Scene
in Shaker
Keep It
Moving Opening a new studio and creating a new business
model during a global pandemic require passion,
determination, and a boundless supply of positive energy, all of which you’ll find
in Sha’Ran Marshall. Last June, she moved her company, Dance by Sha’Ran,
into a basement studio in Christ Episcopal Church on Warrensville Center
Road, across from the Van Aken District. The space was previously occupied by
another local dance company, Verb Ballets.
Marshall began dancing at the age of 8, and moved to the Cleveland
area from Toledo as a young adult when she had the opportunity to join the
Cleveland Cavaliers dance team. It wasn’t long before she found a way to
combine her enthusiasm for dance and fitness with the entrepreneurial work
ethic she inherited from her father, a dentist. She formed her own dance
company, Dance by Sha’Ran, in 2010, but had no permanent home for it,
bouncing from one borrowed space to another.
For someone used to being in constant motion, the pandemic brought a
unique opportunity to sit still and reflect on what was important to her.
“These trying times allowed me to work on my business and create an LLC
for Dance by Sha’Ran, as well as a non-profit organization called Urban Dance
Cleveland,” through which she distributes dance scholarships for youth ages 5-25.
“I’m a big believer in energy, and thinking about what we can do for others.”
Marshall decided that she and her three sons, ages 7, 14, and 19 (all of whom
have followed in her footsteps as devotees of dance and fitness), had been
moving their dining room table out of the way long enough. When the space
became available at Christ Episcopal, she jumped at the chance.
Her fans followed her enthusiastically to her new studio, including several she
had not realized were Shaker residents. “Shaker is amazing, and has welcomed
me with open arms,” says Marshall. She is particularly grateful to Rev. Peter Faass,
the Rector of Christ Episcopal, for making her feel at home.
Keeping with CDC and state guidelines, Marshall is able to offer some
classes in studio, though anyone who prefers may attend online. Her team of
dance and fitness instructors offers a wide range of ways to keep moving, for
70 WINTER 2021 | WWW.SHAKER.LIFE
everyone from ages 3 to “seasoned,”
the term she prefers. Classes include
ballet, jazz, hip hop, modern, musical
theatre dance, personal training,
aerobic workouts, and even wellness
and nutrition coaching.
For patrons who haven’t danced
or worked out much recently, Marshall
recommends starting with her 216
Cardio class, which combines simple
dance moves with a fitness routine
designed to get you off the couch.
If Marshall had to pick a personal
favorite, she says, “It would be jazz.
Jazz is the basis for modern, tap,
musical theatre, and hip hop, and it
spans so many historical eras.”
But the one class that always
sells out might surprise you: Salacious
Stilettos. Billed as a “Friday Night
Out,” this class offers patrons 18 and
up the chance to let down their hair
and learn a new dance routine while
wearing their sexiest heels, just for fun.
And isn’t that something we all could
use right about now?
To learn more about what’s
on tap, visit dancesharan.wixsite.
com/dancebysharan, follow Dance
By Sha’Ran on Facebook, or text
dancebysharan to 21777. SL
By Jennifer Proe | Photograph by Jason Miller
/WWW.SHAKER.LIFE