Final Curtain
Sharing the love of story ballet with those who wish to learn and perform has always been the desire that drives Diana Ephlin. Known to staff and students as Miss Diana, she has been the owner of The Dancin’ Place since 1981. Now, as an octogenarian, she is ready to retire and has found a kindred spirit to carry on the traditions she began. After Ephlin directs her final production of Cinderella, Catherine Borrone will assume leadership.
The Dancin’ Place has never sent teams to competitions but instead focuses on training with the goal of producing performances that tell stories from fairy tales or classic literature. Every December the studio presents The Nutcracker. In late May, another ballet is offered to the community. This year, Cinderella will be held May 30 at 7 p.m. and May 31 at 1 p.m. at Noblesville High School. The public can purchase tickets at the door.
In the summer, the dance school’s musical theater, Stone Soup, stages a production. Annie will be presented at Noblesville High School on July 17 at 7 p.m. and July 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. According to Ephlin, proceeds from each production fund the upcoming one. In addition, Ephlin created a nonprofit, White River Ballet Company, to ensure that dance classes would be available to all students, regardless of their financial situation. It is funded through donations and fundraisers such as dine-to-donate events and Butter Braid sales.
“White River Ballet Company is the nonprofit entity of the studio; it provides merit-based scholarships. Dance is for everyone. We are diverse and students with disabilities are welcome. I started taking dance lessons when I was 3 years old. Growing up, I took classes almost every day. Some of the teaching was very strict. At The Dancin’ Place we have collective correction. We never call out people’s names. We demonstrate what it looks like. The students learn by watching,” Ephlin says.
“I always wanted my own studio and to do story ballet. When we moved here, I was teaching at a studio and the owner asked if I wanted to take it over. After the first year, my dear friend Shannon Jenkins joined me in ownership. We did our first Nutcracker in 1982. It was just wonderful. I was so happy. Shannon retired 10 years ago but we still talk every day. Now I’m ready to retire and here comes darling Catherine who loves story ballet and children’s musicals,” Ephlin says.
Originally from New Hampshire, Borrone lived in New York City for several years. She danced professionally and taught for some of the companies she was involved with. She realized she loved teaching.
When she and her husband tired of big-city life, they decided to move to Indiana to be closer to family. She was an instructor at The Dancin’ Place when Ephlin approached her.
“I am more than honored for Miss Diana to consider me to take over the studio. It was a dream of mine to open my own studio and keep the tradition of ballet storytelling alive by bringing it to modern audiences. I’ve taught ages 2 1/2 to 82. I love all the little personalities. Students try something so many times and then they get it, it clicks. It’s a wonderful feeling to witness the joy that comes on their faces,” Borrone says.
Borrone plans to keep the studio’s performance traditions alive within a noncompetitive environment that is fun, but serious about teaching beginning and advanced ballet, lyrical, tap and even hip-hop. She plans to implement adult classes both for those who may have done it as a child as well as people who always wanted to try it but never got the chance. Ephlin will help with the transition by continuing to teach younger students every Tuesday.
Auditions for the summer musical will be held at the studio Saturday, May 23, from noon to 3 p.m. Experience is recommended but not required; there is some kind of part for anyone who wishes to participate. Rehearsals begin June 1 and are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon.
“Having the studio has always been a joy. I remember a moment when I looked at the smiling faces of the kids. I realized I was finally getting to do what I wanted to do,” Ephlin says.
The Dancin’ Place is on Facebook and Instagram. Visit them online at thedancinplace.com. For more information, email cjborrone@gmail.com.
