By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

To hear Nora Schubert tell the story, Marcelo Pacleb didn't just teach her son to dance. He saved his life.

Pacleb is the man behind the 24-VII dance company that blew away the competition Wednesday night on "Star Search." He is not only director, teacher, choreographer and producer of the Windward-based company and dance school; for hundreds of kids,he's a role model, a mentor, even, as Schubert calls him, an angel.

Schubert's son, Mark Kanemura, was 14 when he started taking a class with 24-VII. His parents were going through a divorce and his father chose not to have contact with the boy. Dance class was Mark's one lifeline.

"Marcelo recognized not only the potential with my son as a dancer, but also saw the high risk for problems for my son because of our family situation," Schubert recalls. "As a single parent, I was struggling to survive.... It wasn't easy trying to pay rent, buy food, and other necessities, let alone trying to come up with money for dance classes. Marcelo offered Mark a position with the studio to help out teaching classes in exchange for dance lessons."

Schubert says Pacleb did it in such a way that it wasn't a handout. It was an opportunity. This wasn't so out of the ordinary, though. Pacleb gives out scholarships, he puts students on work-study, anything to help them get to class if they want it.

"He never turns anybody away," says Schubert, who, now in her line of work, sees the impact of juvenile criminal behavior. "Every time I watch my son on stage, it brings tears to my eyes because I think of where he could have been."

"Even when my son was having real difficulties and stuff, he used his dance as a positive escape. No drugs, no drinking; never with my son. No truancy. Never. Because dance was the motivation."

To witness a 24-VII Danceforce concert is an experience of a lifetime. The December performance at the Ronald E. Bright Theatre was an action-packed three hours. There is nothing small-town about this small-town group. Now a national television audience has been able to see that professionalism and excellence.

But what you don't see on stage is the excellence that is required beyond dance class, beyond rehearsal.

"With Marcelo, you cannot cut out of school," says Schubert. "... He tells the kids, 'Eh, while you're waiting for your turn to go on stage, do your homework.' "

"Marcelo is a great example of showing the community that one person can indeed make a difference," says Schubert.

Her son is 19 now, but he is not one of the five on the "Star Search" team. He's on a dance contract with Tokyo Disney, with three other dancers from 24-VII. Marcelo Pacleb's influence is international. But most importantly, it's right here at home.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.