In 1983, award winning Reflections in Dance (“RID”) was founded by Doreen Angarano. A native New Yorker born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Doreen began dancing at the age of 9. After attending a local dance studio, she later studied at Alvin Ailey’s. Doreen’s passion became obvious by age 15, when she began teaching dance to the neighborhood kids. She also was the resident choreographer at her high school.
It is their mission to share their passion for dance with each of their students, inspiring them to be the best version of themselves. They support their dancers as they learn life lessons and encourage them, to believe in themselves.
Doreen became certified to teach all areas of dance, anatomy, and musical theater arts at Dance Educators of America. She wanted to bring her love and passion for dance to children everywhere and she wanted to include a professional feel to amateur dancers. Consequently, Doreen and her husband Mike opened their first dance studio in 1983 and, Reflections In Dance was born! Due to Doreen’s passion and love for dance their studio was immediately successful.
Ten years later, Doreen and Mike decided to expand. Doreen asked her assistant Nicole Donlon to join her as a co-owner and partner in a new Reflections studio on Staten Island. Their dance studio was thriving and in 1997 they expanded to its third location, also on Staten Island.
When their son (one of their now four children) moved to California to pursue his acting Career, Doreen and Mike also relocated to California to support him and his career. Doreen commuted to New York several times a year while Nicole actually managed the New York studios from day-to-day. Although this arrangement was successful, Doreen missed the day-to-day interaction with the studio.
As a result, Doreen opened Reflections West in the San Fernando Valley in California in 2001 with the support and enthusiasm of her New York team. It was official! Reflections in Dance was the first (and one of the only) local studio to spread “coast-to-coast!” They are located in both Canoga Park and Staten Island, New York.
Reflections has now competed nationally for 30 years with multiple studios and has 
earned hundreds of titles and awards. Unlike bigger franchises, Reflections has the same directing staff for both the East and West coast studios and teachers who travel and teach at both studios. Their teachers are leaders in the field of dance.
Whether at the East Coast studio or the West Coast studio, Reflections, is a “home away from home” for all of their students. They heavily encourage camaraderie, positive body image, perseverance and good sportsmanship. Whether a child wants to come and enjoy recreational classes or train to be a competitive dancer – they have a spot for everyone. Reflections has staff members and guest teachers that are world renowned and go above and beyond what’s expected of the average teacher.
Reflections offers training in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Creative Movement, Zumba, Combo classes, Acro, Musical Theater and Mommy/Daddy and Me for babies!
The Reflections In Dance Company is their competition team. They compete at both regional and national levels. In addition to competing two to four times a year, they may also receive other opportunities to perform during the year. All members of the team must audition each year.
Kristen Karasek, Doreen and Mike’s oldest daughter, directs Reflections West alongside Doreen. She believes that their studio stands out from others because of their family atmosphere; their older students look after their younger students; everyone knows each other’s names; and you’ll never walk in without a warm welcome and smile from the office manager.
Kristen’s proudest moment is when a student steps out in class or on stage and accomplishes something they never thought possible. These are their proudest moments all over again.
They believe that the biggest mistake a dancer makes is giving up if something is difficult. Giving up is always a mistake. They encourage their students to keep going if they really want to achieve something.
Each year they have exceptional professionally run recitals. They want their choreography to be innovative, inspirational and creative, and their students to dance their hearts out! Additionally, their competitive students compete around the country throughout the year and they look forward to putting their best foot forward, and going head to head with some of the best studios out there!
Kristen founded the charity “Dance For a Cure” in 2010 in an effort to leverage the support of the dance community and to help elevate consciousness for Multiple Sclerosis. Kristen’s leadership has inspired Reflections students, teachers and parents alike to participate in various charity events and fundraising initiatives. Featured by the esteemed Ted-X, they have participated in events that have helped raise approximately $250,000 in the last 5 years. Additionally, their late business partner Nicole Donlon started the Save the Shimmy foundation to benefit breast cancer fighters like herself. Thanks to Kristen and Nicole, giving back to those less fortunate is embedded in the foundation of Reflections.
As Reflections continues into its third decade, it still has two main studios – one in Canoga Park, California, and one in Canoga Park, California. They are humbled ad grateful for the lifelong friendships they have made and the wonderful families they have met. They are proud that they can say that many of their alumni now have careers in the dance world including owning their own dance studios.
If you would like more information about Reflections In Dance, visit their website at www.reflections.dance, call the Canoga Park Studio at (818) 999-5729 or email the Canoga Park Studio at reflectionsindance.west@gmail.com or Kristen at kristen.reflections@gmail.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and connect with them on Instagram.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Kristen Karasek and Doreen Angarano of Reflections In Dance.
