Dedham Dancers Perform in Annual Recital

The month of May for Beth Florentino, her daughter Lea, and hundreds of girls around town, means only one thing - the Annual Dedham Recreation Department Dance Recital.

For eight months out of the year (September to May) dozens of girls and boys have toiled in classes, held almost every day of the week at the . Each May, the children (some as young as 3 years old) from pre-K through grade 12 take their talents to the stage of the . It's time to show the whole town what you've learned and how far you've come in ballet, jazz, tap and hip-hop. Beth Florentino, herself a dancer and proud member of DMA  Chapter 5 and DTCB, instills the same hard work and pride in to her students that she has learned over the years as a professional.

The theme of this year's show - the 22nd Annual - was The Wizard of Oz. With her daughter Lea and instructors and guest choreographers: Danielle Whalen, Meghan Carroll, Kendyll Messina, Jerry Burt, Bridget Duane, Caroline Hathaway, Maddie McKenna, Allie Diehl, Lauren McElhinney, Grace McCarthy, Brittany Greenwood and Jillian Mercer - Ms. Florentino and her students put on  a show with a  staggering total of over 30 different dance numbers. Featuring a combination of both lyrical and modern dance, each segment of her Wizard of Oz had it's own costumes and music.

Effortlessly, wave after wave of children took to the stage and thrilled a packed Dedham High School Auditorium on a recent Saturday afternoon. Our Thanks and Congratulations go out to all involved in this great town tradition.