Retired dance teacher now teaches for free

Editor's note: There are many who quietly serve in their communities without fanfare or accolades. Mormon Times asked for suggestions of people who have holiday service traditions to share their stories. Here is the first of what will be two per day this week.

SPANISH FORK, Utah — The first time the Spirit told Karen Campbell to teach children in her ward to dance for free, she brushed off the notion.

The second time, she told the Lord she was tired and didn't have the time.

The third time, she realized she had better heed the prompting.

So today, the retired former dance teacher is busy as she can be — teaching children in her Spanish Fork Riverview LDS Ward ballet positions, how to pirouette, twirl and sway.

At 66, she creates dances, helps her students learn the steps and organizes annual Christmas and Easter recitals that allow her new dancers the chance to perform for an audience.

__IMAGE1__Her students range in age from 3 years to 10 and include a couple of physically challenged youngsters.

All comers are welcome, as long as they commit to coming once a week to rehearsals.

There's no charge for Campbell's instruction, and costumes are low budget, either sewn by parents or by the Relief Society sisters in the Riverview Ward on Super Saturday.
The lessons are a boon to the area, the mothers say.

"We wouldn't be able to afford it (dance lessons)," Jenni Fredericks said.

"I would say none of them would be in dance without her," said Lauree Roberts, who has two daughters in Campbell's classes. "So many dads in our ward have lost their jobs."

"Karen has such a big heart. She really makes the world a better place," Lon Young, Campbell's bishop, said. "She treats the boys and girls as though they were her own grandchildren. She showers them with love and with service and with a lot of fun, too. My own children have been blessed with being in her dance classes."

Roberts said although the economic benefit is remarkable, the real blessing from the classes is the opportunity the girls get to work and perform together.

The girls (and the occasional boy) get a visible boost in their self-esteem especially as some are asked by Campbell to "teach" the younger girls.

"Here, we get a chance to try things we don't know," said Samantha Roberts, a 10-year-old dancer.

"I think I've been taking dance lessons since I was probably just barely 10," Kassidy Thorpe said. "It's very good. She's a really great teacher. She makes up really, really, good dances."

Campbell's daughter-in-law, Kim, said Karen Campbell started teaching in Utah when her daughters were very small. Before that she had her own dance school in California.

At one time, Campbell had up to 150 students in her Orem Lakeview Stake, where she taught for 13 years and even danced in the "Nutcracker" one year.

She doesn't have to advertise. Word-of-mouth keeps her numbers up. Usually parents are amazed that the classes cost them nothing.

Campbell doesn't really see herself as sacrificing or particularly generous

"I am so grateful that I can do this for nothing. I get a satisfaction from it that can't be measured," she said. "I love it."

E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com