New ballet school opens in Yuma

As a child Yuma native Erika Farrar-Romanyuk knew she would become a dancer. She spent more than 20 years dancing professionally with some of the highest-ranked ballets in the country.

Now Farrar-Romanyuk plans to share her experience and professional skills by opening a ballet school of her own.

She says she wants to offer her students a complete education in ballet beyond the walls of the studio. “I want my students to know the ballets and the history of the art," she said. “I hope to give my students the best education possible. At the same time, I am interested in the child as a person – a whole person – every child is different. Then I can help them accomplish goals in their lives.”

Farrar-Romanyuk plans to provide a serious program for students who aspire to go beyond dancing recreationally to become professional dancers themselves.

Arizona Classical Ballet officially opens its doors to students in August.

Classes will include all levels of ballet, including en pointe, contemporary, tap, hip-hop and tumbling for students of all ages - from toddlers to adults. Arizona Classical Ballet will also offer fitness classes such as Pilates, children’s fitness and Zumba. Students also can enroll in Praise and Worship Dance, a faith-inspired dance class.

The school will not only boast a variety of classes, but also offer a roster of highly-qualified master teachers from around the world.

Farrar-Romanyuk said she believes that an education in ballet provides students with discipline, team work and a sense of belonging.

“Ballet is an impossible art – you must always strive to be the best of your ability.”

Farrar-Romanyuk said she was painfully shy as a child. Her mother suggested that she enroll in ballet to help overcome her shyness.

“I would come home from ballet crying and my mother would ask me why I don’t just quit. But I knew I would dance.”

With the help of her aunt, Linda Farrar, a founder of the Yuma Ballet Theatre, Erika began dancing. “Ballet is a way to express yourself without speaking. You get out and do what you know how to do.”

She has not stopped dancing since that time. At the age of 18 she began her professional dance career with some of the best ballet companies in the country, including the Nashville Ballet and the Atlanta Ballet. After years of touring professionally, Farrar-Romanyuk returned to Yuma as artistic director for Yuma Ballet Theatre.

“Dance can be a window to your soul. Performance expresses personality," she said, explaining her love for the art form.

Farrar-Romanyuk bases her teaching philosophy on the premise that a strong education in ballet can benefit students throughout their personal lives. “I believe dance helps you in the real world. If you can overcome obstacles in the studio, you can overcome anything in real life.”

Farrar-Romanyuk has soared in the professional world, but she has overcome tragedy in her personal life as well. Her husband, a professional Russian ballet dancer, died suddenly two years ago. The couple shared a daughter, Bethany, who suffered from sudden infant death syndrome as a baby. Doctors were able to revive Bethany, but she now suffers from severe complications and cerebral palsy.

Farrar-Romanyuk, a hard-working single-mother, says she could not have accomplished her goals without the support of her family and friends.

Teresa Moedl, a close friend and fellow instructor, said: “Erika is a high-quality individual. We all love her and support her.”