Dedicated.

That’s the best word to describe three guys at this school. They persevere and dare not to give up ever.

Caleb Nugent, senior, Evan Nugent and Jordan DeLeon, freshmen, dance. Not only do they dance, but they are dedicated, trained dancers. They all dance at a studio called Miller Marley.

When most people think of dancers, they think of pretty little ballerinas in pink tutus – definitely not strong teenage guys in black shorts or tights.

They are not the only guys who dance at Miller Marley.

Caleb Nugent did not originally get involved with dance to become a full-fledged dancer.  His main interest in dance came from being in musicals when he was younger.

“I started when my little sister moved dance studios, and I went to her recital and decided to join,” Caleb Nugent said. “I wanted to be a gymnast at first, but my flexibility was a problem so I joined a tap class.

Soon after Caleb Nugent joined dance, his younger brother decided this was something he wanted to try as well.

“My older brother Caleb and younger sister Amber both danced, and it looked fun so I decided to start and now I love it,” Evan Nugent said.

DeLeon didn’t have any other siblings involved with dance, but that didn’t stop him from getting involved.

“I got into dance to get better in the musical theatre world,” DeLeon said. This is also a reason that Caleb and Evan Nugent decided to keep with dance as well.

Dance is not an easy activity. It takes a physical and emotional toll on a person’s body. Because of the difference in body types, it can be harder for guys than girls in dance.

“There are just some physical limitations boys have that girls just don’t have,” Caleb Nugent said. Training almost every day will help a person’s body get used to the amount of stress put on certain parts of the body due to dance. Flexibility is a main physical limitation that usually affects boys more than girls.

In dance, guys are not just dancing by themselves; there is usually a lot of partner work. Picking up girls in extravagant lifts is physically challenging. It is Caleb Nugent’s favorite type of dance because of the chemistry both partners have in the moment of dancing.

Evan Nugent’s favorite style of dance is tap, and DeLeon’s is ballet.

“Even though I started dance because of musical theater, I have really grown to love ballet the most,” DeLeon said. “My parents have been very supportive in all my decisions regarding dance because they love watching me do what I love.”

Support is needed for any child doing anything, not only support from family or friends, but also from teachers. For all of the guys, their teachers have been more supportive than any of the guys thought they would be.

“The teachers were great because they kept moving me up and told me about all the potential I had and were all very supportive,” DeLeon said.

One teacher has been especially supportive, according to Evan and Caleb Nugent.

“Shirley Marley has taught me to work hard and at my hardest,” Evan Nugent said. “She pushed me physically and emotionally by moving me from a Tap 2 to Tap 5 very early in my dance training.”

Marley founded Miller Marley over 50 years ago and is currently the most advanced tap teacher at the studio. Another teacher from Miller Marley that all of the guys credited as very important and supportive in their lives is Brian McGinness.

“Shirley Marley and Brian McGinness have been the most supportive teachers ever and have always had my back,” Caleb Nugent said.

Not everyone is open to thinking of guys as dancers. Evan Nugent had a touch of bullying after he started dancing and kids at school found out.

“In seventh grade, I had a situation where a kid kept telling me that I was gay because I dance, which isn’t true at all,” Evan Nugent said.

Bullying is present no matter what kids are involved in, but for guys who dance the ridicule seems to be more present.

“I have had plenty of guys come up to me and say ‘you’re weak’ because of being in dance, but it’s very easy to show them I’m not,” Caleb Nugent said.

DeLeon has not been personally bullied, but “there are some kids who can be prejudiced about boy dancers. I have a lot of supportive school friends though.”

Luckily guy dancers in the world give dancers like DeLeon, Caleb Nugent and Evan Nugent inspiration to keep dancing.

“My main inspiration has come from all of the boys that have danced at Miller Marley before me,” Evan Nugent said.

Caleb Nugent, Evan Nugent and DeLeon all encourage other guys to start dancing.

“Try your hardest not to be affected by people who think what you do is wrong. Do what you love to do and don’t listen to others,” Evan Nugent said.

There are over 12 guys taking dance classes at Miller Marley currently. All of the guys are very supportive of one another and encourage other guys to just try it out.

“Go ahead and dance. It is hard, but gives you a great work ethic,” DeLeon said. “It is also so much fun.”

And, another perk of being a dancer that DeLeon has found is that “all the girls like you.”