Dance Academy Keeps Teen on Her Toes

To many teenagers, an ideal summer is one spent at the beach, the mall or on vacation. Not for Valerie Rothenberg, however.

She’s spending her summer on her toes.

The 14-year-old Northridge resident is studying ballet for six weeks at the Virginia School of the Arts in Lynchburg, Va. For Valerie, there’s nowhere else she’d rather be.

“It’s a really fun way to spend my summer,” she said via telephone from her dormitory on the rural campus. Now in her second week, Valerie’s days are spent training her body and mind in a series of physically demanding classes.

“I’ve always loved dancing,” she said of her desire to pursue the dream of many little girls. “I figured I had to take classes to join a company.”

At home, she studies at Ballet Arts School of Dance in Westlake Village and already has her sights set on pursuing a career as a professional dancer.

Peter and Marcy Rothenberg, Valerie’s parents, say that while they miss their only child during her absences, they’re happy to encourage her goals.

“I love it,” Marcy Rothenberg said. “It’s a kick and a half. We’re constantly astonished.”

She’s only been dancing seriously for a few years, but Valerie said she’s extremely grateful for their support. “They’ve always told me it’s really up to you whatever you want to do,” she said.

Valerie recently finished her freshman year at Van Nuys High School’s Performing Arts Magnet but faces a difficult decision before leaving Lynchburg on Aug. 10--whether to join the Virginia academy full time in the fall.

“It’s hard to imagine,” her mother said of the idea that her daughter would be 3,000 miles away from home for three years, “and yet we know she’ll be OK if she wants to do it.”

The Rothenbergs plan to visit the campus in early August before Valerie returns.

Whatever she decides, Valerie is already certain that her future lies on the stage.

“I just really want to dance,” she said. “I found out that there was a career I could have that’s fun.”