WEBVTT 00:01.933 --> 00:04.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: While many young people hope to become professional dancers, 00:04.366 --> 00:08.833 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% the cost of lessons, costumes and other equipment often keeps them from achieving their dreams. 00:11.266 --> 00:14.900 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% It is a hurdle one studio specializing in Latin American folk dance is trying to overcome. 00:16.333 --> 00:19.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% For our Student Reporting Labs, Natalie Lett reports. 00:19.433 --> 00:23.666 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% FRANK ORNELAS, Director, Rascapetatiando Dance Company: You are only allowed to be a diva on 00:23.666 --> 00:28.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% stage. At performances in your daily life, you have to be approachable and you have to be humble. 00:30.633 --> 00:33.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NATALIE LETT: Founder and instructor Frank Ornelas began Rascapetatiando 00:33.466 --> 00:35.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Dance Company in his backyard with a dream. 00:38.300 --> 00:41.633 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% Ornelas' dream is now celebrating its sixth year as a pre-professional studio in Phoenix, Arizona, 00:43.066 --> 00:45.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% specializing in a fusion of traditional and classical dance. 00:45.466 --> 00:47.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% FRANK ORNELAS: Latin American folk is rooted 00:49.733 --> 00:54.100 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% in religion, tradition, everyday holidays that people celebrate.. and I like to educate 00:54.100 --> 00:59.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% the audience. Latin American folk goes beyond the Mexican hat dance or La Bamba. 01:01.033 --> 01:03.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% So I'm trying to transform that and give them a spectacle where they're like, wow, 01:03.666 --> 01:06.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% we have seen this before, but not at this level. 01:06.133 --> 01:11.133 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NATALIE LETT: The company's style connects young dancers like 17-year-old Litzy Bugdud 01:12.233 --> 01:14.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and her younger sister, to their culture. 01:14.133 --> 01:16.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% LITZY BUGDUD, Dancer (through translator): The style of dance is from Mexico, 01:16.466 --> 01:20.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and I was born in Mexico. So it closely connects me because those are my roots. 01:20.933 --> 01:25.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NATALIE LETT: But for many families who struggle through today's economy, 01:25.266 --> 01:27.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% the cost of dance is out of reach. 01:27.366 --> 01:32.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% FRANK ORNELAS: Most parents nowadays don't have $1,200 to $1,500 laying around for 01:33.866 --> 01:37.266 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% their child to go bounce around, which I have heard many, many times. 01:37.266 --> 01:40.933 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% LITZY BUGDUD (through translator): One Jalisco dress can cost $100. 01:43.000 --> 01:47.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Also, my mother is a single mother and barely has enough money for us to get ahead. 01:49.666 --> 01:53.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% She does not have money for us to go to dance class or buy things that are not necessities. 01:53.866 --> 01:58.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NATALIE LETT: Ornelas knows what it's like to want to dance, but not have the means to. 01:58.500 --> 02:02.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% FRANK ORNELAS: My very first ballet studio that I went to, 02:02.133 --> 02:05.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I literally went up to the owner and I told her, look, I have no money, but I want to dance. 02:05.833 --> 02:10.066 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% I will clean the mirrors. I will sweep the floor. I will do whatever is necessary. 02:10.066 --> 02:15.066 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% For so many talented, bright young artists, it's so difficult to fulfill their need artistically, 02:17.033 --> 02:21.633 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% because, financially, it is such a hardship. The sponsors contribute financial support for 02:23.600 --> 02:27.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% all of the students. If there is a workshop, if there's a costume, if they need new shoes, 02:27.500 --> 02:31.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we ask the sponsors that we have on our roster. 02:31.833 --> 02:34.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And if they're able to do it 02:34.866 --> 02:39.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% at the time, most of them cover the full price of what the dancers need. 02:41.833 --> 02:44.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% MELINA GONZALEZ, Sponsor: Because I was a dancer myself, I know exactly what it takes 02:44.466 --> 02:49.466 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and how hard it is to be a dancer. And I want to be able to be there, to be that person 02:50.866 --> 02:52.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that I had growing up for these kids that don't have that. 02:52.966 --> 02:57.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% NATALIE LETT: The support provided from Ornelas and sponsors is not only financial. 02:59.333 --> 03:00.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% LITZY BUGDUD (through translator): Frank has been a big part of my life. 03:02.866 --> 03:07.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% He has taught me many things I never thought I would learn in a dance class,like 03:07.433 --> 03:12.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% how to prepare for life, how to be a better person. He has been more like a family to me. 03:17.833 --> 03:22.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% FRANK ORNELAS: Watching my kids and my dancers, the kids that I support day in and day out, 03:24.200 --> 03:27.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% look beautiful on stage really, really makes it worth it. 03:27.200 --> 03:28.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. 03:28.866 --> 03:32.400 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% NATALIE LETT: For the "PBS NewsHour" Student Reporting Labs, 03:32.400 --> 03:35.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I'm Natalie Lett in Phoenix, Arizona. 03:35.033 --> 03:38.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Such an uplifting story. Thank you.