Dancing Delights

During the past 21 years, The Wilton Dance Studio has earned the title of "Fairfield County's Premier Dance Studio."

Director Brenda Froehlich is working not only to instill a love for dance in her students, but also to maintain the Studio's unique presence and reputation in the community despite the current economic crisis.

There has been a "noticeable difference," said Froehlich, in enrollment, caused mainly by the downturned economy. However, she remains "optimistic for the future."

The Studio's mission is to "create a school for students of all ages, races and backgrounds to learn about dance and all it offers in the development of grace, strength and positive self-image." Pulling in students from all over Connecticut, as well as New York, the school is "committed to providing a well-rounded, quality dance experience for all its students."

Dance is an "investment in the physical, spiritual, and emotional health," said Froehlich, and she believes that studying dance has the ability to "enrich, enhance, and clarify [a] child's life experience."

Having studied ballet locally, Froehlich began teaching dance 25 years ago in the school she attended before opening her own studio in 1989, first in the town's Congregational Church and later in her own space in the current studio.

"I knew I needed to teach," said Froehlich, whose career has included stints in New York, Connecticut, Rumania, and Switzerland. Along with being the former Dance Chairman of the Wilton Arts Council, The National Registry of Who's Who has recognized Froehlich, who is a lifetime member of the society, for her commitment to teaching dance to children and young adults.

"The director and staff continue to train, perform and participate in professional development activities," as described in the school's mission, to stay up-to-date with techniques and skills.

In addition to Froehlich, the Studio also has three other teachers on its faculty. Ballet teacher Debra MacDonald has over 20 years experience in both ballet and theater. Her background includes work with the American Ballet Company, Stamford City Ballet, and Boston Ballet, among others as well as being a member of multiple dance companies throughout the East Coast.

Caitlin Roberts, the Studio's contemporary, modern, and jazz teacher, "has been part of the Connecticut ballet and theatre community" for multiple years. She has training and performance experience in classical ballet, modern, tap, jazz, and hip-hop and has studied with Connecticut Ballet, New England Academy of Dance, and Curtain Call, Inc.

Jennifer Russell's background extends into dance study, teaching, and performance. She holds a BA in music from Wellesley College, where she also studied in the college's modern dance department. Additionally, Russell studied ballet for 10 years with Marthe Krueger in New Canaan, as well as at The Bard College Summer Dance Program.

Located in the center of Georgetown in Wilton, the Studio offers classes for various age groups, ranging from preschool children to high school teenagers, and holds over 60 sessions each week. Past students have gone on to study at American Ballet Theatre, The Rock School of Ballet, Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Central Pennsylvanian Youth Ballet, among others. According to Froehlich, the main goal of the school, along with teaching dance skills, is to instill a love of dance and all forms of performing arts for their student's lives.

In addition to the traditional ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary classes that are offered, the school performs two shows annually: "The Nutcracker" at Christmas and the Spring Show.

In June, the school holds its annual Spring Show. Although not mandatory for students, each class performs a piece in the show. In previous years, the school has done "The Four Seasons," "Romeo and Juliet," and an original piece based on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream." The Spring Show, which holds a total of three performances, is also held at the High School's Center for Performing Arts and has sold about 600 tickets for each performance in previous years.

However, like other local businesses, the Wilton Dance Studio has also felt the repercussions of the recent economic decline.  The school, which is entirely self-supported, relies nearly entirely on tuition dollars to keep the facility function. Tuition, which ranges from $350 a term for younger children to $3,275 a year for the more advanced classes, is the main source of revenue for the school. The two major performances students can participate annually include fees ranging from $75 to $250.

Despite the Studio's reputation and past success, the economy has made it harder for some families of students to pay the necessary tuition and fees, and has subsequently caused a decline in enrollment. In response, the school offers some payment plans and "volume discounts" of five to ten percent for families with multiple students at the school and those taking more than three or four classes a week.