Labors of love
Brown also runs a Spirit Horse program at Eagle’s Rest Ranch in Flintstone where ranch workers help developmentally delayed youth learn to ride horseback. The ranch hosts Special Olympics for Catoosa and Walker counties in the fall.
Ginger Brown’s Academy of Performing Arts is celebrating 40 years in business. Well, not technically: The academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
“Our focus is dance, of course – all genres of dance,” said owner Ginger Brown. “It’s a mission for me. We use an avenue that children love to help them reach their potential. Dance gives them a natural high, so hopefully they won’t feel the need for drugs or alcohol.”
Student Emily Capps, of Ringgold, who started dancing at age 4, said she feels at home at Ginger Brown Academy.
“I like that we are all like a family,” agreed Emily Levan, 17, who began dancing at Ginger Brown at age 3 and now also teaches tap class. “We have tap, clog, jazz, lyrical and acro-tumbling, hip-hop and ballet here.”