THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610310157
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 80 lines
AMY MARLINS IS counting on dance to help her share the Gospel as a missionary.
While continuing to perfect her skills in ballet and modern dance, she plans to enroll in college and hopes to teach in Russia.
``I hope I can continue to travel and learn the dances of different cultures,'' said Marlins, 19. ``I want to take what they have and give away what I have.'' She also hopes her love of dance will help bridge language barriers.
After graduating from Nansemond River High School in 1995, Marlins went to Russia on a missions trip with ``Teen Mania'' after attending a conference presented by the Christian organization at Open Door Church.
She spent a month during the summer of 1995 in Tyumen, Siberia, and recently returned to Siberia for two more months.
``I did lots of Bible studies in homes,'' she said. ``When I came back to the states last year, I didn't want to start college because I thought I was going back to Russia to teach English. However, it was a bad time politically, and our government shut down for a period of time. I wasn't able to get my visa.''
A dance student at the Fine Arts Center, Marlins asked director Virginia Chambers if she could volunteer her assistance. Chambers readily accepted, and Marlins has worked as assistant director for more than a year.
``There was so much to do. . . . It was perfect timing,'' Marlins said. ``I've built sets, answered the phone, helped write scripts, and put together shows. I like it so much.''
Marlins designs her own dance costumes and creates new costumes from old ones for other students. She also teaches a class in modern dance, studies drama and continues to study pointe and technique.
``I call Amy my right-hand person,'' Chambers said. ``She helps me so much. She is a multitalented, multidimensional person.''
When the Fine Arts Center was asked to nominate a dance student to attend a master's class taught by members of the internationally known Pilobolus Dance Theater, Chambers submitted Marlins' name. Marlins was one of only six dance students in Hampton Roads to attend.
``Amy is an extraordinarily talented girl, who is certainly foremost in her dancing skills,'' Chambers said. ``She has expressed her capabilities in scene and set design and drama presentation. She has been with us since the creation of the Fine Arts Center and came back from Governor's School at Old Dominion University to share what she learned there with the other students.''
Marlins said, ``I was very glad to be in the class. And personally, as a dancer, it was very broadening. With a background in ballet, a dancer doesn't have a great deal of freedom, but modern dance is something you create.''
She said, ``Instead of being an individual, we connected with different people. While dancing, there were lots of movements we could make while being connected. We touched palms, shared weights and learned building blocks. I was in a room with people I didn't know, but I gained trust . . . even though I didn't know their names.''
A native of Suffolk, Marlins is the daughter of Willie and Mary Marlins. One of five siblings, she began dancing at the age of 2 at Birdsong Recreation Center when there was a satellite program there sponsored by the Tidewater Ballet Association. Later, she studied with dance instructors Gail Harts and Eva Chavis.
``Ballet is a lot of work but something I've always liked,'' she said. ``There are a lot of things you have to force your body to do, and you have to have an awful lot of energy.''
Marlins, who attended Governor's Magnet School for two years, is accomplished in Middle Eastern dance and traditional folk dancing. She took her first master's class in African dancing offered by the Governor's Magnet School. She has performed in ``Swan Lake'' and ``Les Sylphides'' at the Wells Theater in Norfolk.
The first show entirely featuring Marlins' choreography will be a Dec. 22 performance based on ``The Nutcracker.'' Marlins will dance on pointe to ``Reed Flutes'' and perform a Spanish number.
Although Marlins has had several years of study in both French and Spanish, she plans to enroll in college to double major in languages and minor in English before traveling overseas again.
``I want to teach in Russia,'' she said, ``I need to learn German because so many Russians speak German. I plan to find a location, stay for two or three years to teach English and dance, and then move on to another place. But my main goal is to share the Gospel.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Amy Marlins teaches a modern-dance class at the Fine Arts Center. by CNB