Its official opening is two weeks away, but the North Texas Youth Education Town is already getting rave reviews from someone who know a thing or two about rave reviews. When Melissa Young and her troops from her Dallas Black Dance company stopped by last week, they were thoroughly impressed with not just the dance studio in the 38,000-square-foot building but the entire structure itself.

"Nice, real nice," said Young, the associate artistic director of Dallas Black Dance. "I'm quite impressed with the facility here. It's going to be so great for youth in Arlington to be exposed to this."

Young and four of her dancers - Jasmine Black, Christopher McKenzie Jr., Jamie Thompson and Alyssa Harrington - did something that is highly sought after by anyone remotely interested in dance: a hands-on workshop as part of the center's Art Extravaganza. About a dozen aspiring dancers turned out for the workshop in the dance studio at YET, the recreation and education center that is the result of a $1-million donation from the National Football League and the $1-million matching funds from the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation, required by the NFL from the Host Committee. These centers are constructed in cities where the Super Bowl is played.

The students got a chance to hear the stories of how each dancer made their way to the company, what education was involved and what kind of perseverance they had to endure.

It's rare to get this up close and personal to the dancers, and the students got a chance to watch the four perform improvisational dances. They also got the opportunity to learn a few moves before sitting down and talking in even more detail about what it takes to become a professional dancer.

"You have to be willing to sacrifice, to know that this is something you love so much that you'll do what needs to be done in order to make your dream a reality," said Thompson, who is a native of Belize.

Harrington, who is from Nebraska, talked about dance being "my lifeline" and how at the same age as the students she decided to devote herself to becoming a professional dancer.

Dance is just one of the many arts offered at YET. Jackie Campbell, director of education outreach for Theatre Arlington, was there to make sure the students knew about the dramatic performance classes they will be able to take as well.

"This is just a preview of what they are going to be doing for their afterschool programs," Campbell said. "We're just so excited about this opportunity, to be able to bring the arts to these kids who ordinarily wouldn't get a chance to be exposed to this."

Both Young and Campbell called themselves "proponents" of getting kids interested early in the arts.

"This isn't necessarily about being on Broadway or dancing professionally for a ballet," said Campbell. "It's about gaining confidence, of being educated in the world of arts. It's all about exposure."