Family business celebrates 50 years spanning 3 generations.

Family business celebrates 50 years;

spanning 3 generations!

President Nixon was inaugurated, man took his first steps on the moon and the Art of Dance was founded. The year was 1969 and it would be remembered for many firsts!

Chester resident, Florence Lambros, enjoyed a lustrous career as a professional dancer in New York City. The mother of four had a vision to bring quality dance training to, what was at the time, a rural community. In a rented space inside Randolph VFW Hall, the studio began with 79 students offering ballet, jazz and tap classes 2 days per week. Without the benefit of a dedicated phone line, Ms. Florence relied on her student’s referrals and two days quickly turned into four. For 18 years mirrors would be put up and taken down each day.

In 1983 the Art of Dance moved to Chester. For two years the classes in Randolph continued and in 1985 the studio consolidated operations in the Chester Springs ShopRite shopping center. Occupying their own studio permitted Art of Dance to sell leotards to students and create what is now the Essential Dance Shop. Beginning with just a few items the store was successful and even offered a full line of girls party dresses. Enrollment increased, more classes were added and teachers were hired. Chester Karate Academy rented space from Art of Dance. This partnership between the two produced its largest success when Ms. Florence’s daughter, Valerie met her husband Chuck Harman who was a student at Chester Karate Academy.

The dance competition company was born and Ms. Florence’s daughter Valerie Harman formed the Company at the studio. The first season there were 4 members and at it’s peak boasted 60+ dancers. Ms. Valerie became the Company Director and her dancers are recognized as some of the best in the country. Over the years they have performed on countless professional stages throughout New York City and even crossed the pond to perform at Sadler Wells in London.

After 12 years in the shopping center Ms. Florence received the news the lease would not be renewed to make room for the new gym Xercise. It was just weeks before the fall classes started and for 2 years the studio operated from the old Williamson building on Main Street.

When the building was closed for renovation the Art of Dance moved to a new building located on Seminary Ave. in Chester, most recently occupied by Peak Performance. The additional space allowed for a small retail boutique and three fully equipped studios.

In 2007 the Art of Dance had outgrown their space and relocated just across the street to a newly designed 8,000 square feet state of the art facility, which they occupy to this day. The small retail boutique transformed into the Essential Dance Shop stocked with the most notable brands and everything “essential” a dancer needs.

The studio offers over 120+ classes during the season in all styles of dance. From the youngest dancers in the Mommy & Me class, BOYS only and Irish classes to the many adult offerings. Students are two to seventy two years old. In addition to classes the summer schedule is packed with weekly camps for every age, style and level. Year round there are fitness classes in yoga, Zumba and Barre. In 2013 Chester Karate Academy moved back into sharing studio space with the Art of Dance and has been owned by Chuck Harman since 2017. Speaking of keeping the business in the family, Ms. Valerie’s daughter, Linsey O’Neal, a successful commercial dancer in New York and Los Angeles, teaches at the studio regularly.

In a town where we see too many small businesses closing or struggling to survive, what is the key to Art of Dance’s longevity?

FAMILY! The proprietors, employees and EVERYONE who enter the studio become part of the AOD family. The space has a welcoming atmosphere with free WiFi and a comfortable room for the students to do homework, a parent who wants to catch up on emails or to share some snacks with your dance friends. There are viewing windows so parents can watch their children in class.

QUALITY! The studio is proud to have the most prestigious dance educators in the industry. Many of the staff are working professionals who travel from New York City every day to teach the students. When you ask them about their willingness to commute to small Chester, NJ they consistently cite the same reason “I LOVE the dancers!”

COMMUNITY! Philanthropy is one of the core values the studio emphasizes to its students. During the holiday season dancers entertain residents at local nursing homes. They can also be seen every year Irish dancing at the Publick House on St. Patrick’s day, dancing at the 4H fair each summer and dancing for the 50+ club.

FUN! Many Art of Dance students and alumni have had a successful career. They have graced the stages of Broadway, Radio City Music Hall or toured with professional companies. But at the heart of it all, the goal is to have FUN! Make new friends and learn from each other.

Ms. Florence retired a few years ago, though it is fairly common to catch a glimpse of her and her furry dog Morag at the studio. In 2012, Ms. Valerie became the owner and she and her husband Chuck Harman are the official proprietors of the Art of Dance and Chester Karate Academy. When asked what she hopes to impart on her students she responds “Most importantly to be good and kind people”

Congratulations to the Harman Family! Chester is proud to call you her own!