New dance classes start in Sonoma

A new series of dance classes, offered by the new Danse Sonoma, will begin at the Sonoma Community Center on Sept. 11.

The classes are being offered by the nonprofit Heart Without Borders, and taught by former Transcendence dancers Shannon O’Bryan and Emily Anne Conoway.

The “arts and healing” nonprofit was founded by Shannon and her husband, Nick Dalton.

The tap, jazz, lyrical, yoga and contemporary dance classes will be offered at the Community Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The classes are offered on a recommended fee of $15 per class. Sign up at heartwithoutborders.com.

“We want to offer more opportunities for kids and adults alike to take formal dance training in town,” said O’Bryan. “We’re so excited to be offering tap classes for kids and for those ‘kids at heart.’”

O’Bryan’s performing career has included Broadway productions of “42nd Street” and “White Christmas,” as well as dancing Off-Broadway, in many national and regional tours.

A recent transplant to Sonoma, Emily-Anne Conaway is a professional dancer and choreographer from Los Angeles who has also been the director of several dance studios.

“Dance is such a big part of my life,” Conaway said. “I’m looking forward to teaching here in Sonoma and becoming a part of this wonderful community.”

Dalton said that the fee is “recommended” so that their programming is available to “everyone from every socio-economic class in Sonoma Valley.” “Dance and arts education is woven into the very fabric of every community’s culture throughout time, and it’s the one thing that allows you to truly express yourself,” Dalton said.