FineLine Theatre Arts & Bearclaw’s Academy of Music in New Milford, CT

What is the recipe for an ever growing and successful Performing Arts School in Western Connecticut? Take Astaire Award winning worldwide professional dancer, choreographer and instructor, Elizabeth Parkinson; Tony Award & Astaire Award winning actor, dancer, choreographer and instructor, Scott Wise; and add a heaping helping of Boston's School of Rock Bass Department Chair, Joe Burcaw. Mix it in with highly professional dance and theatre teachers and you get the magnificent main course of FineLine Theatre Arts & Bearclaw’s Academy of Music in New Milford, CT.

Yes, you read right. Not only does the facility at #77 Railroad Street in New Milford have top notch ballet and drama studios, they also have recently renovated their space to house individual music studios for professional musicians to give lessons in instrumental and vocal performance under the name Bearclaw's Academy of Music. “I love walking through the building hearing a ballet class, tap class, acting rehearsal, violin lesson, voice lesson and a jazz class happening all under one roof. It’s great being around all these varied performing arts disciplines and artists working on their craft”, says co-founder, Scott Wise. “My son, James, and I had been taking lessons at Joe’s former Bearclaw studio locale and realized that I knew some of his great teaching staff. One day he said he was looking for a new space. The light went on. How cool would it be if we were all under one roof. And we both said, ‘why not’?” Mr. Burcaw goes on to say, “I joyously realized this is a blending of the arts occurring under the same roof unlike anything else being offered in the area. You can honestly feel the love and energy every time you walk through our doors, it's infectious!"

Eighteen years ago, Elizabeth and Scott started FineLine after their move to Sherman, CT. “There were many contributing reasons why we started FineLine. I had a great run in show business for 25 years. Liz and I had a brand-new bouncing baby boy, and my body was feeling the need to move on. I had always loved teaching and the idea of having a performing arts school had stuck in my mind for years. Enough talk, do. So, we opened FineLine," Mr. Wise continues. "The first building was on 66 Railroad Street, with three working studios to get us off the ground, but our enrollment and class qualifications were growing, so we needed more room. Greg McGill had the building across the street available. This made it much easier to work on the building, 77 Railroad Street, while I was teaching at 66 Railroad Street.”

FineLine’s reputation still grows by leaps and bounds, including being two-time winner of Litchfield Magazine’s Top Performing Arts Schools in the region. Joe, Scott and Liz are looking forward to this September when new teachers and programs will be joyfully implemented. Please stop by or contact them for more information.

Websites: https://finelinetheatrearts.co... https://bearclawsacademyofmusi...