The Roanoker Sept/October 2023 - 19

in the 'noke
A Beacon of Inspiration
written by Kianna Price Marshall Pedro Szalay shares his love of dance with our region,
empowering young dancers to express themselves through movement.
A
trained dancer with roots
grounded in Venezuela, but
with branches spreading
across the Roanoke Valley
and beyond. This innovative
teacher and visionary proudly leads Southwest
Virginia Ballet as the Artistic Director and is
known as a beacon of inspiration.
Born to Hungarian parents in La Guaira,
Venezuela, Pedro Szalay's introduction to dance
began at the age of seven. Little did he know
that his passion for movement would take him
on an extraordinary path that would touch the
lives of countless young people.
After receiving a scholarship, Szalay
embarked on a thrilling journey, traveling to
the dance mecca of New York City. There, he
honed his skills and performed with the prestigious
New York Dance Theater, immersing
himself in the rich tapestry of the dance world.
His dedication and talent led him to become
a company dancer with the Richmond Ballet
for a decade, leaving a lasting impact on choreographers
and audiences alike.
However, Szalay's story does not end with
his exceptional career as a professional dancer.
Along the way he found a new calling - one
that involved sharing the beauty of dance with
young minds eager to learn. Armed with his
experience and a genuine passion for nurturing
young talent, Szalay embarked on a remarkable
journey as a dance instructor.
In 2007, he was appointed as the Artistic
Director of the Southwest VA Ballet (SVB)
while simultaneously teaching a diverse range
of classes, from character and ballet to menonly
and partner classes.
While living in Richmond, Szalay became
involved with Minds in Motion, a dance program
teaching public school students. This
program has influenced the lives of many
fourth graders in Richmond, Charlottesville,
Martinsville, Salem and Roanoke City Schools
for 14 years. In 2012, he created his own dance
outreach initiative and developed Dance
Español, a Spanish language, choreographed
movement program, specifically designed for
fourth-graders in public schools.
Szalay's dedication to collaboration and
community engagement is also evident in his
work with various organizations. The Dance
Español program follows the SOL curriculum,
and Szalay thoughtfully selects themes
based on collaborations with museums and
major Roanoke corporations. He shares with
his students, " Collaboration is a better tool for
better progress. We create a better community
collaborating. " Through his collaborations, he
creatively addresses critical topics like selfawareness,
environment consciousness and
mental health, leaving a lasting impression and
igniting self-reflection upon the students and
the community.
" Pedro is a gifted artist, and a kind and caring
soul. He truly loves this community. Both of my
daughters participated in the Dance Español
program, so I have seen the effects of the program
both as a member of the community,
and as a parent of a participant, " says Spencer
Wiegard, former Board President of SVB.
Szalay's passion for inclusivity and making
dance accessible to all is truly inspiring. Despite
his demanding role as the Artistic Director of
SVB, dance instructor at Star City School of
Ballet and founder of Dance Español, he felt
compelled to expand his reach to middle and
high school students who might not have the
opportunity to take professional dance lessons.
With collaboration and guidance of Roanoke
City Public School administration, he established
a dance program for 8th-12th graders
- at no expense to the students.
For Szalay, dance is a universal language that
transcends barriers. He believes that movement
is something everyone can understand, regardless
of their background, race or age. Through
Dance Español, he has witnessed the transformative
power of dance, how it empowers young
individuals to find their voices and express
themselves without words.
As Pedro Szalay approaches 18 years of
working with Roanoke City Public Schools, his
legacy continues to grow. He has touched the
hearts and minds of countless students, leaving
an indelible mark on their lives. Through his
dedication, passion and unwavering belief in
the power of dance, he has shaped a generation
of young dancers and inspired them to pursue
their dreams.
" His energy and creative vision are
unmatched. SVB and Roanoke are blessed to
have Mr. Pedro, " says Wiegard.
His vision is a testament to the profound
impact one individual can make when fueled
by passion, inclusivity and the belief that every
child deserves the chance to experience the joy
of movement and creative expression. I
KIANNA PRICE MARSHALL, a native of Roanoke, is an award-winning multimedia journalist proudly sharing the stories of her hometown for 15 years with radio listeners, TV viewers and
lifestyle magazine readers. She is a graduate of University of Richmond with a double major in Leadership Studies and Communications. Follow her on Instagram @kiannainthecity.
TheRoanoker.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 19
COURTESY OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA BALLET

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The Roanoker Sept/October 2023

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