James Rada, Jr.
It seems as if Charley Bennett (pictured right) has been dancing all her life. She began taking lessons at age three, and this year and next, she will be touring with Artists Simply Human (ASH).
“It’s going to be a lot of fun, and I’ll gain a lot of experience,” said Charley, now age fourteen.
ASH brings together dancers, choreographers, students, and parents for dance events around the country.
Charley will be assisting the choreographers and helping teach the classes, but she will also be performing and getting her own instruction as well. “It’s exciting because you get to work with the choreographer one on one.” She will also dance in the final performances.
The tour will take her to sixteen different cities, beginning in October and running through next year.
“It’s a big commitment, but she loves it,” said Claire Bennett, Charley’s mother.
Charley began her dance instruction at the Sicilia Elower Studio in Thurmont. As her skills improved, she began to compete and attend dance conventions for further instruction. She currently dances four to five days a week.
“I do all types of dance, but I like contemporary the best,” said Charley. She also competes in many different types of dance, but her solo performances are always contemporary.
Before her tour begins, Charley will be participating in Nigel Lythgoe’s Celebration of Dance Gala in Los Angeles on September 10, 2016. Lythgoe, producer of American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, among other shows, founded the “Dizzy Feet Foundation” in 2009 and has since held the gala, co-hosting with active foundation members such as Katie Holmes. Charley was among eight dancers chosen from among sixty.
As for her future, Charley thinks she can make it as a professional dancer. “I’ve thought about moving to L.A. and joining a contemporary dance company or hip-hop crew. There are a lot of things you can do with dance.”
