Stepping beyond ballet

Published 10:00 am Wednesday, September 27, 2006

POULSBO — Just because it’s a “school of dance” doesn’t mean that’s all there is to the Galletta School of Dance.

Located next to Curves in Poulsbo Village, the business offers everything from ballet and acting to private voice lessons.

“We’re more than a dance school, we’re a performing arts group,” said school director Lynn Galletta.

Since it opened in April, the school has attracted students of all ages including performing arts professionals who are seeking to further their careers, Galletta said.

“Here you can go as far as you want to go,” she said.

After a successful dancing career of her own, which included stints with several prestigious performing arts groups, opening her own studio was the result of a combination of unrelated events that came together to make it happen, she said.

“It was kind of kismet, and everything fell into place at just the right time,” Galletta said, adding that “kismet” is the Turkish word for fate or fortune.

The idea of opening her own studio had been with her for a long time, but until she heard about the open space in Poulsbo Village, it just hadn’t happened, she said.

“It just kind of fell into my lap when I came over and toured it,” she said. “I signed the agreement the next day.”

As soon as word of her plans got out, several of her friends and others she had met during her career began asking what they could do to help, she said.

“I’ve just been very fortunate to have everything work out the way it has,” Galletta said.

With a choreographer and voice teacher already in place, Galletta said she hopes to unveil the school’s talent during the holiday season.

“We’re working on ‘Scrooge’ based in Poulsbo, where we’ll have a narrator and dancers and actors illustrating the scenes,” she said.

Once a venue for the event is found, Galletta said her hope is that the community will come see the wealth of local talent that abounds throughout the North End.

With school in session, more students are finding their way to the business, and its location has proven to be a valuable asset, she said.

“The location’s great, because it’s close to everywhere,” she said, adding that many parents use the hour long sessions to run errands while their children are in classes.

As the school continues gaining popularity and interest through word-of-mouth, it already has room for expansion once its enrollment reaches about 50 students, she said.

Interested students and parents are encouraged to visit the 8th Avenue business and check things out any day of the week, she said.

“Stop by and see what it’s like,” Galletta said.