Community Celebrates En Pointe Dance Recital, Over 120 Students Shine

En Pointe School of Dance brought families and neighbors together on December 7 for its annual Christmas recital at Duane Smith Auditorium. The performance, led by owner and director Neslihan Ceren, featured a mix of classical and contemporary choreography by more than 120 students and continued a long standing holiday tradition in Los Alamos County.

Programs represented on stage ranged from Dance Exploration and Pre Ballet through Ballet Levels 1 through 3 with Pointe, along with Jazz, Hip Hop, Belly Dance, Bollywood Fusion, Adult Contemporary, and competition team training. The breadth of offerings reflected the studio's focus on technical skill development, creative expression, and accessible opportunities for dancers of many ages.

Organizers acknowledged the contributions of the YMCA, parents, teaching staff Veronica Soran, Megan Hemphill, Kelly Dolejsi, and Samantha Riedel, as well as local business support from Venusto Salon and Diana Rascon. Those partnerships helped stage the recital and reinforced the community network that supports arts programming in the county.

Beyond celebration, the recital highlighted several public health and social equity implications for Los Alamos. Dance classes provide regular physical activity that supports cardiovascular health, coordination, and injury prevention when taught safely. Participation also supports emotional wellbeing by building confidence, offering structured social connection, and providing constructive outlets for youth. In a small community, performances like this reduce social isolation and create intergenerational gathering points that strengthen local resilience.

At the same time, sustaining broad access to arts education requires attention to equity. Cost barriers, competing family demands, and limited public support can restrict who benefits from programs. As local leaders and funders consider investments in community health and youth services, supporting after school arts, partnership opportunities with schools and the YMCA, and scholarship programs can expand reach to children facing economic or transportation challenges.

The recital closed the weekend with applause and seasonal cheer, leaving performers, instructors, and families with a shared sense of accomplishment. For many in Los Alamos County, En Pointe's annual show remains a visible reminder that community health includes cultural life as well as clinical care.