Mauws brings love of dance to Elie

Jennifer Mauws, owner/instructor of Call It Dance in Elie, grew up in Ontario.

She was given an amazing opportunity to participate in ballet from a young age.  Her instructor was so impressed with her dedication and talent that she recommended Jennifer apply for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Mauws’ family was thrilled when she was accepted and moved from Ontario to Manitoba so their daughter could pursue her dream.

However, one short week before they moved, Jennifer’s lungs collapsed. The RWB suggested that she sign up at a local dance school to see how her body would respond to continued dancing. Unfortunately, her lungs collapsed two more times. The talented young woman endured two lung surgeries and a year out of dancing. The tragic situation killed her dance career.

Fast-forward a few years. Jennifer’s love of dance never left her. She was a Blue Bombers cheerleader for a while. She continued dance as an instructor at a studio in Winnipeg but a decision to move to Elie seemed as if might bring her involvement in dance to an end.  

Elie is a small, hockey-oriented community and Jennifer wondered who would be interested in dance. She decided to post flyers around town and couldn’t believe the response.

In September 2004, the doors opened to Call It Dance Studio. Thirteen years later, it continues to thrive!

It’s evident Jennifer loves her students (youth and adults). She’s a dedicated instructor who promotes respect of self and others. She requires students to dance with form and discipline; to do the best they can.

She also encourages her students to have fun — to remember that dance must be enjoyable.
Mauws’ students work toward two events every year, a competition and the Call It Dance end-of-year recital. For her, the competition is a dress rehearsal for the recital, which is when everything that has been taught through the  year comes together.

I attended the recital for the first time this year and the amount of dedication and heart that went into each routine was astounding. The senior lyrical dance expressing honour toward those who’ve suffered domestic violence was evocative, powerful, and done with integrity.
Jennifer appreciates that she can pursue her love of dance as an instructor.  She works full-time and considers her studio a beautiful and life-giving hobby.

What she loves the most is "the moment I can see when dance switches from something to do for my students to when it becomes their passion."  

This lights her up and reminds her of her own experience.

Call It Dance has spots open for September 2017.

If you’d like more information, visit www.call-itdance.ca or call Jennifer at 204-229-1216.

Deb Martens is a community correspondent for Cartier. Please email her with questions or concerns at debsmartens@gmail.com