Metro Dance Organizes Hip-Hop Fundraiser for Miracle League

For Laura Cionca, a dance teacher at Plymouth's , the concept of the Miracle League, a baseball league for kids with special needs, hits close to home.

Her son goes to the Tanger Center, Plymouth-Canton's special education school, for kindergarten.

"We've met a lot of families and a lot of kids there," Cionca said. "For them to be able to play baseball would be incredible. These are kids who just want to have fun."

So when Cionca heard that Plymouth's A.M. Rotary Club was looking for help raising money for , she knew she wanted to do something to help, and she turned to what she knows best—dance.

Cionca and Metro Dance owner Kristie Wyler have organized a benefit for the Miracle League called "Dance From the Heart," which involves a day full of hip-hop dance classes for community members.

The benefit will take place March 19 from 1-4 p.m. and is divided into three classes. The first hour is for kids ages 8 to 12, the second is for adults and the third is for 13- to 18-year-olds.

Each class costs $15 per student, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Miracle League of Plymouth, which is expected to break ground on a field behind on April 29.

"Kristie is donating the studio space and time, and all the teachers are donating their time to teach these classes," Cionca said.

She said she chose hip-hop as the dance to teach at the benefit because of the accessibility of the music and the ease of the moves.

"Hip-hop is very mainstream, it's a very forgiving kind of dance," Cionca said. "The music is familiar, and it's something people have already dabbled in on their own. The music also has a strong rhythm and a strong beat, so it's easy to move to."

Attendees will learn a 30- to 40-second routine by the end of each class.

"And it will be clean hip-hop," Cionca said. "I know that's something parents are sometimes worried about."

Registration is already open, and those interested in signing up can contact Metro Dance Company at 734-207-8970 or by e-mail at info@MetroDanceCompany.com. You can also come directly to the studio, which is located at 541 S. Mill St.

"This is just a great opportunity for kids to help other kids," Cionca said. "The Miracle League isn't only about providing something great for kids with special needs, but it's also a good way to teach all kids about giving back and having a sense of community."