Love of dance inspires Hoover to instruct others

by Joshua Maloni
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, September 6, 2007

Adell Hoover’s love of dance inspired her to open a studio in the Town of Niagara.
(top photo by Larry Austin; bottom photo by Joshua Maloni)

In a sense, Adell Hoover got what she paid for.

The 25-year-old Niagara Catholic High School graduate went to Buffalo State College to become a teacher. In her mind, she was going to become a secondary school history instructor. The problem was, she kept tripping over her feet – so to speak.

“There’d be sections of notes missing because I’d have choreography written on it,” she says. “I had my passion.”

And so, Hoover decided to become a different kind of educator – a dance teacher.

“It’s in my blood,” she says.

Hoover’s mother, Judith, says Adell’s desire to instruct others began at the age of 5.

“She drew a picture and said, ‘I want to own a dance studio,’ ” Judith recalls.

At the age of 3, Hoover was pigeon-toed and wore leg braces. “Almost like a ‘Forest Gump’ thing,” she says. Dancing, for her, was both a way to correct the problem and have a good time. She’d dress up in costume and “was always dancing to music.”

Hoover took lessons throughout her childhood, but her dance hall days were interrupted, albeit slightly, in high school, when she found dance-centric activities were scarce.

“No one knew I danced,” Hoover says. “I never really had the opportunity to perform.”

But, dancing was her passion, and music her muse. Undeterred, she found after-school programs elsewhere and continued to train. The discipline in the steps provided her with self-discipline.

“Dancing got me through my teens,” she says.

Today, with 22 years of training under her belt, Hoover has become an award-winning performer. Her routines seamlessly sync dance steps with musical beats.

“She has no problem with her dance steps,” Ron Anderluh, director of the Miss Niagara pageant, says. “They’re unique and different.” He’s known Hoover since she won the title in 2003.

Until recently, Hoover was teaching at four local dance studios – from Lewiston to Buffalo – and giving workshops in places like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Canada.

Earlier this summer, Hoover opened up her own studio, Adell’s School of Dance, at 7350 Porter Road, in the Town of Niagara. She teaches students – ages 3 and up – tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, acro and musical theater. As an instructor, she’s “dynamic; motivated; inspiring,” Anderluh says.

Her plan with the studio is to “teach children; making them use their talent the right way.”

“You have to balance discipline with encouragement,” Hoover says.

In other words, “If I’m doing my job, they shouldn’t see anything but my (students’) feet.”

She says her classes will perform locally and in yearly recitals. Those interested in dance instruction can contact Hoover at 283-1078.

In addition to her own studio, Hoover continues to push her Miss Niagara platform, which is integrating dance into school curriculums. Since taking the crown, she’s worked to see more dance programs enacted in area schools.

“It’s definitely more recognized now,” she says.