INDIANAPOLIS -- As kids around Central Indiana are returning to school, some Roncalli High School students are taking part in a brand new class offering.
Melanie Eakman used to be a student at Roncalli. This year, she's back as a teacher after a career as a professional dancer in Indianapolis.
"You know, I made the hard decision to retire," Eakman said. "I went from dancing and performing and rehearsing five-to-six days a week, and then all of a sudden, that was done."
But her dancing days weren't over – just changing. She came up with a concept to teach dance for credit during the school day and brought her proposal to the fine arts department at her former high school.
Eakman found a number of students interested in signing up. Some were looking for exercise during the day. Others thought it would be fun.
In the class, students will learn everything from ballet to jazz, contemporary to hip hop, even Bollywood and African dances.
