CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 35 It's a tradition of excellence and philanthropy that Dina Lewis has carried on since the death of the studio's matriarch, Charlotte Blume, in 2016. Lewis first became involved with the studio some 20 years ago as a member of the board of directors. at was long before her daughter Ella, a 20-year-old N.C. State sophomore, would gain the coveted role of the sparkling Sugar Plum Fairy and younger daughter Sophia, 15, would step into one of the pristine tutus of the Snow Queens. e daughter of Greek immigrants, Lewis was a high school soball player who grew up performing traditional Greek dances at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. But ballet? She said she didn't know an arabesque from a grand jete. at was then. Over the years, she has assimilated Blume's precision, expertise and attention to detail. As well as her ability to inspire excellence. "If you were around Charlotte enough, you could pick up ballet," she said. "I promised her I wouldn't change anything. I would keep everything exactly the way it is: Traditional." "Once you saw what she could do for a child, you understood," she said. "If a child said, "I can't," she said, "We don't use that word here.'" Keeping with Blume's standards, Lewis said she never turns away an aspiring student who is willing to put in the work. "She was the most giving person I've ever met, and as far as posting our prices, we'll never do it," Lewis said. "I think giving back comes back to you. And it makes coming to work fun." Fun, yes, but also an enormous amount of work and organization, including keeping up with all those colorful and expensive costumes throughout the year. e result promises to be a spectacular display of talent and retelling of the beloved story of young Clara, the Christmas Eve gi of the nutcracker she is given and the elaborate dream she has upon falling asleep. And the production ensures that the legacy and firm standards of Charlotte Blume live on. "It's all about carrying on what she wanted to see on that stage," Lewis said. Left to right, Kendal Robinson, Sophia Lewis and Mikeala Burney as the Russian Dolls Photo by Cindy Burnham Dancers rehearse at Charlotte Blume School of Dance. Photo by Cindy Burnham

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