Ave Maria Dance Recital Set for May 29

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Published on Wednesday, 14 April 2010 18:39

"A whirlwind," is how director Karen Ledesma describes the last several months since opening a full-time dance studio in the Ave Maria town center.

The Ave Maria Dance Academy now has 150 students from 75 families attending its classes in ballet, tap, modern, jazz and hip hop. The school now is preparing to mark the end of its second season with a recital May 29 at which 125 students will perform more than 30 routines. (Right, student Gigi Dix following instruction from Erica Ledesma)

Mrs. Ledesma started the academy almost two years ago, holding classes the first year at the Donahue Academy. The school opened its own studio in the town center last fall. "Things exploded when we got up and running in our own studio," she said. "By January, we doubled the number of dancers from 75 to 150 and we have a waiting list of 25 families."

Particularly notable, Mrs. Ledesma said, is that the school is drawing many families to Ave Maria on a daily basis. "Of our 75 families, 55 are from outside Ave Maria and 35 have no affiliation with the town other than the dance school."

The school's annual recital, called Anything Goes, will be at Palmetto Ridge High School on Oil Well Rd. at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 29. Seating is reserved and tickets, which have just gone on sale, can be purchased at the studio for $10 each. Below, left, instructor Elizabeth Suarez leading a class in modern dance)

The school is also running summer programs including a recreational camp, dance intensives and theater classes.

More information is on the academy's website here, or by calling Karen Ledesma at 239-261-2606.