Student Testimony-By Macey Webber
“Someone in my network who is an example of curiosity and inspiration is my former dance teacher and studio owner at my studio back in Morrisville, PA. She is constantly pushing the boundaries of what a dance recital “should be” and “should look like” by incorporating special effects, live singers and musicians, vocal numbers, and more importantly, set transitions without closing the curtains. I have had countless people come up to me after coming to a Downstage Center recital for the first time and say “this is nothing like I’ve ever seen before”.
They continue, and say “most dance recitals just open and close the curtain after each number, and all you’re seeing is dance after dance”. This could not be less of the truth for Danielle Tucci-Juraga, my teacher. She finds a way to brilliantly bring in inspiration from Broadway musicals, creating seamless sets of two or three dances that all derive from the same musical artist, movie, musical, or book, to create some cohesion.
Additionally, she has single-handedly curated the most extravagant opening numbers to each of these recitals in which there still remains some tradition: the Tap IV class ending the opening number with a complex, rhythmically advanced, and flashy routine. Some note-worthy examples include: “My Shot” from Broadway’s Hamilton, “I’ll Be There for You” from the hit show, Friends, and most recently, “The Greatest Show” from, you guessed it, The Greatest Showman.
I’m not quite sure how Dani does this, and constantly succeeds year after year, but if I had to guess, I would say she remains inspired by having many “roles” in her life. Dani is a business owner, choreographer, teacher, mother, advocate for the arts, and much more, and I can assume that through both her producing of art, and her regular consumption of art, Dani fuels her creative side so that she always keeps the “play” in her work.”
Season 25 Here We Go!
Spotlight on Downstage Center Dance Studio: Celebrating 25 Years of Dance!
Downstage Center Dance Studio is celebrating 25 incredible years of dancing, creating, growing, and memories! The studio is excited to celebrate with new students, returning dancers, and alumni who have been part of the DSC family over the years.
A non-competitive dance studio, DSC provides an inclusive environment where every dancer is encouraged to grow at their own pace, express their individuality, build confidence, and love to dance!
Classes are offered for ages 3- adult: Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Musical Theater.
DSC is especially proud of Everybody Dance, a program designed specifically for students with differences, offered for ages 7–11 & 12–18. With a welcoming, sensory-friendly environment, patient instructors and smaller class sizes, Everybody Dance gives students the opportunity to experience the joy of movement while building confidence, coordination and friendships.
Another special class is Musical Theater (grades 1-3 & 4-6). Students have the unique opportunity to train weekly with a NYC professional entertainer & educators and perform at a professional theater for their final showcase.
Adult dance & fitness are offered weekly for those who want to stay active or try something Beginner Tap ages 15-Adult is Sept 17-Oct 2. Space is limited, sign up today!
Downstage Center’s staff includes professional educators, many of whom grew up at DSC and have returned to inspire the next generation. DSC dancers have gone on to perform on Broadway, national tours, cruise lines, television and in Hollywood—while countless others have taken the confidence, discipline and love of the arts they developed at DSC into every part of their lives.
This anniversary season is about celebrating 25 years of dancers, families, friendships, performances and memories—and creating the next 25 years together.
