Hard work and dedication … that has been the “winning philosophy” of Beth Florentino and the Dedham Recreation Dance Department for the past 24 years!
Ms. Florentino, a seasoned professional dancer, has built a career teaching the young women of Dedham a combination of contemporary and modern dance, including ballet, tap, jazz and a version of hip hop.
Each year, upwards of 100 girls (along with some boys) start instruction in September, and there are rehearsals almost nightly, until the annual recital which is held each May.
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Beth Florentino prides herself on not only giving each individual dancer the attention they need to succeed, but on keeping this Town-run program built around a sense of family.
Her students (some as young as 3 years old) are made up of children ranging from Pre-K through grade 12. For most, they start young and don`t leave until they graduate from high school. Her instructors, including her much-loved daughter Lea (herself an accomplished dancer) along with Jackie Stipo and Kendyll Messina, came from within the ranks.
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The eight months of aching muscles and hard work at the Dedham Recreation Dolan Center, was recently put on display for the Town to see. Although each year has a distinctive theme, this performance (their 24th annual) proved to be an extra special one!
It was just last September, as the school year and dance classes were scheduled to begin, that Dedham`s Kris and Joe Ahl (along with brothers Michael and Stephen) unexpectedly lost their 10 year old daughter Nicole Marie. In addition to being a cheerleader for Dedham Pop Warner Football, Nicole Ahl was a “dancer.” Since just about the time she learned to walk, Nicole was a fixture at Dedham Rec. Dance. No matter how grueling the routine or how long the rehearsal, Nicole`s instructors and fellow dancers could always count on her infectious smile and upbeat attitude to get them through. Beth Florentino told us that “some girls are just special like that.”
This year`s recital would be the first without Nicole, so it was only natural to “dedicate the show to her.” The two hour performance, with almost 30 different choreographed numbers, was only to be outdone by the touching “slideshow tribute to Nicole” compiled by Parks and Recreation Director Bob Stanley. Stanley spent hours searching the videos of past performances and coupled the clips with still shots the girls have taken each year. There wasn`t a dry eye in the house.
As the Dedham High School lights were raised, Ms. Beth and her instructors took to the stage, giving their thanks to all of the dancers, the audience, and to the Ahl Family. “We wanted Nicole to be here with us tonight.”
With the support of Bob Stanley and Assistant Director Debbie Anderson, it was announced that each year Dedham Recreation would offer a “Nicole Ahl Scholarship” to one dancer who best represents the hard work of its namesake. This year, Dedham`s Meghan Spencer became the first recipient.
So for now, the hard working dancers of Miss Beth, Miss Lea, Miss Jackie and Miss Kendyll will all get the summer off, but rest assured they will be right back at it in September. Congratulations!
Story and Photos by: Joe Kilroy
