Mary Lou Hale's School of Dance To Close After Over Half Century

A longstanding fixture along Lake Hiawatha's downtown, Mary Lou Hale's School of Dance announced it would be closing after the summer 2019 classes.

"After 56 wonderful years, Mary Lou Hale’s School of Dance will be closing its doors at the end of our August Summer Session. As you know, I have been a part of the studio my entire life but the time has come to say goodbye," posted the school's director, Karen Hale Assante, on Facebook. She cited that despite best efforts it was no longer feasible to continue.

The school dates back to 1962, when Mary Lou Hale hosted a dozen local children in her own home. The studio relocated to several spots in Lake Hiawatha, before landing at 135 North Beverwyck in 1997.

Many of the instructors, including: Miss Dawn, Miss Deanna, Miss Jackie, Miss Judie and Miss Gail are moving over to the Dance with Danielle studio in East Hanover. The owner Danielle, was a prior student at Mary Lou Hale's.