OUR HISTORY

I started dance lessons later than I wanted. I remember begging to dance at around seven years old. Finally, at age 10 and late in the dance season, I was able to join a dance class of tap, jazz and ballet at a wonderful studio in Ballston called Dunster's Dance Studio. I loved taking dance and practiced every night after dinner.

I started assisting a few years later, and at age fifteen conducted my first class of young ones. After graduating high school at seventeen, I knew dance was going to be my career, and I opened my own studio that fall. I started my studio at the American Legion in Ballston Spa with about sixty students. I loved it! Over the years, I attended many dance conventions and took dance classes with many famous instructors. Passing on my knowledge of dance to others was very gratifying.

The year after I opened my studio, I moved to Geyser Road in Milton and ended up with over 200 students. Wow! I taught all the classes (including aerobics) myself, with a few student teachers assisting in classes of younger students. One of those assistants was Michele (Butler) Stepien, the current Director of Joanne's Dance Center.

Through the years I was located on Route 50 in Ballston Spa and once again back on Geyser Road. One of my students, Candace (Miller) Harblin, also assisted with classes, and is now one of my competition instructors. She enjoys teaching as much as ever and has had great success!

Yet another former student is also a current instructor: Samantha (Fort) Lucia. Samantha works with preschool through adults and has been a big part of JDC over the years.

I am proud to say that I have had all these wonderful dance instructors at JDC for the last twenty years (and hopefully many more). They stay up to date on what’s new in the dance world and enjoy passing it on to their students.

After a while, my business expanded and rent was getting expensive, so my husband and I decided to build our own studio, now the current location of Joanne's Dance Center at 326 Rowland Street in Ballston Spa (and also known as The Milton Arts Center).

I believe in accommodating all types of students, and providing whatever dance instruction they're looking for. JDC does enjoy a reputation for amazing competition teams, but we also have classes for the student that just wants to learn dance as a hobby, and have fun with it.

You don't just learn dance when you attend dance class; you also learn coordination, rhythm and how to follow directions. You'll make new friends, too.

At JDC, students of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and dance with us, from pre-school to adult and beginner to advanced.

I can never express in words what studio life has meant to me. It wasn't "part of my life"--it was my life, and probably will always continue to be. The 2009-10 season will be our 33rd year!

As always...happy dancing!