When You're at Broadway Bound, You're Family

When Broadway Bound Performing Arts Center went head-to-head with Swan Chocolates in the final round of Patch's Readers' Choice Small Business Tournament back in June, it was set to be a battle.

The two businesses had each garnered hundreds of votes in the first rounds of the tournament, both well-loved for their own reasons.

And yet it's no surprise that the dance studio came out on top, given that in the 15 years since they opened in town, more than 3,000 students – adults and children – have passed through the studio's doors, taking with them a class, or a childhood worth of lessons and memories.

Owned by Jennifer DeFelice, Broadway Bound is home to dozens of dance, tumbling, music and aerobic classes each week, training students from 2 to adult.

But Broadway Bound isn't just any dance school. In addition to casual classes, competition and performance teams and music classes, DeFelice said a big part of the school's program is its focus on community service and stewardship.

"One of the biggest things we try to teach them is to give back,” DeFelice said.

In addition to volunteering at community events, they have water vending machines that are part of a program to send water filters to Honduras, in 2009 they ran a drive to send 2,500 blank greeting cards to send to soldiers in Baghdad to send home to their own families and friends, and they participate in benefit fundraisers.

Broadway Bound has been in Merrimack for 15 years and DeFelice and Performing Company Director Raegan Lope have been dancing together for more than 30 years, starting as children in New York's Hyde Park.

The pair went their separate ways, but a couple years after DeFelice opened Broadway Bound – at first next door to Merrimack House of Pizza – they reconnected. Lopez has been teaching at Broadway Bound for 12 years.

“I think there are a lot of things that make us different,” DeFelice said, pointing out that they have boys-only classes, classes designed for students with special needs and in addition to dance classes they offer musical theater, piano and guitar lessons.

Broadway Bound also leases out space to instructors who teach Zumba, belly dancing and other aerobics classes.

In the fall, Lopez is starting an adult hip hop class and she was just certified in TRX Suspension Training, so she's looking forward to bringing something new to the studio.

They have 42 students who dance in competitions, but DeFelice said if you've ever seen the TV show "Dance Moms," it's about as far from that as you can get.

There is no competition between the students at the school and they try to create a feeling of community like none other.

“We want to foster a healthy environment for Merrimack and kids in the surrounding community to not only learn dance but to have fun and establish lifelong memories,” DeFelice said.

They spend so much time with some of the youth that come through there, that they are fondly known as Mama J and Mama Rae.

And for DeFelice and Lopez and the other five instructors at Broadway Bound, nothing is more important than having fun.

“It's really exciting to share with them what we love and to have them just run with it,” Lopez said.

“I love that feeling of when they finally get it,” DeFelice added. “Sometimes I'll yell out 'yes' so loud I scare them half to death.”

But some of the most special moments happen outside of the studio.

DeFelice said she's been invited to past students' college graduations, their swearing in after passing the bar exam and that feels amazing.

They're like family, DeFelice said, and it's inspiring for her and the other teachers when someone they've worked so hard to inspire and teach accomplishes something great.

“These kids go from tiny tutus to driving and we are with them for all the years in between,” DeFelice said.

And from the comments left on the and summer, it's obvious their students and families feel the same way about them.

Michelle LaBrosse said: "Their dedication and enthusiasm in what they do shows and it makes for a wonderful experience for my daughter!"

Samantha, a Broadway Bound alum, had this to say: "Broadway Bound has provided many great opportunities for many children in the Merrimack and surrounding towns. Many opportunities that this facility has provided are for students are teaching children the importance of not only doing things for yourself but also helping others along the way. Broadway Bound has provided the students the chance to dance at Walt Disney World, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Celtics Games! But more importantly have provided many different volunteer opportunities such as Buddy Walks and Breast Cancer Walks which raised such funds to find a cure!

"Also Broadway Bound Sponsors Pure Water Vending which every bottle of water that is sold goes to Hunduras to provide water filtration systems for the people who don't have clean drinking water. Most importantly though is that all of these events and Walks have provided the students with many great opportunities to understand the importance of helping others. All these things make Broadway Bound the best small business regardless if the win the actual title ...  As an alumi of Broadway Bound I am grateful for the many different community out reach events that we have done and will continue to do. I can not thank the employees and staff of Broadway Bound enough for their efforts to not only shape each students as a dancer but also as a productive member of society."

On their , where Patch users are invited to rate and review businesses, Sherre Dubis writes, "My daughter attends Broadway Bound. She loves coming to dance and has learned so much. Most importantly, this studio allows everyone an opportunity, including special needs kids. This studio has opportunities "year round" to enjoy, which allows my daughter to continue learning dance techniques. If you have never seen these dancers perform, and you are looking for a studio for your child, come to their recital this June and see the level that some of these dancers can perform at. The teachers are very encouraging to my daughter!"

Summer classes at Broadway Bound begin on Monday, July 30, and run for three weeks. Fall classes begin Sept. 10 and run through June. Students are accepted through January, DeFelice said so that students have time to prepare for recitals at the end of June.

Starting today, the competition teams are participating in nationals up in Portland, Maine.