Creo Arts & Dance Conservatory Focuses on Faith and Creativity

For Christa Anderson-Hill, dance is as much about technique as it is about creativity, spirituality and art.

After years of working as a dance instructor in the area, her vision came to fruition in September 2010, when she opened the family-operated with the help of her sister Jen Trundle.

Creo (meaning ‘I create’ in Latin) is an array of possibility for students—ages 3 to 18—who attend. From dance classes to art workshops and sacred dance groups, Anderson-Hill has introduced a unique perspective on dance, with a religious component.

The concept of integrating dance and faith isn’t a new one, although Anderson-Hill said Creo is the only studio in the southwestern suburbs of Minneapolis with a Christian vision.

“I love teaching the sacred dance element and I really felt in my heart that there was a need for it in the area,” said Anderson-Hill, who has been teaching dance since she was 17-years-old.

By incorporating bible stories and emphasizing Christian ideals, Anderson-Hill infuses spirituality and worship with lyrical and ballet dance techniques for students involved in the Sacred Dance Company and associated workshops, like Bible and Ballet.

Right now, a group of dance students are working on the story of Esther from the Bible that Anderson-Hill adapted, wrote and choreographed. Groups of students will perform “Esther: For Such a Time as This” at different churches in the area throughout the year.

“I am finding that a lot of our dancers know there are many stories in the Bible, but they don’t understand them,” Anderson-Hill said. “By putting movement with them, they are beginning to move through them and live the experiences so they can gain a more meaningful understanding. It’s really powerful.”

Creo's students appreciate the combination of faith and footwork.

“We are dancing to celebrate God,” said 12-year-old student Grace Nelson. “Christa is a firm believer in ‘nothing is perfect,’ so she encourages us to be ‘excellent.’ She inspires me in so many ways, more than just dance, her personality does too.”

The philosophy may be Christian-based, but not all of the classes offered are religious. From hip-hop to jazz and modern dance, there is something for everyone.

Faith isn’t the only fundamental that sets Creo apart from the rest. Anderson-Hill works to infuse other art forms in her classes, such as painting, poetry and drawing.

In late December, some of her students participated in a workshop in a dance studio covered floor to ceiling in paper. They were given finger paints and closed their eyes to paint to the music using the same movement patterns they use to dance.

The result? “A kaleidoscope of authentic movement,” Anderson-Hill said.

In addition to running Creo and teaching classes there, Anderson-Hill has been an instructor with , a vendor at the , for years.

They are working on a show called “” to be performed Feb. 25 at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts. This is the third year for the production and each year, Anderson-Hill makes changes to incorporate a different plot and different fairy tales into the story, from "Alice in Wonderland" to "Snow White" and "Jack and the Beanstalk."

“The story was originally going to be about Hansel and Gretel, but there was a young girl in the cast being bullied in school so I changed the story to fit her life and what was going on,” she said.

Fifteen-year-old Naomi Muhs is preparing to play three roles in the production; she’s the Evil Queen from "Snow White," part of the wind ensemble and will also participate in a “creepy tree dance.” She has been working with Anderson-Hill since she was in fifth grade and is currently taking classes through Tonka DanceWorks and Creo– ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical dance up to five days per week. She will also perform in “Esther.”

“I love dance because I can express myself in ways that I can’t usually in school and I can truly be myself,” Muhs said.

For more information about the Creo Arts & Dance Conservatory, check out their website or visit their Facebook fan page. 

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