in the late afternoons and evenings on weekdays. Participants range in age from 2-year-olds to teens.
In addition to Emerick, instructors for the classes include Ellie Ehrat, Ashley Smith and Billy Worker.
“All of our instructors have extensive experience working with children, and are able to focus on building self-esteem, as well as teaching skills,” Emerick said. “Most of us have our own children, so we are very well equipped to work with children of all ages.”
In addition to the regular classes in jazz dancing, ballet, gymnastics and cheerleading, the center this fall will introduce performance teams in acrobatics, ballet, cheerleading and jazz dancing.
Registration for the fall classes will be held this Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the center.
Emerick has more than 10 years of experience teaching and choreographing dance and gymnastics performances. Before opening the Vandalia Performing Arts Center, she coached in Orlando and Tallahassee, Fla., as well as in Marion and Effingham, Ill.
"My goal is to provide the type of environment that I would want someone else to give my children," she said.

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