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Ramona Dance Centre says farewell

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This year’s Ramona Dance Centre production of “A Star Studded Tea Party” will be its last.

Owner and Artistic Director Chi Varnado has been teaching dance for 37 years. The studio’s signature has been its story ballets that include all the various dance styles as well as tumbling. Varnado believes that this cohesive work of art, in which all the students can participate, is more rewarding to the performers and the audience than what a typical dance recital can provide.

“Younger students are involved with the more advanced dancers and can see what they’re aspiring to,” she said.

“But, all good things must come to an end,” said Varnado. “Unfortunately, I can’t keep doing this forever. I still love what I do and wish I could do everything that calls to me. But there’s that thing about being human. Something’s got to give in order to keep growing, as a person. There are so many things out there in this world to learn about and pursue, and I feel that it’s time for me to make room in my life to follow other paths.”

Varnado grew up dancing classical ballet and competing in gymnastics along with a medley of other dance forms. Besides playing piano and guitar, she studied music theory in college. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in dance from San Diego State University and later added two teaching credentials: elementary and secondary.

She has taught in Ramona, Del Mar, Borrego Springs, Poway — and has choreographed for the Coronado Playhouse, Quinceaneras, weddings, reunions and private appointments. In the early 1980s she taught creative movement to the children at Ramona Community School when it first formed off Mussey Grade Road, before it became a public school and moved into town.

In December of 2014, Ramona Dance Centre combined one of its performances of “The Nutcracker” with a reunion. Varnado saw many old friends that Saturday afternoon, noting there are “thousands of Dance Centre alumni out there.” One former student, Erica Buechner, completed her master’s degree in dance and has her own company in San Diego. She was one of the guest performers at the reunion performance.

The studio’s productions have included: “Peter and the Wolf,” “Fantasia,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Hansel and Gretel,” “Cinderella,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Mary Poppins,” “Sound of Music,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Giselle,” “Peter Pan,” “Danced Away Slippers,” “Coppelia,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Swan Lake,” “Cats,” “Pied Piper,” “Carmen,” “Firebird,” “Center Stage” featuring “La Sylphide,” “The Nutcracker,” “Cedar Fire Medley,” “Spring Fever,” “La Fille Mal Garde,” “Rapunzel,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Snow White.”

In the summer of 2010, Nicole Klinicke, Varnado’s co-teacher for gymnastics, organized a group of the advanced dancers to remodel the studio. They painted fresh new colors on the walls and enjoyed sharing time together. Varnado applied new coats of finish to the floor, and the space was transformed.

The studio is known for its unique approach to the performance arts. Some of the ballets have been performed to live music.

“We’re like a family here,” said Varnado. “We get to know each other well and are very supportive of each dancer’s hard work and dedication. After all, dance should be joyful while at the same time aspiring to strengthen our technique.”

This season’s performance, titled “A Star Studded Tea Party,” is a unique dance story that the advanced dancers and Varnado collaborated on.

The public is invited to attend the Dance Centre’s final production on Friday, April 15, at the Charles R. Nunn Performing Arts Center at Olive Peirce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be $5 each or $20 per family at the door. Come be entertained and join them for a classic tea party following the performance.

For more information, visit www.ramonadancecentre.com or www.chivarnado.com or call 760-789-8532.

“Thank you, Ramona, for supporting us all these years,” said Varnado.

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