Teachers and Tutus 2015 Huge Success

What do you get when you cross motivated dance teachers, an amazing cause, and strong community backing? A very successful second annual Teachers and Tutus Event! This benefit joined Charlee's Elite School of Dance, Dream Dance Company, Inspiring Dance, The Iowa C.A.T.S. and The Dance Avenue all with the common goal of pulling off a night of fun and support for the Des Moines Chapter of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of C.A.T.S. for Charlie.

The evening began with a red carpet affair featuring Des Moines's own Season 11 SYTYCD Jacque LeWarne, and Studio Owners Kelly Liber Else, Jacque Butzke, Charlee Cambell Slaughter and Amber Martin all dressed up in pointe shoes, tutus, and dashing smiles. It continued with a seated dinner, silent auction, special performance by the Ballet Des Moines, and ended with a DJ and dance party.

A special thank you goes out to the three studios who joined Studio Owner Kelly Liber Else. Jacque Butzke from Inspiring Dance, Charlee Cambell Slaughter from Charlee’s Elite School of Dance and Amber Martin from The Dance Avenue. Bringing together this group of strong studio owners was an incredible expierence and truely made this event a success.

The greatest expierence of the evening was listening to the guest of honor speak. A dear father spoke about his currently twelve year old son being diagnosed at the age of four, and how this disease has affected his family. His son has now been cancer free for five years. This is all in thanks to events like Teachers and TuTu’s where the proceeds go to LLS which goes directly to research finding a cure and new treatments for this horrific disease. In 1970 his son would have had a 10% chance of living. When he was diagnosed seven years ago, their son was told he had a 85% chance of survival.

Events like Teachers and TuTu’s are tremendously important. Next year we expect it to be even bigger and better! All of the studios involved look forward to watching this event grow and continue to bring the dance community together all to help find a cure for LLS.

Because of this event we watched the Des Moines dance community come together for a wonderful cause. The silent auction donations from industry leaders such as NUVO and Hollywood Vibe provided additional donations and helped local students gain access to amazing dance training. Additionally, studios who were not directly particpating in putting this event on this year, purchased a table and have reached out wanting to get involved next year.

All in all we had 80 silent auction items and raised over $7,000! This group is honored to be able to contribute with our gifts. We are so proud and can’t wait until next year!!