For 25 years, All That Jazz has been more than just a dance studio; it’s been a community. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary season, I wanted to share the story behind All That Jazz and why it might be the perfect place for your child to discover the magic of dance, right here in your neighborhood.
Growing up in Newton, dancing was my world. From Claflin to Newton North, every step, every twirl fueled a dream: to open my own dance studio. My senior yearbook quote, “All I ever needed was the music and the mirror and the chance to dance for you!” perfectly captured this aspiration. After graduating from Bowdoin College in 1995 and returning to Newton, that dream began to take shape.
I envisioned a dance community built on my values, a stark contrast to my own childhood dance experiences. While I loved dance deeply, the competitive atmosphere I encountered wasn’t always supportive. Too many evenings ended in tears, yet my passion for dance pushed me to persevere. This personal journey became the foundation of All That Jazz.
From day one, I was determined to create something different. All That Jazz was conceived as a haven of positivity and inclusivity. My mission became to provide a safe and nurturing space for the next generation of dancers. We wanted to create an escape from the pressures of daily life, a place where kids could leave their worries at the door and simply move. Whether a child dreams of a dance career, college dance teams, or just an hour of fun each week with age-appropriate music, every single dancer deserves support and encouragement to achieve their personal best.
My own daughter, Gabby, is a testament to this philosophy. Having danced at All That Jazz from age two through high school graduation last spring, I’ve witnessed firsthand the positive impact of our studio. She’s now continuing her dance journey at Colby College, planning to major in education and possibly minor in dance. We are thrilled to watch her perform next month! But Gabby’s story is just one of thousands from the past 25 years.
Consider Lucy Doyle, a proud All That Jazz alumna from the class of 2018 and Georgetown University class of 2022. In a recent blog post, Lucy reflected on her experiences:
“Now, at the end of my junior year, I feel like I’ve securely reached a level of comfort in my communities on campus. The journey to finding those communities, however, has made me doubly grateful for All That Jazz. Having been there since I was five, I didn’t realize all the support, learning opportunities, and leadership lessons that Miss Deb and the other teachers gave their students alongside the dancing. Being a part of ATJ taught me what it’s like to be a part of a community that cares about your entire being, and I know I’ll continue to seek out supportive communities and mentors as I move to the next stage of my life, after graduation.”
My dedicated staff and I are deeply grateful that you are considering All That Jazz for your child’s dance journey this year. We understand the trust you place in us, and we are excited for a fantastic year ahead – filled with celebration, joy, and countless opportunities to smile and have fun! If you’re looking for children’s dance classes near me that prioritize positivity, community, and a love for dance, we invite you to explore all that All That Jazz has to offer.
