Photo by Joselyn King Cheryl Pompeo, director of Oglebay Institute’s School of Dance, is honored by the Oglebay Institute Board of Directors for 40 years of teaching dance there.

WHEELING – Cheryl Pompeo, director of Oglebay Institute’s School of Dance, became a dancer because she was a biter as a toddler.

“Anything I really didn’t care for… you got three, ‘no, thank yous,’ then I would bite you,” she explained. “So my mom thought she should probably put me into someplace where I could be socialized before I went to school.

“I fell in love with it (dance). I fell in love with the magic and the sparkle and the glitter.”

Later, as an adult, she discovered Oglebay Institute’s dance program. For the past four decades, she has been an instructor there.

On Thursday, the Oglebay Institute Board of Directors honored her 40 years of teaching there. She was presented with a proclamation, and surprised with a metal nameplate stating “The Cheryl Pompeo Dance Studio” which will be hung outside her studio.

The proclamation, in part, reads, “Cheryl Pompeo’s leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for the arts have empowered students to pursue excellence not only in dance, but in every chapter of their lives.”

Danielle McCracken, president of Oglebay Institute, spoke of what Pompeo means to the organization.

“Cheryl Pompeo is absolutely amazing,” she said. “She brings her heart, her soul, her expertise to the School of Dance, and has done so for 40 years with Oglebay Institute. We’ve seen the studio grow from Towngate Theatre …, and now our outreach is strong.

“We really appreciate all that you continue to do. You inspire our kids not only to be great dancers, but also great people.”

Pompeo was made happy by the honor.

“I think it’s great to work for an organization that appreciates all that you do and applauds all your successes with your students – of which we’ve had many,” she said.

Pompeo acknowledged that dance has changed during her four decades as a dance instructor.

“Dance has evolved from classical ballet only here at The Institute into adding a jazz class, and into adding a tap class. Then there was a hip hop class, which comes and goes. We’ve had belly dancing, which isn’t here anymore, and we’ve added tai chi.

“So all of our extra-special dances come in and they change all the time.”

And what kind of dance does Pompeo like to do? And which does she like to teach?

“I love to teach ballet, but I love to perform tap,” she said. “I have to say I like to work with 4-year-olds the best.

“They are so excited about everything. They want to be a ballerina. They believe in magic, sparkle and glitter, and it’s just exciting to see them progress. Most of them stick with us until they are 17 years old.”

The dance program is open to students ages 4-17.

And Pompeo also still dances.

“I do, to some extent,” she said. “I work out every day. I work out with the kids. We do stretches and bar work together. It’s not a regimen the way it should be… but yes, I do (continue to dance).”