Idaho Falls

44 IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE AUGUST 2019 and be better at what you're trying to accomplish," Nelson said. "You have to have that discipline to be successful." Each Stasia team member comes to prac- tice ready to focus solely on their work, even leaving their phones in a wooden box until it's time to go home. Parents will text Nelson if they need to get a hold of their child. Nelson believes discipline is greater than obedience, and there has to be some self- motivation among his students. At their practice facility at the Extreme Ballroom in Ammon, members work togeth- er on their assigned project without always being compelled by Nelson. The performers even designed and made their own cos- tumes this year. "I don't want to hold their hand," Nelson said. "The one thing we want them to do is to be able think on their feet and outside the box. I don't want them to be an echo of me." Like their mentor, many in the troupe found circus acrobatics to be a foundation toward a more prosperous life. Those who are in school have improved their grades, most of them earning A's and B's. Those who work have also excelled at their jobs. A little while ago, Nelson got to meet one of his student's bosses. The supervisor asked him, "You got more?" "My goal is to make them successful not SEPTEMBER 19 COLONIAL THEATER $45/$40/$30 Tickets available at idahofallsarts.org 208-522-0471 Presale through Aug 9 General Sales begin Aug 19 Not affiliated with the estate of Whitney Houston Idaho Falls Arts Council presents IFMag_Aug19.indd 1 6/13/2019 4:51:58 PM 2318-15IFArtsCouncil13v.indd 1 6/17/19 10:59 AM

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