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2nd Open House & Food Drive
Dance and Martial Arts in One Building
Published: Wednesday, December 9, 2009
(NOTE: This article is reprinted with the kind permission of the MS Area Newspapers, www.MtShastaNews.com)
Inside an unassuming pre-fab building on the north end of Mount Shasta, local parents and children are at times amazed to see the modern facilities.
The activities being offered show how much fun it can be to express yourself through movement.
Many are already familiar with the dynamic activities offered by the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program, led by black belts Peter Halt and Chuck Buhs. Now joining them in this same non-descript building at 1020 N. Mt. Shasta Blvd. is a Mount Shasta institution, Nuria’s Dance Academy.
With a degree in dance from the Boston Conservatory of Music, California state teaching credentials, and over 25 years experience as a professional Flamenco dancer, owner Nuria Llovet has built three academies from scratch and knows well the qualities of a good dance facility.
“This new, second Nuria’s Dance Academy was built specifically for dancing, and I feel very blessed that I was asked to continue teaching in such a great place,” Nuria said.
Between Nuria’s dance offerings and MSMAP martial arts activities, activities are available for all ages.
Beginning in the early afternoon, the Family Activity Center is busy with dance classes and the enthusiasm of the Tiny Tigers. Later, the teens and adults show up for more focused and serious training in either dance, taekwondo, or yongmudo (Korean mixed-martial arts).
Darla Andreozzi’s family is taking advantage of the activities with a daughter in dance and a son in yongmudo. “There is no confusion where the children need to be picked up or if by another family member. When their classes are at the same time it is an added convenience.”
The physical training discipline required for both dance and martial arts reinforces long-term positive characteristics in children, teens, and adults aside from the health benefits, according to a press release.
“I feel that dance is so very important for the balanced growth of children as well as adults,” says Miss Nuria as she is known by her younger students. “When we dance, we concentrate on putting our bodies in motion and forget everything else.”
Andreozzi supports Nuria’s comments. “Our children are developing deeper, quality social skills while enhancing their physical strength with grace and balance,” she says.
The collective international experience of the instructors — Llovet has accreditation through the Instituto of Theater of Barcelona, Spain; Buhs has a 5th degree black belt through the taekwondo headquarter in Korea — creates an exceptional opportunity for learning.
“Our instructors are wonderful with our children providing challenging yet attainable goals, maintaining control of the classes all while making it fun and enjoyable for the participants and spectators alike,” said Andreozzi. “These classes are creating a lifetime of memories for the entire family.”
“Teaching has been my life and passion,” says Nuria.
Nuria’s Dance Academy and MSMAP invite local families to attend an Open House on Wednesday, Dec. 16 [2009] from 4:30 to 7pm. Visitors can see dancing and martial arts demonstrations. Additionally, raffle prizes donated by local businesses will be awarded to a few lucky attendees.
And, in the spirit of giving for the holidays, visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for seniors to be donated to Meals on Wheels Aux., a subdivision of Alliance for Humanity (est. 1983; www.MealsOnWheelsShasta.com ).
More information is available on the MSMAP web site, www.MtShastaMA.org/open_house/ .
Read a summary about the 2009 Open House & Holiday Food Drive including how much food was collected and a list of support from local businesses:
2009 Open House & Holiday Food Drive
Newspaper Articles
We've been doing the Open House for over a decade. Learn a little more about what previous events were like.
Go to: What is Taekwondo?Go to: What is Yongmudo?
