EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — It's another night of teaching the next generation of dancers inside Elevé Dance Theater in East Stroudsburg. For instructor Deidre Sears, teaching this class is about more than choreography.
"I think with art itself and the performing arts, it's just a way I feel, or I believe that young people can use that as a tool and as an outlet to express themselves," Sears said.
Using that tool, Sears started dancing when she was 7 years old at a studio in New Jersey. The movement throughout the years helped her find herself.
"It allowed me to really stand on my own and to find my own voice. I can say it was my therapy. Without dance, I don't know where I would be. It saved my life in different ways."
Dance sparked her passion to start a career on the stage.
Ten years ago, she opened Elevé inside a church before it moved to this space along Route 209 in East Stroudsburg.
Sears says there's often a stereotype in dancing that goes far beyond weight and height requirements, and she's hoping to teach girls that can dance can be inclusive.
"I really try to show them, yes, we do have American ballet theater, but you also have dancers that look just you. You know, you also have the opportunity to be able to be on that stage and make strides and as I may be an inspiration to you, you might be an inspiration to someone else."
During Black History Month, the Monroe County Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is honoring Sears and a few others at their annual luncheon, called The Art of Worship, later this month.
Sears Says she's humbled to be honored, and her focus remains on teaching her dance students about their culture.
"We come from a very colorful background. We, as a people, we are very colorful people with our culture alone, the music, the food, and everything like that. It is very important to celebrate. It is very important for our children to understand the history, where it's good or bad, or to know where you came from and the ability to see where we're going."
Sears says she'll continue empowering and helping dancers of all ages and ethnicities find their voice through movement.