Simon and Miles, both 10 years old, became friends three years ago during one of Mr. Jesse’s break dancing classes. Each of their moms had put them into the class for different reasons.

“When I was six years old,” Miles said, “I would just dance with my feet around the house. My mom was friends with Miss Erin, so she signed me up for dance.”

“And my mom thought it would be good for me to take dance because I have a ton of energy,” Simon said. “Dance helps get that energy out, and I like the movement!”

Last year, Simon and Miles again took breakdancing together with Mr. Jesse, and Tap with Miss Erin. This year, they are again taking Tap with Miss Erin, and are also branching out into Jazz with Miss Brooke, and Musical Theater with Miss Brittany.

Miles

“It feels good to have Simon around because it makes me feel more comfortable,” Miles said. “Sometimes I feel like I can’t relate to girls, so it’s really nice having another boy in my class.”

Miles has seen a change in himself since starting dance at Bloom. Being around a group of safe people each week has encouraged him to open up.

“Before dance, I didn’t really want to be around people,” Miles said. “I never hung out as much. But once I started dance, I started to talk with the people inside of my class.”

Simon

“I don’t know if I’ve really changed [since starting dance] … I am still obnoxious from time to time” Simon said, with a wink.

Obnoxious or not, Simon’s mom, Michelle, has seen change in her son’s confidence, as well as an improvement with his agility in football!

Miss Erin, Miss Brooke, and Miss Brittany believe Miles and Simon add a lot to their classes.

“These are two hard working dancers who really bring a lot of fun and joy and inspiration to the classroom,” Miss Erin said. “I would like to see them grow up and teach tapper classes!”

Becoming a dance teacher is in Miles’s plan.

“In the future, if I could, I would probably bring this dance into a career and teach,” Miles said. “I love moving around and expressing myself, and I would love it if I could help others do the same!”

At Bloom, we love hearing stories of how dance has changed the lives of our students! And what we love even more is seeing how our excitement to share what we love--dance--with our students rubs off on them, and encourages students like Simon and Miles to share that excitement with others too!