Dear Parents and Students,

     I want to let all of you know how very proud I am of your 2021 Recital.  With only 26 students performing, this was nothing less than amazing.  Considering the circumstances of this year, Kaitlyn, Melisa, Heidi and Amanda did a great job of pulling it all together in the best way possible.  Got to admit our Assembly Theater filming and then the viewing it all on the BIG SCREEN was unique and very enjoyable. 

     In the past 47 years the Academy has taken us in so many different directions.  We have enjoyed our Performances which represented all styles of dance and dazzled our audiences with Broadway, movie and music flavors as they developed.

We’ve enjoyed competitions with Talent America in New York City, Brooklyn and Connecticut.  I cherish the many wonderful experiences in our many years with the Eastwood Family.

     The Academy went on to compete with Step Up 2 Dance in New Hampshire, where we were able to enjoy being National Champions and winners of Platinum, High Gold, and Gold level achievements across the board.

     We’ve marched to “Best in Parade” status with our Academy floats in the Autumnfest Parade and danced to whatever music we could hear while dancing our way down Diamond Hill Road.  Upon reaching the end of the Parade route, we would suit up and perform our Autumnfest Mini Production each and every year on the outside stage in the Autumnfest Field.

     I’ve had the wonderful experience of being part of so many young lives.  I’ve witnessed each student grow into adulthood and then I got to do it all again when they came to the Academy door with their own sons and daughters in hand ready for me to sit them on the bench and show them how to do a rollover on the mat.

     As wonderful as this long ride has been, everything comes to an end.  Unfortunately COVID was more than the Academy could survive.  We’ve become too small and the declining enrollment for September is forcing us to face the reality that we will have to close our doors.  We can no longer afford to meet expenses and sustain our payroll.  This decision does not come easy for any of us.  We all love our students and want to continue, but economically, we cannot do that.

     It is our hope that each student will continue their dance education and I’m confident that we’ve provided them with the very best foundation possible for them to continue with pride and to succeed.

     I will be returning your deposit money by mail so please watch for it during next week.  Please e-mail your current address so that I am mailing it to the proper place.

     We will be selling the mirrors, mats, sceneries and dance supplies in our inventory.  If you are interested in purchasing any of that, please reach out to let me know so we can make arrangements to meet.

     Please know I will be missing all of you.  I cannot even imagine where I go from here but as usual I will be off stage watching for news from all of you going forward.  I truly wish you all the very best.

                                             My love forever,

                                                    Denise