For many, Dance Extreme is a home away from home. Most children are enrolled into dance classes at the request of their parents who are looking to try something active and creative. Others, like our studio babies, are enrolled because their parents love to dance and they want to share their passion with their children.
Five of Dance Extreme’s Director’s and Faculty have children who have embraced Dance Extreme as their own, just like their moms. This isn’t always the case when you enroll your child into something that you loved as a child. But these five moms have been blessed to share the love of dance with their children.
Owner and Artistic Director of Dance Extreme, Rebecca Brettingham-Filice, and her daughter, Isabela, have had Dance Extreme in their family since 1998, well before Isabela was born. When asked about her involvements at the studio that her mom owns, Bella says honestly, “It can be hard. When my mom goes somewhere special with the studio, I get to go with her. I spend a lot of time with her so we get a lot of mommy/Bella bonding time. But when she goes somewhere boring, I have to go to those places too. I get to meet a lot of cool people/teachers.”
Mom Rebecca loves having dance to share with her daughter.
“We get to spend a lot of time together. Sometimes I feel bad, as my expectations for her in and outside the classroom are higher. We talk about it and she understands, but it can be tough at times. We have amazing memories of trip and experiences that we’ve had together through the studio, and for me that’s priceless.”
As with any activity that you or your child are deeply devoted to, there will be ups and downs, especially when both are involved. But they can also be deeply rewarding.
Assistant Director, Richelle Hirlehey, shares her love of the art of dance with her 6-year-old daughter Ella. When asked what she loves best about being with her mom at Dance Extreme, Ella says she “loves to see her friends in class, and loves to dance,” because she “has such great teachers including my mom and it is fun!”
Hirlehey feels the same way about having her daughter Ella involved.
“I always said I would let her try a variety of activities, and we have, but she loves to dance and that makes my heart happy.”
Zoë Brown, 7 years old and daughter of Megan Alfano, faculty member for the past four years, says she “loves dancing at Dance Extreme! All the teachers are fun, but dancing with my mom is the best, because I love her and I love dancing and I love doing it together.”
Miss Megan feels the same way. She too loves sharing the gift of dance with her daughter.
“It’s wonderful to see something that gives me so much happiness affect her in the same way. I’m grateful we are able to share something we love together!”
Ten-year-old Zoe Lacey, daughter of Faculty member Miss Andrea Gittens, also shares this same love of dance as the others. She says that if she has had a bad day, when she comes to Dance Extreme she feels free to be who she really is.
“My mom gets it. It’s why I want to stay committed to dance and why I love it so much. So, it’s so awesome to share this with her.”
Ty Novak, age 11, also grew up at his mom Miss Jeanette Novak’s place of work, and he likes dance because it is a good way to get his mind off of bad stuff that happened and to let out his emotions.
“I like that my mom can help with my dance stuff, which makes it a lot easier since she is a teacher at Dance Extreme. I even was lucky enough to have her as my teacher for one year and she was able to give me pointers.”
It is a gift to have your children share in something that you love, and we hope that as you choose activities for your children that you and your child find the same joy that our Dance Extreme Faculty and their children have found in dance.
Story submitted by Richelle Hirlehey for Dance Extreme
