I consider being a (former) dancer at Miss Colleen’s Elite Dancentre among some of the greatest blessings in my life. It has undoubtedly impacted the person as well as professional I am today.

The staff at EDC provides a professional level dance education but more importantly serve as role models that lead with character, compassion, accountability and love that is unrivaled. I began dancing at 3 years old with Miss Colleen herself as my teacher. With much thanks to her, dance became the sport I ultimately devoted my childhood/teenage years to. Like most kids, I tried them all; soccer, lacrosse, basketball and softball. Nothing made me feel as passionate as dance.

Ultimately, my dance career ended as a senior company member at EDC. Fast forward to today where I work as a corporate event planner at a top global Law Firm located in NYC. I am always amazed how often I see parallels of the values and lessons I learned from EDC on a regular basis at work. Being fifteen minutes early to class so you can warmup and be ready to work as soon as it starts has now translated to being 10 minutes early to important meetings with all materials fully prepared. Similarly, since a young age we were exposed to an environment preparing us for the professional world of dance, more specifically the high stress pressure of an audition. The skills of how to prepare and present myself in a professional and polished manner has lead to many successful job interviews.

Forbes ranks event planning among the most stressful industries in the world. As someone with a mild learning disability you would think a career path with high stakes problem solving, strategic planning, large budgets and long hours may not be a suitable fit. On account of my time exercising the creative and analytical parts of my brain at EDC, I have found ways to work with my disability and actually became an ideal person for the industry.

I am so grateful to have attended Miss Colleen’s Elite Dancentre from ages 4-18. Throughout these 14 years, I made countless memories that I greatly cherish to this day. Dancing at Miss Colleen’s was an outlet for me to express myself as a shy child. Reflecting on my years at Miss Colleen’s, I cannot help but notice how much I grew both as a dancer and as an individual. This exponential growth could not have been achieved without the endless support from the faculty and students. After recently earning my Bachelor of Arts in Dance, I cannot thank Miss Colleen’s enough for giving me my foundation of training as I continue on in the dance world.

Just after one dance class at Miss Colleen’s you will understand why it’s the place to be for your dance career. I entered EDC at the start of my tween years. Having little to no experience with dance, Miss Colleen and the entire studio embraced me and gave me an abundance of confidence. The environment was always homely, making me feel the most at ease before putting on my shoes and entering the room. With growth, something I’ve learned in retrospect is that dance is a form of therapy. Different types of physical movements and categories of music allow us to navigate cognitively and emotionally. It’s at Miss Colleen’s studio where I found my true form of self-esteem. EDC allowed me to be a free-spirit without forcing me to comply with societal rules of being who I am and who I’m supposed to be: frankly, I never felt judged. Although a small applause or shoutout in front of the class by Miss Colleen may seem trivial, it is actually what contributed in a huge way to building my self-esteem. Miss Colleen, along with her entire staff allows their dancers to use the studio as an outlet in various ways: after those long, studious days at school, or even after a significant and lively day, allowing you to release and feel rejuvenated. Dance teachers and dance friends are there with you. They cheer with you on your best days and help you through your worst. I began my dance journey with Miss.Colleen in grade school and ended in high school, to this day, at the age of 23, I still hold a bond with Miss Colleen. I feel fortunate to have been a part of the EDC family throughout my youth years and will always retain and cherish the studio and everything it has served me.

For a school project I had to write a letter to someone that I admire and look up to and that person is you. You are kind, loyal, and the nicest person I know. You inspired me to do the best at dance and dreams happen if you work hard. You are very funny and make me smile every day. When I walk into your dance studio it feels like my second home. I love coming there and you get me through hard times in life. You create happy environments for all your dancers and if you don’t think so here are some reasons why.

You encourage everyone to support their fellow team members. I think this is nice. You teach us that dance is a sport and if someone says it’s not you tell them it is. Also you teach us great sportsmanship. Like if someone places and you don’t you are happy for them. It doesn’t even matter. We are one team and we dance as a team. You also push me to dance the best I can in competition dances and other classes. You remind us to keep working hard. I would not be the person I am today without your help and enthusiasm. You started something, the “Being kind is cool” motto last year. We won the best studio award for our kindness and talent.

