Ella Marie School of Dance in Hicksville, New York, is owned by three partners – Michele Rosner, Catherine Golub, and Ann-Marie Anderson. They are also co-Directors. Since the three partners were children, the Ella Marie School of Dance has been a very integral part of their lives. They all began learning from Ella Marie Columbo as little children and have grown up at the studio, taking lessons and studying the basics, progressing to student teachers, then full dance instructors, choreographers and now directors. They have over 75 years of combined dance teaching experience and have shared their love of dance with thousands of children, and adults, over the years. They provide a welcoming, non-judgmental, supportive studio in which children and adults can express themselves through dance.
As proud parents, each with two children, the partners fully grasp the importance of having well rounded children, who develop a passion for the arts and have a desire to continually grow and learn. As professionals they are also students regularly training through classes and conventions in order to bring new styles and inspiration to their students and they take special pride in developing talented dance instructors who focus on continual education in dance instruction.
According to Michele, Ella Marie School of Dance is a fun, family friendly place to be where their students feel like the studio is their second home and where they consider each other their dance family. Ella Marie is in its 53rd year of business. Growing up Michele and her partners AnnMarie Anderson and Catherine Golub danced at Ella Marie. In 2001, the three partners took over for the original owner Ella Marie Columbo. Michele says that their spring recitals are the highlight of the year. Parents and grandparents tell them that they feel like they are at a Broadway show. Ella Marie’s students also perform for various community and charity events that benefit such organizations as UCPN and St Jude Children’s Hospital. They also donate to the area schools’ fundraisers.
Michele feels that their recital and their performances within the community set them apart from other studios. First of all, their recital is professionally run and very organized. They keep everyone very well informed about recital details and there are no surprises such as last minute rehearsals or payments. The three partners are very upfront with their customers. Secondly, their participation in the community events helps to teach their students to give back and be involved in their community. The partners feel that they have a responsibility to not only teach their students how to dance, but also to be generous and confident people.
What the partners are the most proud of is that they have so many second and third generation dancers at Ella Marie. Many of their students come back with their own children. Their former students loved their experience at Ella Marie School of Dance so much that they want their children and grandchildren to experience the same thing. That, to the partners, is the biggest proof that they have a positive impact on their students.
In Michele’s opinion, the biggest mistake that dancers make is not having confidence in themselves. Her pet peeve is when a student says, “I can’t do it.” Michele tells them, “You can’t do it YET. That’s why you are here, to learn.”
The partners’ goals for this year are to increase enrollment, improve their retainment rate, learn more about digital advertising and put on an amazing recital.
For Michele, taking over the studio was a dream come true. She studied business in college and as graduation approached, she could not see herself sitting behind a desk in an office. When the opportunity came about for her to become a studio owner, of the studio she loved, she took it immediately! She loves sharing her passion for dance, especially for ballet, with her students. Michele hopes that she inspires them to be confident individuals in any path they choose in life.
At Ella Marie School of Dance, each child is a star! The three partners look forward to continuing their tradition of making your children the stars. Helping their students achieve their dreams and reach their dance potential is their greatest pleasure.
If you would like more information about Ella Marie School of Dance, visit their website at ellamariedance.wix.com, call them at 516-681-1484. Anyone who has danced at Ella Marie School of Dance, with Michele Rosner, Catherine Golub, and Ann-Marie Anderson or with any of the other instructors at Ella Marie School of Dance, is invited to comment on our blog.
You can’t do it YET. That’s why you are here, to learn
