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Ballet instructor driven to teach youths about the dance style

Welthy Silva's work downtown has helped foster a sense of community and an appreciation for the arts.

The 10-year downtown Las Vegas resident opened her ballet studio more than two years ago and has been bringing neighbors together through the art of dance ever since.

The Las Vegas Ballet School, 1039 S. Main St., is nestled in the heart of the 18b Arts District, which Silva said has been the perfect home for her burgeoning business.

"There's more of a community feel here these days," she said. "It is a neighborhood-friendly atmosphere."

The building originally served, like other buildings near by, as a laundry facility, servicing the downtown casinos. Silva painted the walls, laid new black and white checkered flooring and installed the dance studio staples, such as barres and changing rooms.

"We did it all ourselves," she said with a smile on her face. "It was hard work - fun, but hard work."

The Las Vegas Ballet School is part of a larger trend of small businesses moving to redevelopment areas of the city. The city of Las Vegas is a driving factor behind it, offering incentives and streamlining the licensing process.

However, Silva believes it goes deeper than that : A downtown population coming into its own needs the type of neighborhood amenities the ballet studio offers.

Her customers agree.

"It's nice to have something like this next door instead of having to haul the kids out to Summerlin," downtown resident Conner O'Shea said.

Her three children attend classes at the Las Vegas Ballet School, but even better than the convenience, she said, is the teacher.

"She's awesome," O'Shea said of Silva. "She's not like the stereotypical old broad with the stick. She sneaks the fundamentals in."

Silva has fewer than 50 students enrolled in her classes but said she prefers the smaller class sizes.

The school offers classes on ballet of varying skill levels, jazz and some tap, for children and adults. Silva said she intentionally offers a small variety in dance styles to focus on ballet, which, for her, is the foundation of any dance training.

"I prepared a vision of how I wanted to run the school and stuck to that vision," she said. "I will always teach ballet first. I may shift the way I teach, depending on my students, but I'll never change what I teach."

Silva said she hopes to eventually increase the number of students, add classes as needed and that the business will grow as the district grows.

She might be the only teacher at the school but she has help. Her 9-year-old daughter Annie can usually be found answering phones and scheduling appointments at the school.

"She thinks she's ready to take over," Silva said. "I have to keep reminding her, 'Annie, I'm not dead yet.' "

For Silva, dance is a passion, and the 40-year-old said teaching it is more important to her now than ever before.

"The older I get, I feel it's really important to pass it on," she said. "I hope to leave a good impression on these children and leave them with an appreciation for dance, the arts."

Silva said she can't think of a better place to do that than in her own neighborhood.

"I am very happy here, and I'm lucky to be doing what I love," she said.

For more information, call 702-460-9438 or visit downtownballet.com.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Nolan Lister at nlister@viewnews.com or 702-383-0492.

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