Heather Gwin Paulick
Passing On the Love of Dance
story by CINDY REID
photos by PAUL NURNBERG
Nestled among the live oaks hung with Spanish moss, alongside the popular and picturesque Spanish Moss Rail Trail, the Low Country Dance Center welcomes aspiring dancers to its spacious studio. Owned and operated by Heather Gwin Paulick, the dance studio teaches children from two to eighteen not just dance techniques but also a love and an appreciation of the timeless art form. A dancer herself, Heather found her calling as a dance teacher early in life and is busy passing along her knowledge and passion to the next generation. Beaufort Lifestyle caught up with Heather recently to learn about children and dance – and just in time to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day!
How do you introduce a young student to the concepts of dance?
When a student first comes through our doors we have a meeting with the child and their parent and an introduction to the instructor. They check out the facility and walk around the studio. We talk about the learning process with their parents.
The actual teaching techniques vary from age to age. We use lots of different music, many interesting props and games specifically designed to teach dance for young ones. For the two to three-year-olds, we use brightly colored circles and hoops and they really become engaged in learning.
The best part is when the new student sees the big wall of mirrors for the first time. Seeing their reflection is magical. They light up! I believe that dance should be fun and my goal is to make it accessible to all children. I love sharing the love of dance with children and teens because I enjoy students of every age. At Low Country Dance Studio we teach kids from age two to eighteen.
What do children get out of dance classes?
Dance has many positive effects on children. Dance helps children grow physically, intellectually and emotionally. Strength, flexibility and posture are physical benefits. Among so many other benefits dance helps build confidence. I see kids step in the room as a shy, quiet student and next thing you know they are part of our community, engaging with me and their peers. And they definitely have fun! The younger students are like little sponges, they pick up and absorb so much information and they are capable of so much. I truly enjoy seeing students have an artistic experience.
What types of dance do you teach?
Including myself we have three instructors and we teach a wide variety of different dance styles. We have classes in Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary and Acro.
We teach those types of dance in both the recreational and competitive settings. In either setting when students walk in our doors they are part of our family at Low Country Dance Studio. Students attend classes all year long and participate in the recital and community events.
The competitive program is designed for advanced students. Those students are a range of ages, from three to fifteen years old. They are in this program based on skill, not age. Competitive dancers train many hours a week in technique classes. In addition to their classes the students practice multiple nights a week at the studio as well as travel to competitions, this year we attended six different competitions.
What is your favorite genre of dance to teach?
I love to teach all genres of dance but my favorite is Ballet. I love the discipline that ballet requires. Ballet is the foundation for all genres of dance.
Introduce us to your staff.
We have Kimani Carpenter, he teaches Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Acro. He is the boy’s instructor as well. Another instructor is Brandy Roberts, she teaches Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, and tap. We also have Denise Boswell, our office manager. It’s a great team.
Do you have any programs just for boys?
Yes! This year we started an all-new boys hip hop program. I did this because we have lots of boys coming in but they don’t like dancing with the girls. So this year we started their own program and they love it. They get to look up to a male instructor, Kimani Carpenter, and when they have that male influence they love it. The program started small, but is growing and will continue to grow. To promote dance for boys I am offering to waive monthly tuition, and just charge the one-time registration fee. (Limits do apply).
Do the students have a recital?
Yes, we have a big end of year Recital. This year’s recital is at Beaufort High School, May 19 at 1 PM. It is open to the public and tickets can be purchased in advance at the dance studio or at the door on the day of the event. The students love being in the recital and performing for their friends and families. They come off the stage and say “I want to do it again!” I love seeing the children on stage because they radiate pure joy and happiness with every step.
What about community events?
We do several community-wide events every year and we are always open to adding our students to an event. We do Talent Night at the Beaufort Water Festival every year. It’s a tradition that our students love. We also participate in community events such as Relay for Life, CAPA Dancing with the Stars and local festivals. We all love being in the local parades, the kids love to perform! We take every opportunity to participate in our community.
Tell us a little about yourself…where are you from?
I was born in Cape May, New Jersey and my family moved to Beaufort when I was eight years old. I went to school in Beaufort and graduated from Beaufort High School. I attended USCB, majoring in Business.
Were you a young dancer?
I started dancing at age four. I attended the Jill Stanford Dance Center. I loved it from the beginning, but I don’t think my Mom expected I would be dancing for my lifetime!
Growing up I had the greatest dance mentor, Gaye Baxley. Gaye Baxley owns and operates Madeline T Walker School of Ballet in Savannah, Georgia. She was a phenomenal instructor and teacher. She gave me an appreciation, and the love, for technique and she fostered a passion for dance in me as well. I will always be grateful for Gaye.
Reason for starting a studio?
It was my dream since childhood. Once I started teaching I knew I wanted to have my own studio. I have taught dancers of all levels for thirteen years at various studios. Six years ago I opened Low Country Dance Center.
My first dance studio was on Greene Street in Beaufort and we were there almost four years before moving to our current location at Middleton Road, at the end of Depot Road by the Spanish Moss Rail Trail. We have 3,000 square feet in the studio and we have been here for two years. I love the building and the area, it has lots of character.
Introduce us to your family.
I have an amazing husband, Mathew Paulick, who graduated from the Citadel, Go Bulldogs. We have a beautiful three year old daughter, Sophia. We live in Mossy Oaks and we love living and growing in Beaufort. Mathew and I both grew up here and now our daughter will too. We love spending time at the beach, but my favorite place in town is probably my front porch with my family.
Motherhood
I love everything about being a Mom! I love it all! It’s like watching your heart grow outside your body. One of the best things is seeing a little piece of my wonderful husband looking back at me. Sophia is the light of our life. Being a mother has certainly informed and enhanced my work. Every student is unique and after becoming a mom I can say I have become a better teacher.
Dance Mom
Our daughter Sophia has grown up in the dance studio and she started dancing when she was two. Sophia loves it, she saw Mom and the others dance and she wanted to join in. She jumped right in and it came so naturally to her. When she could barely walk she would lay on the floor doing leg stretches!
Sophia competed in her first competitions this year at the age of three and a half. She is part of a duo with her little partner Morgan Duncan and they won Platinum First Place and overall duo high score at their very first competition, “Onstage New York”, in Savannah. At their next competition, “Encore” they won Platinum First Place again and also won Duo High Score! They dance to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, and the critique from the judges is that their choreography is far more advanced than most in their age and category.
I love watching her onstage- can you tell I am a proud Mom?
