Montgomery ballet dancer has roots in Selma

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Saturday, November 14, 2009

SELMA — When Dana Joshua Lanz-Ross steps onto the stage Thursday, he won’t just be taking steps as the Prince in “Sleeping Beauty,” but he will also be stepping in his grandmother’s footsteps.

Lanz-Ross’s grandmother, Willie Mae Ross, was born and raised in Selma. She left to New York in the 1950s. Now, her grandson has returned to the South to dance with Montgomery Ballet as a principal dancer and with that he is able to dance in his grandmother’s hometown.

“When Elie [Lazar, artistic director] told us that we were going to Selma, I was surprised and really excited,” Lanz-Ross said. “I told him my grandmother is from Selma and he couldn’t believe it either.”

Lanz-Ross grew up in Canada, where he studied ballet from a young age. He started his studies at the age of 3 and then took a break. He picked up again at 10 years old. He studied at Goh Ballet Academy and when he was 15 years old he was traveling and performing in Asia and Italy.

Lanz-Ross said his studies in ballet were made easier because his parents supported him.

“When I was 15 years old, I was traveling to places like Tokyo and Beijing all because of ballet,” he said. “You know some of the other guys my age would tease me over ballet, but you just have to be secure in yourself and get over it. If ballet is something you love to do, then you should give it your all because it can take you to some great places.”

Ballet led him not only to China, Japan and Italy, but also America. He traveled to Texas to study and perform and when he was there he met several other ballet dancers who eventually went to perform at the Montgomery Ballet.

While Lanz-Ross was in Canada, one of his friends told him about the company looking for another male dancer and the rest is history.

Lazar said he was excited that Lanz-Ross was able to reconnect with his family’s history.

“This story shows the truly human side of dance,” he said. “This is a great pride of Selma. Dana is at a level that is a one-of-a-kind talent. When he performed at the Davis Theater two weeks ago, people came up to me in awe. When you see the height he can cover, you know his training and talent is incredible.”

The Montgomery Ballet will be in Selma Thursday performing “Sleeping Beauty.” The performance will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at Truax and Company and Satterfield Plaza BankTrust. Orchestra section tickets are $20, general section is $15 and balcony is $10.

As Selma prepares for “Sleeping Beauty” so are the dancers.

“I called my grandmother and told her I was dancing in Selma,” Lanz-Ross said. “She was so excited for me. She told me I had to take a picture at the bridge like my parents had done earlier. I can’t wait to go to Selma.”

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