Page 39 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2017

permanent home 22 years ago in a studio a block off U.S. 90. She went from offering two to three classes a day on weekdays to now having 64 classes a week with seven instructors and the studio sometimes going seven days a week. She accepts students from toddlers who are out of diapers up to adults who need their dance skills to remain fresh.
Burke believes that ballet is the core for dance because the students learn balance, flexibility, control, discipline and range of motion. From there, students can branch out to jazz, tap, hip hop and contemporary.
She has taught up to three generations now, and has seen an overall change in the students.
“Technique and conditioning has gotten much stronger. The kids love
the conditioning because we are in a world where body and looks are very important,” Burke said. “But on the other side, I find their attention span and listening skills are not as sharp. It’s confusing to me because they can dance better.”
Another big part of the dance scene now are the competitions that are held during dance conventions across the country. Donna’s Visual and Performing Arts Centre has DKG, a 73-member competition team. In addition, the center holds a Christmas show each December in the Saenger Theatre in Biloxi, and a recital each May at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
Last year, Burke was one of five women to be recognized during the 10th annual Celebration of Caring Women Awards. She received the Mentor Award for the attention she gives her students as they grow into young adults. Natalia Diaz, a mother of one of Donna’s students, nominated her.
“It seems impossible to imagine how one woman can make such an impact
on so many people,” Diaz said. “Ms. Donna has consistently been able to not just provide dance industry’s highest standard of dance education, but has lent an empathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on for generations of students on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
The dance gene runs strong in Burke’s family. Her two daughters, Jenelle Rametta and Keri Nettles, grew up dancing. Jenelle works at her mother’s dance center as a teacher, and is head of the competition dance team. Keri’s daughter, Ally Icahino, 18, just finished a three month stint at Walt Disney World dancing in the Christmas show. Jenelle’s daughter, Ari Rametta, 8, is a promising talent.
“Every time I’m lying on the floor, stretching my legs and looking up at the ceiling, I wonder what I’m still doing here. That’s why I say ‘the dinosaur is still kicking,’” Burke said with a laugh as she looks forward to the next 10 years in dance.
FAR LEFT: Ally Icahino, Donna
Burke’s granddaughter, dancing in a competition.
ABOVE LEFT: Celebrating after a win at a dance competition were, from left, Alanna Lee, Ally Iachino and Jenelle Rametta.
ABOVE IGHT: Donna Burke, far right, with two instructors, Marissa Busby and Tiffany Glavan, and a ballet class. BELOW: Donna Burke reacts to a T-shirt that her daughter, Jenelle Rametta, is wearing that outlines what is needed to be a good teacher.
Donna’s Visual & Performing Arts Centre
2428 W. Commerce St., Ocean Springs 228.875.0833 www.donnasdance.net
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April 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 39