- Crystal Boyce, Owner/Artistic Director, Leap of Faith
Crystal Boyce is the owner and artistic director of Leap of Faith and one of the featured profiled woman leaders in the 2009 edition of The Women’s Book. I had the opportunity to interview Crystal to find out more about what she does and to better understand her passions in life.
Abby: Being a connoisseur in the arts, what events (art shows, plays, ballets, etc…) do you suggest attending during the upcoming holiday season?
Crystal: There are a large number of happenings in our area for the upcoming holidays, but here are a few: The Nutcracker (Balletmet) is always a favorite, Holiday Pops, Wild lights at the Columbus Zoo and of course anything at the Historic Lincoln Theatre will be awesome!
Abby: Describe a typical dance lesson. How does one strive to offer “a solid foundation in dance, and a solid foundation for life” during a single session?
Crystal: A typical class at Leap of Faith starts with circle up time. During this time, the dancers are able to talk about any good or bad things that have happened since we were last together, any feelings or emotions that they are having, and any prayer request that they might have. They know that everything that we talk about while in the circle stays in the circle. Then we pray together – someone different is chosen to pray at each class. We then proceed to warm up, technique and choreography. During class, I try to uplift all of my dancers even when I have to correct them or get after them about something. I always give them some type of praise and emphasis that anything worth having in life is worth working hard and fighting for, whether it is in dance, school or at home with family. One of the mottos at Leap of Faith that we continuously stress is “Focus, Discipline and Respect”. The dancers have to repeat this motto to me and each other when they are not focusing or respecting each other during class. I always tell them that this is a motto they should take everywhere with them. At the end of class, I always tell them how proud I am of them and how I love them.
Abby: In the book you mention women’s health care being an important passion to you aside from dancing. Are there any specific facets of women’s health care that truly arouse this passion? Would you ever do anything in the healthcare industry?
Crystal: Breast cancer awareness is very important to me. Cancer has touched my life in so many different ways from family members, friends, students and colleagues. I would like to see our community given better access to education and healthcare. Accessibility and affordability is so important and it bothers me that everyone doesn’t have that. I lost my God-mother from breast cancer a few weeks after my last dance showcase in June. She found out about her cancer a couple of years ago and it spread very quickly. She was young - in her early 50’s – and left an 27-year old son and 11-year old daughter. She didn’t like going to doctors because of the cost. I feel that if her cancer was detected earlier she would still be here raising her little girl. Leap of Faith is starting a yearly dance-a-thon fundraiser for breast cancer this year and will give our proceeds to the Koman Fund.
Abby: If you had to choose one dance move that described you as an individual, which one is it and why?
Crystal: Arabesque – it is a very graceful, yet very strong move.
Crystal is currently busy feeding her passion by opening a second Leap of Faith Dancewear Boutique. The grand opening is this Wednesday, November 18th at 6pm in the shops at the Lincoln Theatre! For more information about Crystal’s exciting progress and the Grand Opening reception details, visit her website: www.lofdance.com
Interviewed by Abby Walters, Intern, The Women’s Book.
