Today we are featuring our Artistic Director, Miss Mary, in our latest edition of “Getting to Know You”!  The “Getting to Know You” series helps us get to know each of the Dance Connection teachers and staff we get to see at the studio every week and learn a little bit more about them.

What is your hometown? Born and raised in West Babylon, but I’ve lived in Great River since 1993.

What’s the story of how you became a dancer? I began dancing at age 11. My first dance class was a jazz class I took with friends and my dance story began.  I loved it and continued to study not only jazz but added ballet, tap, and pointe, which kept me dancing six days a week throughout junior and senior high school.  I began training to be a dance teacher at age 12 and taught my first class – jazz – at age 16.  I continued to teach dance throughout college at night after classes.  Upon graduation, I started working as a bank teller and within 9 months was promoted to be the Training Administrator for the entire company, all while teaching dance at night after work.  At age 27, I opened Dance Connection and here we are starting year 30!

What impact has dance had on your life? Dance has given me so much joy and to be able to pass that joy and passion on to my students is the best gift of all.

Why did you start teaching dance? I loved dance and seriously loved working with children so I put the two together and asked to help out my dance teacher.

What are you passionate about outside dance? I love decorating for the holidays, actually I don’t think there is a decoration I don’t like.  I also love giving back to the community through volunteering & fundraising.

What question do you wish students would ask sooner rather than later? For help to get through those times when classes are tough and they don’t feel good about themselves in regards to their ability level.

In your opinion, what makes dance such a great activity and art form? It’s Magic!  It takes you to such a wonderful place of shapes, movements, stories, emotions, etc.  When you are in that music, it is really like the saying “dance like no one is watching”.  It’s so hard to explain the feeling, but every dancer, no matter their ability, knows what I mean.

College and Major? Long Island University at CW Post Campus, Bachelor’s Degree in Education with Specializations in Early Childhood Education and Dance.

Favorite Color? Tough one!  Most would say black because my wardrobe is 90% black, but I like many colors.  Blue, pink, purple are on the top of the list.

Favorite Dance Movie? Too many to list!  Mostly old dance movies like Holiday Inn, Singin’ in the Rain, and Sweet Chairty to name a few.  Then add Grease, Hairspray, and Fame.

What’s something people might not know about you? My license plate is SMILE2U.  I wear a silver smiley face pin every single day, no matter the outfit.  I love smiley faces of any kind.  Starbucks Coffee Frappachinos are a daily staple in my life.  I also love spending time with my son, Joe, and fur-babies Jazzy & Cha Cha.

Secret Talent? Being able to turn a frown upside down with a green Safety Sally non-human figure in a stroller and get people who never met her to talk to her and take pictures with her.