Terry Sanders

Terry Sanders wishes she were introduced to ballet at a much

younger age. Her posture would have been better, her muscles more

toned and her cultural exposure broadened.

The 55-year-old Newport Beach resident is making up for lost time

not only by tying up her toe-shoes on a regular basis but by ensuring

that local children are introduced to the classic art form while they

still have time to take full advantage of it.

“I started ballet as an adult and it completely changed me,”

Sanders said. “I would love for these kids to get a chance at what

dance can do for them at a younger age.”

Sanders has volunteered at the Ballet Montmartre in Costa Mesa for

the past 20 years “in any way she can.” She assists the dance company

with its various outreach performances at local schools and most

recently has undertaken a major role in the company’s annual

fund-raiser gala.

She is passionate about gathering donations because she is

passionate about the art form and, more specifically, the Ballet

Montmartre.

“Ballet enhances just about any physical activity you do because

you have to be really centered and strong,” Sanders said. “I just

love it.”

Beyond the physicality of the movements, the fluidity of the

movements are deceitfully challenging and depict a constant aura of

grace, she added. Ballerinas can perform very difficult actions and

make it “all look so effortless and easy.”

Classic ballet is an art form many children do not have access to

as a result of school curriculum changes or a family’s financial

status, Sanders pointed out. The Ballet Montmartre offers that

elegance to all Newport-Mesa youth, even those who cannot afford such

training, Sanders said.

The funds raised at the charity gala in October will go to fund

various performances, interactive lectures, assemblies and dance

scholarships -- to those who qualify for assistance, Sanders said.

And hopefully the outreach efforts will succeed in recruiting

another up-and-coming ballerina before her 35th birthday.

-- Story by Lolita Harper,

photo by Sean Hiller