Save the Last Dance for Count Basie

While it certainly was not their last dance, Sunday marked a milestone for Kick Fitness and Dance dancers who are graduating seniors.

As the studio celebrated its 10th year, the seniors danced their final recital at the Count Basie Theater. Middletown's Kelsey Donlon was one of them. She joined fellow senior dancers Christina DaFonte of Rumson, and Alexis Jankowski , Caroline Keating and Polly Wadell of Fair Haven.

"Our five seniors are more than just students at Kick," said Vanessa Berry, owner of the studio. "They are also teaching assistants and babysitters to my own kids.  They are the backbone of our Kick family. I could not dream of better role models for our young dancers."

"It seems like just yesterday that I was scribbling notes for a business plan on turning my Kick Exercise Studio into a professional dance studio as well," said Berry. "Now here we are 10 years later with our best show ever." 

The studio, with locations in Fair Haven (740 River Road) and now Rumson (62 Carton Street), started out with just six students and today includes some 400 dancers, evidenced in the 7 hours of performances at the Basie.  The recital included all forms of dance with music that varied from classical to contemporary pop.

Check out the view finder gallery above to see some photos of the performances.