NORWICH – Teaching the art of dance is still gratifying for studio owner and principal choreographer/teacher Donna Frech, even after 35 years.
“To think back to all of the kids that have walked through the doors is a gratifying feeling, but it’s amazing to me that I’ve done this this long and that I still love to do it,” Frech commented during an interview in conjunction with the Donna Frech School of Dance recitals that begin on Friday. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
It’s bound to be an anniversary to remember. Titled “Blast from the Past,” the Donna Frech School of Dance senior performances on Friday and Saturday nights feature a routine by 25 alumni who are returning for the celebration. Those who live too far away and can’t make it to rehearsals will be recognized on stage during the finale.
A grandmother herself, Frech said seeing former students grown up and showing off their own future dancers makes the years fly by even faster. “Seeing the second generation doesn’t seem possible,” she said.
Musical accompaniment for all of the routines was chosen to represent the past 35 years, but with a new twist or elevation from what’s been done before. “Blast from the Past” gets underway at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 18 and again on Saturday, June 19.
The junior recital matinees, appropriately named, “Launching Our Future,” are on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Frech said the title was chosen because the young dancers in her studios are “making their futures” now. A mix of both new and old songs symbolizes that some day they will, too, have a ‘blast from the past,’ she said.
Both recitals take place at the Norwich High School Auditorium on Midland Drive. Tickets may be purchased at the door or at the Donna Frech studios in Norwich and New Berlin. They are also on sale at First Edition Bookstore in Norwich, Service Pharmacy in New Berlin and Sherburne, Bartle’s Pharmacy in Oxford and at Video Entertainment in Sidney.
DFSD studios’ seven teachers have unique dance styles that promise to delight audiences with a diversified line up of talent, from ballet to hip hop and tap and every genre in between. The studio’s strong emphasis on ballet continues with second year teacher, Teri Velardi. Frech said the program Velardi has developed is exactly what she has wanted for her studio.
“She’s creating what I’m expecting, even though she’s the only teacher who isn’t ‘homegrown’, so to speak,” said Frech. “She fits right in like she’s been a part of us for a long time.”
DFSD’s more than 250 dancers also have the benefit of instruction from Frech, her two daughters, Kathleen Cragle and Kristen Miller, and Kayla Stage, Andrea Wilson and Sherry Funke. Daughter Kristen brings hip hop and musical theater technique into the line up; Kathleen, who also is a physical education teacher, is known for her strong acro and jazz programs. Sherry’s lyrical and modern and Andrea and Kayla’s work with the youngest of students combine to create a collage of exciting performances for audiences.
Audiences should come away knowing that every single child up there who is performing is giving form their heart, and in turn, be able to take a way a good feeling about themselves.
“When watching one of our recitals, you can tell that they really want to do this. When I see performers having such a good time, doing what they really want to do, it makes me feel good even after all of these years,” said Frech.
The studio owner said even her students who don’t incorporate dance in their adult lives come away better from the experience at DFSD - with the confidence that they can be whatever they want to become in the future.