Dancers in Jane Kellam's Show Biz Dance program in Menlo Park find camaraderie, confidence. Dancers in Jane Kellam's Show Biz Dance program in Menlo Park find camaraderie, confidence. (June 08, 2005)

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

Jane Kellam's arms fly up so smoothly that the daffodil-colored crystals around her neck barely sway.

"It's very powerful to move your body to a beat and feel grounded, and know you are blending with the music," she says.

Now she's up out of her chair, transported by answering the question she's probably been asked all her life: Why do you love dance?

"I like dancing with groups," she continues. "I like matching up with people. You look in the mirror and see if your arms look the same." She pauses on the verge of a pirouette. "There's beauty in being together."

This spirit of camaraderie is part of the reason Ms. Kellam's Show Biz Dance Program has been so popular for 20 years. Unlike many private studios, the program, which is housed in the city of Menlo Park's Burgess Recreation Center, does not focus on preparing for dance competitions.

"Most studios say, 'Do this to win first place,'" says Katie Salem, 20, a Show Biz dancer since age 3. "Jane's focus is lifelong dancing and movement and appreciation for your body."

Ms. Salem is now one of Show Biz Dance's instructors, and is poised to major in dance at San Jose State University. But not all of Ms. Kellam's students are such ambitious hoofers. Many progress more slowly, and lots do it just for the sheer enjoyment.

"She's patient with students," Ms. Salem says of her mentor. "She's willing to take the extra time and let each dancer develop."

These days, Show Biz dancers ranging from ages 5 to 18 have one thing in common: They're prepping for a performance honoring the program's 20th anniversary. "Boogie Shoes" will be held at Sequoia High School on June 10 and 11.

Show Biz dancers may not sweat over competitions, but they get the performing butterflies. That helps them build confidence, Ms. Kellam says.

That was true for Ms. Salem, who recalls: "I was very quiet. ... So my form of expression was with dance."
All that jazz

A show is also a chance to wear some dandy costumes. Closets in the Burgess dance room are packed with plastic bins labeled everything from "Silver glitter top hats" and "Sequins" to "Basic black pants" and "Gloves w/fingers."

"These are in really good shape," Ms. Kellam muses, slipping her hand through the red satin of a long-sleeved top.

Nowadays, young dancers like things flashy. Ms. Kellam's classes have traditionally centered on building technique in jazz dance, which has a ballet base and an emphasis on posture and strength.

Now she also offers hip hop, which is "lower and deeper to the ground," "funky," and popular with kids, she says.

Ms. Kellam adds matter-of-factly, "My really funky days are over," alluding to last year's back surgery. Watching her spry moves, though, an observer would be hard-pressed to find evidence of her surgery -- or age (54).

These days, Ms. Kellam teaches about 25 classes, including adult fitness and jazz, and hopes to add a ballet class for jazz dancers if she gets more space. Several Burgess rooms are used for child-care programs, which may move to the child-care center being built in the old Civic Center police building.

The teacher is also preparing to take more classes, probably from Berle Davis, who founded the Dance Arts Center in San Mateo. Ms. Kellam studied with him for years and danced in one of his professional groups.

Dance has always been close to home: Ms. Kellam's mother owned a studio in Chico, and Ms. Kellam once taught classes in her Atherton living room after marrying her husband, John, 30 years ago. Their son, Ray, ended up being more comfortable in skates than jazz shoes; he coaches and plays ice hockey.

No matter: His team photo is displayed proudly on Ms. Kellam's closet door at Burgess, surrounded by the bright faces of dancers from two decades.

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