Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Vining.
Erica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Stoneham and I started dancing at the age of four. I began competitive dance when I was 8 and since then it was game over – dance was my life. I went to college at Roger Williams for dance and graduated with a Fine Arts Degree. After college I applied for dance teaching jobs and ended up as the competitive program director at a local dance school in Stoneham. From there I truly realized what my life’s path was – to educate dancers – to help them grow and to help them succeed.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I opened my studio in 2008 at the age of 23 – I thought I knew it all, boy was I wrong! Luckily I have had a tremendous amount of support from family and friends who guided me along the way. My business partner, Jacklyn Tabor, keeps me grounded and together, with the help of my incredible staff, have formed one of the most successful programs in the area.
Encore Dance Academy – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our studio provides dance training for student’s ages 18 months through adult. We offer recreational, competitive and pre-professional programs. Over the last ten years our little studio has almost tripled in size. We recently opened a new state of the art facility- it’s a gorgeous space with 4 studios and over 6000 square feet of space. We take pride in offering a “family” approach to dance. Our programs offer care, support and discipline to our students. We help create an encouraging environment that helps turn each dance lesson into a positive, constructive experience.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Last year our studio was featured on ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Recently we were awarded the Studio of Excellence Award from Starquest Performing Arts Competition, the Top Dance Studio in Reading from the ‘Readers’ Choice Awards’ and ‘The Readings’ magazines and we were voted one of the Top 50 Studios in the country! It’s been quite a year!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1349 Main Street Reading MA 01867
- Website: Www.encoredanceacademy.net
- Phone: 7819424500
- Email: erica@encoredanceacademy.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encore_dance_academy_/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/EncoreDanceAcademyReading
Image Credit:
Nick Cosky Photogrpahy
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