An AileyCamper rehearses the opening routine for a performance later at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Ga. Some dancers never received training before. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith) 
Culture

Photo essay: Ballet and modern dance to teach youngsters life skills, lend self-confidence 

Photo essay: Ballet and modern dance to teach youngsters life skills, lend self-confidence.

Andrea Smith
A dancer leaps across the stage during a ballet routine at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
Dancers' ballet slippers are shown during a dress rehearsal at the the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
Micah Mincey gets her makeup done before the AileyCamp performance at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
An AileyCamper smiles at a West African dance class at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts in Jonesboro, Ga. AileyCamp involves modern dance, West African and ballet. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
Jelani Akil Jones, an Atlanta Ballet modern dance instructor, coaches a group at the Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts in Jonesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
Idia Enadeghe after her last performance at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center. She received her third full-tuition scholarship to train with Atlanta Ballet for a year. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
AileyCampers crowd around a bathroom counter to do their hair and makeup before a performance at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
AileyCampers laugh while waiting in their dressing room before a performance at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Ga. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
Dancers rehearse a routine at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts. Campers attended dance classes with Atlanta Ballet instructors each weekday to prepare for a show. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)
AileyCampers stand ready for rehearsal at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center in Jonesboro, Ga. Each AileyCamp accepts about 100 middle schoolers. (AP Photo/Andrea Smith)