Center for Performing Arts Dances Back to North Andover

Jane O'Donnell has a shorter commute to work these days.

O'Donnell owns the Center for the Performing Arts, and that business has moved back from Andover to North Andover. Dance classes began in the new location on Monday.

"This is going to be great," O'Donnell said excitedly looking at the 7,500 square feet of space the new Turnpike Street location offers. She cited the need for a flood-free location, health and safety reasons and the desire to return to North Andover as the primary reasons for the move.

The Center, which is open Monday through Saturday, holds about 50 classes encompassing jazz, ballet, pointe, tap, lyric, hip hop, contemporary, creative movement and musical theatre for ages pre-school to adults.

Taking up the entire third floor of the building, with private elevator access, the new location has huge picture windows with a view to the street. Two spacious dance studios and a taproom have viewing windows so parents can observe classes. There is also a musical performance studio with a curtain for musical theater classes, an expanded merchandise store and a costume storage area.

O'Donnell, a dance teacher for 35 years, bought the dance studio on School Street in North Andover in 2001 from her daughter's dance teacher. With limited space and a growing enrollment, O'Donnell moved three years later to a larger space on Andover. She explained that there wasn't any appropriate space in North Andover at the time. But yearly recitals have still been held at North Andover High School.

The 5,500-square-foot Haverhill Street basement location became a liability when in 2006 during the Andover floods, the studios were ruined after the water rose up to the ceiling.

"Located in a basement, we kept flooding," O'Donnell said. "In 2006, we were flooded to the ceiling and lost everything. But I rebuilt because I thought it was a once in a lifetime. But then there were a number of scares when we got six inches to a foot of water. I felt a damp basement over time would create safety and health issues for our students. It was time to look on higher ground."

This time, when O'Donnell wanted to find space in her hometown, the 1820 Turnpike St. building seemed to be the "ideal location." Situated on Route 114, O'Donnell said she expects more visibility and exposure, and she pointed to recent housing developments in the area. 

She stressed that the move did not deter her Andover students, which comprise about half of her students, and she has retained 90 percent of her 300 enrolled students.

Last weekend, there was an open house for returning students to purchase dancewear and see the new space. A grand opening will be held Oct. 2, which will be a full day celebration with guest master teachers. 

Although her focus is getting the Center up and running, O'Donnell does hope to eventually add salsa, zumba and ballroom dancing classes. She is also looking forward to the CPA Performance Team, directed by her daughter, which will perform at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.