Dancers mourn loss of beloved studio owner Wednesday, February 08, 2012 By Lindsay Esparrago Kelsey Connelly poses with dance instructor Joey Dabbs. Now a senior, Connelly was 12 when the photo was taken. Dabbs died unexpectedly on Jan. 9. - courtesy of Kelsey Connelly Advertising For many teens who participate in competitive dance, the year-round season is difficult. But for Omaha dance studio SYNERGYtech, this year’s season will be a different kind of challenge. On Jan. 9, the dance community of Eastern Nebraska received some shocking and unfortunate news. At age 30, Joey Dabbs, dance instructor and owner of SYNERGYtech Performing Arts Center, unexpectedly passed away. Students of SYNERGYtech were preparing themselves for just another day of rehearsals, but soon they would have to prepare for much more. “When I heard the reason ... practice was canceled, my stomach dropped and I instantly started bawling,” freshman Sydney Rogerson said. Dabbs had formed a connection with his students and was seen as both a teacher and a father-figure. “Joey was such an outgoing person. You could tell he truly cared about each of his dancers -- he treated us like his kids,” said senior Kelsey Connelly, a former student of Dabbs’. “He could be strict and discipline us, but then at the same time provide comic relief.” Dabbs had a way of teaching that made the hard work of practice seem not as dreadful, his students said. “As a dancer, Joey had a style all his own. His choreography was something I had never experienced before,” PL South graduate Karlee Christensen said. “He didn’t care as much about all the dancers looking the same as much as he cared about feeling the music and being passionate.” Not only were his family, close friends and SYNERGYtech dancers affected, but the dance community as a whole felt the loss. Dancers in this area of the state are close-knit, and local studios were devastated when they received the news. They recognized the difficulty in losing not only a teacher but an inspiration. Studios such as Nebraska Dance Company stepped forward to help support SYNERGYtech through this time of grief and transition. Celebrity dancer Kent Boyd from the hit show “So You Think You Can Dance” heard about the tragedy and volunteered to visit the studio and teach as a guest artist. Out of the tragedy, some good came to light. “His funeral was more like a celebration of his life,” Connelly said. “It was really positive and amazing to see how many people he inspired.” The studio is trying to take on the challenge with as much optimism as possible. Older students and parents, as well as girls who have already graduated, have volunteered to step up and do the jobs Dabbs had always done. Almost two weeks after his death, the studio traveled as a team to Denver for the West Coast Dance Explosion, a traveling competition and convention. “On stage, we all broke down,” Rogerson said. “We never thought we would have to dance without the physical presence of our No. 1 fan -- but, because of his absence, we worked so much harder.” Dancers are hoping the tragedy will only bring the studio closer together. They are dedicating all of their dances and competitions to Dabbs, and they are wearing blue and white ribbons on their wrists as a reminder that he is still with them. “I believe in the girls,” Connelly said. “It’s going to be hard, but, if anything, it will push them to try harder for Joey.” On the SYNERGYtech website, Dabbs’ philosophy lives on in his own words: “Dance has been such a great resource for so many things in my life,” his writing explains. “It gave me confidence in myself, great friends, and so many great opportunities. I decided that I would create SYNERGYtech, so that I could pass on my knowledge and experiences.”

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