Horizon Dance Center in Brooklyn, New York has been providing quality dance education since their founding in 1972. It has always been their goal to give their students a “New York City” dance experience in their community. Horizon’s teachers are professionals who specialize in a specific field of dance. Their students are exposed to the many aspects of dance including technique, style and choreography.
Linda Abbate-Machado, the Director and owner of Horizon, has been a nationally recognized teacher and choreographer for the past 42 years. She was on the Board of Directors of Dance Masters of America NYC Chapter, and has received The Dance Teacher of the Year Award from Dance Teacher Now Magazine. Linda has taught all over the country and is sought after by many teaching organizations and competitions. Her first love has always been teaching and sharing her love of the performing arts with her students. In 2008, Linda and the Horizons Dance Center were selected as the No. 3 school in New York State and top 20 in North America.
Linda believes the main reason that her studio, Dance Horizons Center, stands out from other dance studios because her faculty is so diverse. She also believes that the fact that her students are exposed to so many different, thoughtfully chosen instructors really makes a difference. Although she was always able to teach everything, she believes it takes a village.
Their comprehensive professional training program is truly unique because it allows students to study with professionals that are experts in their field of study. Notable Horizons Alumni who often come back to share with current students include Emmy Award winning choreographer Tyce Diorio, Geo Hubela (Americas Best Dance Crew) Andrew Turteltaub (Fame, Wicked) KC Castellano (Born To Dance).
The Horizons “company” program has been preparing dancers for the rigors of a professional career and their students have made the transition from Horizons to the best college dance programs, videos, movies and Broadway. At the Horizons Dance Center web site you learn all about the various programs we offer and about Their talented and creative faculty.
She believes one of the reasons her studio is considered one of the best studios in the nation is that she’s had 42 successful seasons with Horizons. Her alumni include Tyce Diorio, Geo Hubela, KC Castellano and Andrew Turtletaub (all of which come back to continue the legacy through teaching and choreographing). She 
has a really strong recreational program. Her professional training program is very successful, yet she doesn’t turn anyone away from it. If someone is willing to put in the work, they are able to be a part of their competitive program.
When Linda was asked what has been her proudest moment coaching, she replied that in a career as long as hers, it’s hard to pick just one proud moment. She has seen her students perform in international world showcases. She was present when Tyce Diorio won an Emmy for his choreography on SYTYCD. She has watched students go from pre-ballet to winning national titles. She says that to say her job is rewarding would be an understatement.
She says that the biggest mistakes she has seen dancers make when performing has to do with the dancers not paying enough attention to the basics. She believes there are a lot of dancers trying to imitate movements that they see on the internet or on TV without understanding the technical foundation behind them. She believes the students need a more well-rounded foundation and that even if a dancer loves contemporary, more understanding of different genres would support them in becoming stronger dancers.
Linda’s idea of the “must have” dancewear items every dancer needs is different for every dancer. What she truly feels is important is for each dancer to be at ease in what they are wearing. Whether it is dancing in a bodysuit and tights or an old pair of shorts, it needs to be comfortable.
As far as her goals for this year, they are no different than any other year – to have as good a year as the year before.
Horizon Dance Studios was founded in 1972 (42 years ago) when Linda realized that a career as a professional dancer was probably not in the cards for her. Since she really loved to dance and she found that she got great satisfaction teaching and choreographing, it seemed the perfect fit to open her own studio.
Linda believes there’s something to be said for the fact that some of the best dance training in the nation is a subway ride away from her little studio. She feels obligated to prepare her students to be able to transition to absolutely whatever they dream of. For the past 42 years, she has kept a similar formula for her business and her instruction. They have grown, but they are still rooted in the same old fashioned values for hard work.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Horizon Dance Center or Linda Abbate-Machado.
For more information about Horizon Dance Factory, check out their website at http://horizonsdancecenter.com, e-mail them at horizonsdancecenter@gmail.com, or call them at (718) 339-6977.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
Linda and her staff were one of the best things to
happened to our little Brooklyn neighborhoods. She gave us and pushed us toward the opportunity to be considered top dancers in the country. She just expected it and so, then, did we. I wish I lived in Brooklyn still so my kid could take lessons there as I did for over 12 years. I worked for Linda as an assistant and later a teacher, I won national titles and was taught the value of sportsmanship as well as to be tenacious and attack every challenge with all I have. Thanks for all you did and do! My fondest memories of my childhood involve dance and Horizons-in-Dance! With Love and Respect, Mary Haywood Trapani
Horizon in Dance…was such a crucial part of my development as a woman. I started at Horizons on Kings Hwy…with Linda as my Ballet and Margeret (I think tap)…then moved to the Ave N studio. I was member of the competitive company and learned to Dance Technique and Ballet under Linda, and Jazz and funk under our dear departed Racheal. I was never a super star…but I never knew that because they treated me with respect and grace for the talent I had. My sister was a talented dancer and horizons guided her to become a successful talented dancer with a thriving career on Broadway and traveling the world. I credit Horizons in Dance for the confidence and self esteem and work ethic that I have today…along with my life long love of dance.