Now the studio is closed but, I like how since we are closed for a little while, you made Zoom work so we can still dance and make the best out of the situation we are in. You were a fantastic dancer and I want to live up to that like you did. You pick out great teachers to teach us and we are unstoppable. You are the best role model I can ask for.

Thank you for bringing your sweet smile into my world and always being at my side when I need it. Your dance studio lets me forget about my bad days and make it start all new. You put in so much effort for us and I really do appreciate it. The sky is the limit and I am going for it. Thanks for helping me be the person I am today.

Miss Colleen’s Elite Dancentre has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. When the studio first opened, my parents insisted that we follow Miss Colleen over and join her new adventure. EDC is really more than just a dance studio. This is where my love for dance began. Even with a rocky start, Miss Colleen loves to tell me how my Mom used to have to push me into class. I ended up falling so in love with the art of dance that I chose to pursue it in college. I have to thank my teachers for allowing me to discover myself through movement. They taught me how to be a hard worker, a good listener, a good loser as well as a gracious winner. My teachers absolutely helped to turn me into the dancer and person I am today. Although all o f my teachers have been so helpful, Miss Lauren was the one who helped me really understand the beauty of dance. She always encouraged me, and pushed me to be the best dancer I can be. I’m so lucky that at this point I can consider her not only a mentor, but a friend. During my senior year of high school, a stressful time for most people, I found an escape at the studio. I was usually there 6-7 days a week for my own classes, extra rehearsals, or assisting to teach classes for the younger kids. If I wasn’t sure that EDC was my second home before then, I was now. I had found a family within the teachers, desk staff and all of the other students. Even after graduating, I would find myself at the studio teaching over the summer, taking classes, or just saying hi. As I approached my college graduation, I still turned to the staff at EDC to help guide me in the right direction. They have always encouraged me to follow my dreams. Even now as I start my professional career, I continue to turn back to the staff for guidance. I am always welcomed back with open arms and I cannot thank everyone enough for that. EDC will always be a second home to me and I’m so happy that they have been there for me through all the ups and downs, to support me every step of the way. Miss Colleen has always been the first to help me with anything I need, inside of the dance world and out, and I know that the staff she has at the studio all have the same mindset. I truly think it is the best environment for someone to grow up dancing in, you receive incredible training as well as a wonderful support system.

Elite Dancentre is more than just a dance studio, but it is a family. It is where I met some of my closest friends and people that I will forever call my family. The girls from dance and the teachers helped me through some of the hardest times and just helped me grow up to be who I am today. Dance is something so beautiful and is an amazing way to express oneself. I will forever be thankful for all the amazing memories that I created at the studio and all of the people I got to become close to through. My wish is that everyone finds a family like the family that is created at Miss Colleen’s Elite Dancentre.

Growing up at Elite Dancentre was something that shaped me into the person I am today. Throughout every up and down I faced while growing up, the studio was an outlet that I knew would always be there for me. Being in the studio surrounded by teachers, staff, and friends, I knew I was never alone and always felt loved. So many amazing memories and relationships came from my experience at Elite Dancentre and I wouldn’t trade them for the world!

I danced for Miss Colleens Elite Dancentre for 10 years of my life! Within those 10 years, the studio taught me what it truly felt like to be passionate about something so beautiful. The studio became my family and I always knew I could count on them with anything. Miss Colleen’s Elite Dancentre was a place for me to escape from any stress I was facing in my own world. All of my school friends were big athletes whether it was lacrosse or soccer but, dance was my thing. I never felt ashamed to call my self a dancer because I knew I always had the right people in my corner at the studio. It was the place where I got to grow into the women I am today.

Thank you for everything you do.

Elite Dancentre is not only a studio in which people of all ages, colors, shapes and sizes can come and dance, but one in which everyone can feels safe to be who they truly are. I started dancing with Miss Colleen when I was two years old, and followed her through the journey of EDC until I was 18. To say that EDC was a major component of my life is an understatement. EDC gave me a home away from home, a chosen family made up of my fellow dancers and teachers, and memories that I carry with me each day for the rest of my life. I was always free to express and be myself, speak my mind without judgement, and feel any and every emotion on a daily basis. EDC helped shape me into the woman I am today and I’m forever grateful! EDC FOREVER