It is a talent, and the lessons from the instruction are carried with them through high school and into adulthood.

The 2nd Street Dance Co., located in Alpena, offers classes for children as young as 3 years old to adults.

The dance studio is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Beginners are taught the basics of dance, and as the students progress, more intricate moves and techniques are learned.

Courtesy Photo Dance students practice more demanding dance moves while in class at the 2nd Street Dance Co. on Tuesday.

The dance school offers acrobatic dance, tap, ballet, pointe, jazz, and hip hop classes, and many students attend all of them to broaden their abilities.

The classes help provide the students more than dance however, as it also teaches them teamwork, improves coordination, and in some cases improves their physical fitness and health.

Jenny Stevens, co-owner of the 2nd Street Dance Co., said her talented staff works with individuals to help them sharpen their skills and groups.

Dance routines are developed and memorized, and then performed during concerts that friends, family, and others in the community can enjoy.

Stevens, who owns the studio with Jenny Marceau, said it is common for a student to begin classes at a young age and continue through college and beyond.

Courtesy Photo Students from the 2nd Street Dance Co. perform a choreographed move during a recent dance recital.

“I have seen them go through high school and college, come home and get married, and join dance again,” Stevens said.

Besides learning dance, Stevens said students acquire other life skills and traits that will benefit them as they grow.

“It is more than just learning to dance, for sure,” she said. “It builds self-confidence and motivation and improves both physical and mental health.

“You see it right away when they are young,” Sevens said. “When a 3-year-old starts, they cry for the first month, but then when there is a recital, you can’t get them off of the stage. There are benefits they receive from dance that they will be able to benefit from for the rest of their lives.”

Stevens said this year is the first time that a dance class is being offered to people with disabilities. She said the class is very popular and it has done wonders for the students’ confidence and self-esteem.

Courtesy Photo Young dance students work on their stretching exercises while at dance class at the 2nd Street Dance Co. on Tuesday.

“It is incredible and so much fun,” Stevens said. “They just love it and so do we.”

Stevens said students come to Alpena from surrounding areas like Hillman, Posen, and Alcona County to participate in classes. She said in order for the student to be totally invested in the class, buy-in from parents is key.

“It is a big commitment not only from the students, but also for the parents,” she said. “They have to make sure their child is dropped off and picked up, purchase costumes, take pictures, and attend recitals, but it is all worth it because the parents’ commitment rubs off on the child and helps boost their self-esteem.

Stevens and Marceau teach dance classes, but there is also another instructor and three assistants who help during class. Stevens said there are also older students, who are veterans of the operations and classes at the studio, who also help.

“They volunteer and help because they love dance and helping the kids the same way others helped them,” Stevens said. “They are very engaged in the studio and working with the students.”

Courtesy Photo Teen students at the 2nd Street Dance Co. perform during a recital in October.

Courtesy Photo Dance students work together to make sure their dance moves are perfectly in sync with one another while at the 2nd Street Dance Co. on Tuesday.