Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 22, 1993                   TAG: 9307220238
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: MICHAEL CSOLLANY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ON THEIR TOES

"Children tell it all. After all these years, you learn to read children."

Watkins has operated her Roanoke County studio for 18 years and is preparing to open a second school on Peters Creek Road. She said she teaches ballet and other forms of dance for all the reasons - enjoyment, exercise, escape, competition and career.

Some young students become discouraged when instructors stress competition over the many other reasons to dance.

Watkins is proud that none of her students has ever known the disappointment of being cut.

"Anyone who wants to compete can," she says.

Her students took home three first-place trophies from a June competition in Myrtle Beach. Several of her students have gone on to become dancing instructors themselves.

The road to enjoying dance is usually smooth for the 265 students Watkins teaches every year, she says, but occasionally, it is bumpy.

"It's hard for the children sometimes. Some don't want to be here," she said. "But their parents are smart to make them come.

"Children learn more than just dance here," she noted. "They learn discipline, poise, grace, and how to get along with other people."

Watkins derives her greatest satisfaction from watching children develop from one year to the next. Having some students for 14 years, she has an advantage that other teachers don't.

"A schoolteacher gets them for one year, but I get to see them grow," she said.

Watkins realizes that most of her students are just passing through her school on a road toward other goals, but she doesn't mind.

"Dance is a healthy outlet for all children, whether they are gifted or not," Watkins said.