At Canton Ballet, we believe in planting the seeds of artistry and confidence from the very beginning. Our Children Division introduces young dancers to the joy of movement while building the foundations of discipline, coordination, and imagination.
This month, we sat down with Julie Mizer Grasse, Canton Ballet alumna, former company member, and now Early Childhood Specialist and Lower School Principal. Julie shares her journey, her teaching philosophy, and why she believes the early years are so important for young dancers.
Q: Julie, can you tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to pursue teaching?
A: “I am a proud alumna of Canton Ballet and had the privilege of being a company member in the very early years under the artistic direction of our co-founder, Suanne Ferguson. She made ballet so much fun with her positive attitude and ever-present smile. She made me want to dance forever.
As I got older, our assistant director noticed something in me and asked me to teach company class, even though I was still in the company. That lit a fire in me, and I knew I could be a successful teacher. After graduating from the University of Akron, I began teaching. I still love seeing that ‘AHA!’ moment on a child’s face when they master a step.”
Q: What makes Canton Ballet’s Children Division stand out from other dance schools?
A: “Many dance schools place their youngest, least experienced teachers with their youngest students. Canton Ballet is just the opposite. I have over 40 years of teaching experience. We value our ‘littles,’ as I like to call them. I have a unique skill set to teach them, as I was in a nursery school classroom for over 30 years. During that time, I was fortunate to be mentored by many experienced teachers and given the opportunity to attend yearly workshops and seminars on early childhood development. I maintain my early childhood certification.
Our class syllabus is developmentally appropriate at every level. One way Canton Ballet recognizes the importance of children at every age and stage is by separating the age levels: three-year-olds with three-year-olds, four-year-olds with four-year-olds, and so on. A three-year-old has very different needs than a five-year-old. In this way, I can meet the needs of each child where they are in their development.”
Q: How do your classes help with motor skill development?
A: “From a child’s first steps, I incorporate movement that is both natural to a child and an appropriate challenge for them. I always want to push my dancers to learn more complicated steps, but it must be done with realistic expectations for their age so they can experience success. This is where my education and experience come in, as I know what a reasonable expectation is for a three-year-old, a four-year-old, or a five-year-old.”
Q: How do you foster creativity and imagination?
A: “Imagination is as important to children as the air they breathe! It helps them to develop creativity, problem-solving skills, resiliency, curiosity, and innovation, to name just a few! Imagination is so important to a child’s development that it’s woven into every class.
The props that the children use in class—such as instruments, bean bags, scarves, or hula hoops—enhance their imagination. We alternate imaginative games with structured ballet basics, so children learn focus, respect, and discipline while still feeling the joy and freedom of dance.”
Q: How do you balance structure and play?
A: “I always like to tell the parents that we are having pure fun in class, and I am sneaking the learning in! Play is part of the class, so they don’t necessarily recognize that they are learning. All my classes follow a predictable routine, and I set expectations for the dancers. The discipline that the dancers learn carries with them throughout their life. My classes are very organized; they move along quickly so as not to lose the children’s focus. And honestly, I have as much fun as they do!”
Q: What long-term benefits do you see for early starters?
A: “Our toddler class allows the children to become acquainted with me while they still have an accompanying adult with them. When it comes time for them to move into the three-year-old class, it’s an easy transition because they already know me and are familiar with the studio.
Not everyone starts as a toddler, however. But starting dance at two, three, or four years old, they gain coordination at an earlier age when they are exposed to moving their bodies in different ways than they might at home, for example. Studies have shown that children who are given the opportunity to dance at a young age grow up to be healthier adults, as the concept of moving the body sticks with them. When a child learns that they can master a step and control their body in class, it slowly becomes a realization to them that they can control themselves in any situation.”
Q: What do you hope every child takes away from your classes?
A: “A happy memory. A feeling of being loved and nurtured. An air of confidence. A child may not remember the words you said to them, but they remember the way you made them feel. I want every student who has come into my classroom to fondly remember that I made them feel like they were the most important and valued dancer in the room.”
Quick Facts: Children Division
Ages: Toddler – 6 years old
Focus: Ballet basics, gross & fine motor development, creativity through movement.
Benefits: Confidence, discipline, teamwork, academic preparedness, appreciation of the arts.
Location: Canton Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave. N, Canton, OH.
Enroll: Visit cantonballet.com or call 330-455-7220
Canton Ballet’s Early Childhood Program is more than an introduction to dance — it’s the beginning of a journey in confidence, creativity, and community. With the guidance of dedicated teachers like Julie Mizer Grasse, our youngest dancers discover not just the steps of ballet, but the joy of expression and the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of the arts.
