by Bonnie Williamson To dance is to move one’s feet or body rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music. It comes in many forms, one being ballet. Ballet involves complicated choreography and its performances are found throughout the world. However, most people don’t think ballet or other forms of dance are being taught in some place like West Virginia, the home of country roads and farms. A dance apparel shop for those dancers seems like an even more far-fetched idea. Well, those people are wrong. Despite the fact that dance had always been a part of her life, Mercedes Prohaska never thought of having her own dance apparel shop or being co-owner of a dance school in the tiny West Virginia town of Shepherdstown. “I have been a teacher and dance mom for more than 20 years,” Prohaska says, smiling. “But dance was on the back burner for a while. I had a government job in Washington, DC, but I wanted more flexibility in my life. I wanted to be closer to home,” Prohaska says. Her daughter Harlee became involved with dance, taking lessons at a local dance school in Shepherdstown, three times a week. There, Prohaska became friends with one of the teachers, Emily Romine. When the school relocated and left the area, Prohaska kept hearing from the community that Shepherdstown needed a dance school. “People knew us. They wanted a dance school they could trust. We decided to make a fresh start on our own. Have high quality teachers. We took over the former dance studio space and started the Shepherdstown School of dance in 2003.” Shepherdstown School of Dance offers classes in ballet, jazz/modern, and tap. The school currently has 75 students. “We are committed to keep the art and discipline of classical dance alive in our community,” says Romine. The school eventually moved to 400 Princess St., but something was missing. “There was no store in the area where dancers could buy the clothes and supplies they needed. They had to travel to Hagerstown and Frederick in Maryland,” Prohaska says. So in 2011, Encore Apparel in Motion moved to 108 East Washington St., next door to Shepherdstown School of Dance. Still, there is no pressure for the dance students to shop at Encore. “They can shop anywhere they like,” says Romine. “But every time I walk through the store, well I love everything.” Encore has a wide assortment of leotards for children and adults and even gymnastics leotards. There are Capezio tights, dance skirts, dance bags, tap shoes, character shoes for recitals and many other dance supplies all colorfully displayed. Prohaska takes pride in the fact that she has a good relationship with other dance schools, local high schools and universities in the area. She constantly emails her contacts to keep on top of their changing requirements for everyday classes as well as recitals. “Dance schools have different ‘uniforms,’ like different colored leotards for different age groups. I keep a list of dance school requirements so people never have to guess about what is needed. There are discounts for dance teachers. I provide free professional fittings for individuals and groups. I will travel to other studios to do fittings,” Prohaska says. And fittings are particularly important when it comes to a very special item of dance apparel: pointe shoes. “Mercedes is so good at pointe shoe fittings. She really knows what she’s doing and that is so important. We want them to have a quality fit. You can’t get that ordering online,” says Romine. Prohaska has even been recommended by other dance schools. Pointe shoe fittings can take from 30...