Teaching dance with a message

Cyndy Murdock has people grooving to a different style of music.

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Christian tunes fill the air at her new dance studio as Murdock teaches dance and pilates classes at her studio in the Franklin Arts Center.

"It's kind of fun to dance the message," Murdock said. "It gives more meaning to what we're doing."

Murdock used to run Heartland Glory Dancers out of a studio in her converted garage in a program affiliated with Glory Dancers International. She decided to launch Heart and Sole to "open up a lot more possibilities."

Heart and Sole is a non-profit dance and visual arts center funded by donations, fundraisers and suggested class donations.

Murdock has 15 students, children and adults. Murdock said if someone wants to join a class but doesn't have money to pay the entry fee exceptions can be made.

Brainerd Disaptch/Nels Norquist

"I'm not in this to make a lot of money or become really big," she said. "I wanted to offer a different venue with Christian music."

Starting in June Heart and Sole will offer dance classes for 4- and 5-year-olds, classes utilizing flags and streamers for elementary-age children and pilates classes for all ages. Depending on the interest, Murdock hopes to offer hip hop, modern expression and ballet classes this fall.

Murdock, 39, has eight years of ballet training as well as jazz, lyrical and hip hop experience that she hopes to pass on to other dancers.

Murdock said Christian dance dates back to Biblical times when Israelites danced to worship God.

Move with Me

Who: 4- and 5-year-olds

What: Music and movement with the use of flags, streamers and scarves.

When: 10-10:45 a.m. Mondays, June 4-25. Or 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesdays, June 5-26.

Cost: $24

Fun with Flags and Streamers

Who: Elementary-age children

When: June. Dates are to be determined.

Windsor Upper and Lower Body Sculpting Pilates

Who: Anyone.

What: Building a strong core and body tone.

When: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Mondays, June 4-25. Or 6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesdays, June 5-26.

Cost: $24

For more information on classes, contact Cyndy Murdock at 829-1480.

"God put dance on my heart," she said. "There's a great joy in dance and in movement, expressive movement, moving together."

Heart and Sole is located in the lower level of the Franklin Arts Center. With help from her husband, Murdock converted a room once used to store props and sets for the former school's drama department. They painted, put in new flooring and put mirrors on the walls to create the dance studio.

Heart and Sole will have a grand opening celebration and open house 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Anyone interested in Christian dance is encouraged to attend.

On the second Saturday of each month shops in the Franklin Arts Center have an open house for the public.

HEIDI LAKE may be reached at heidi.lake@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5879.