TJE Dance Force studios in Saint James and Holbrook, New York, are more than just award winning dance schools – they are truly a “family.” Aside from being run by a family, they pride themselves on the warm and welcoming atmosphere established for all of their clients, students, and their families. Whether it is their families that have been with them for more than 20 years or the families that have just recently joined them, the camaraderie and feeling of love and support is the same!
What makes TJE different from other studios is that they are not “One Trick Ponies.” Not only is their competition team large and successful, but they are proud to have a sizable recreational program, a growing all boys program, a booming toddler program, and a rewarding special needs program which caters to dozens of physically and mentally disabled children in their community. They are so happy to be involved in the lives of each of their students, whether it be for just one class a week or for several hours, and shaping their dancing for a future career!
They believe the best part of TJE is the wonderful families that have been with them over the years and the many still with them since opening in 1993. Their studio has attracted the nicest families around which has only helped make their studio what it is today!
TJE is very proud of all of their dancers, for the distinguished awards and for the little accomplishments they achieve in class each week, but some of their proudest moments have been off the stage. As a daily influence in these children’s lives, they are called to instill “life lessons” in their students, and there’s always a moment of pride when they witness them really “get it.” When they put competition aside and genuinely befriend dancers from another school . . . when they work as a team to perfect the choreography . . . and a personal favorite; when they finally let their guard down, with no fear of judgment or error, and then they realize there’s a whole new side to dancing when they do so!
Additionally, TJE is a studio with a heart! They pride themselves on their involvement in the community – not only with special needs children but with disaster relief (local and nationwide). It is more than just dance at TJE!
In the opinion of Jessica Florian, the Assistant Director, the biggest mistake she sees in the dance world is not so much a mistake as it is a pattern that she wishes competitive studios would break. So often at competition, dancers, parents, and teachers alike are so caught up in the blur of “Platinums” and “1st Overalls” they forget that they are all there for the same reason – they love dance. It almost seem normal for dancers to exchange dirty looks, parents to bicker, and teachers to create conflict. The dance world is so small and Jessica wishes there was more of a feeling of friendship between studios who compete against one another. This is not to say that it doesn’t exist, because they do have several schools whom with which they are friendly, and the weekends they compete with them are the most enjoyable! After all, when your friends win, you feel like you win as well!
Each year they always have one goal – happy and successful students. However, this year it is more than that! This year they embarked on the adventure of opening a second location. Their goal for that studio is to make it just as successful as their original location, and to create a new family with all of their students there!
Their 2015 Ivy League Performing Arts Intensive Workshop offered a once in a lifetime opportunity by bringing Broadway to Smithtown. Children were immersed in a fantastic performing arts and dance three-day workshop. This intensive three-day workshop offered each participant quality private and Ivy group training in Musical Theatre performance and audition techniques. Classes included Audition Prep, Private Vocal instruction, Dance/Ballet and Musical Theatre, Stage Deportment, and Coaching. Each participant had a professional head shot taken and received information on how to create and prepare their own theatrical resume. The workshop ended in a daytrip to Manhattan where the participants toured Ballet Hispanico’s School of Dance and then sang and danced for Broadway’s Nora Brennan Casting. Nora offered feedback and answered questions about her life in the theatre and about casting children for Broadway, film and television.
Tina Ciardullo started this studio at the ripe, young age of 18. She loved dancing, loved performing and had a serious talent for teaching. She met the late Gene Anthony Ray in an airport, and discussed with him her dream of having her own dance school. They kept in contact, and months later, at TJE’s grand opening in 1993, Gene Anthony Ray came to show his support, and teach the first class in her new dance studio!
TJE has recently been named a “Circle of Hope Studio” and they are home to the East Coast Ambassador for the Circle of Hope Foundation, Barbara Marx. The Circle of Hope and Dancers Against Cancer Foundation raise money and awareness for dancers, teachers, and studio owners whose lives have been ravaged by cancer. They are honored to be able to support such a wonderful mission and are excited to continue the journey!
If you would like more information about TJE Dance Force, visit their website at www.tjedance.com, call the Saint James studio at (631) 584 6888, the Holbrook studio at (631) 585 6900 or email them at info@tjedance.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Jessica Florian of TJE Dance Force.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
