Meet Lauren Mangano Callahan of Elite Academy of Dance in Shrewsbury

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Mangano Callahan.

Lauren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In 2006 a year out of college, my mother was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (a cancer of the blood and bone). I planned on pursuing a professional dance career that would require I move out of state but due to her illness I knew my place was home with family and with my mother. After 6 short months of her battling this disease she passed away. My mother was a fierce supporter of my love and passion for dance and I opened Elite Academy of Dance in 2008 in her honor and memory.

Leading up to this time I was teaching throughout Massachusetts at 3 local dance studios, traveling the country as a master teacher and judge for several national and international dance competitions. It was great experience doing what I love but creatively I did not feel fulfilled as an artist, teacher and leader. I knew that I always wanted to open a studio on my own and the timing was finally right. When I first opened the doors to Elite, it was a very small 1,400sf space with 35 dancers in total. Our staff was comprised of myself and one other part time instructor. Today, 10 seasons later, we now call a beautiful 8,000sf facility home with 12 faculty members and some of the most amazing and passionate students and families in New England. Our humble beginnings grew into an amazing reality.

What makes Elite special – every studio is unique and provides different things for different students. We are a well-rounded dance studio that puts equal love and emphasis on our recreational and competitive company programs. My staff is unique, caring and truly functions as a team. It has been an incredible journey of ups and downs, lessons learned and pushing limits. Passion, love and professionalism is what fuels the studio. We have been voted top 20 dance studio in the nation, #1 Dance and Gymnastics studio, most loved dance studio and I know that myself and our entire team and student base is excited to see what the future holds for all of us.

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?
The journey for anyone in life has hurdles so I can’t say my story of opening and running a business has been free from any challenge! What I can say is with each challenge, each hurdle, each up and down I’ve really been able to learn about myself as a person, a teacher, a leader, and a human. In a business working with young and growing dancers there are typical challenges including the responsibility of their dance education, helping foster a love of the art form in each of them, and providing a creative space for them to grow as young people. I’ve learned so much through owning a business like loyalty, balance, and finding time for myself. Every business owner faces these challenges and even when working on something I love; growth challenges will still exist.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Elite Academy of Dance – what should we know?
We are most known for a well-balanced education for all dancers, not just focusing on those in the recreational program or those in the company pre-professional program, but providing a nurturing environment for growth and dance education for all. We have a proven track record of dancers who graduate from our studio going on to work as professional artists in L.A. and NYC. But we also have had many dancers who learn valuable life skills that they use after graduation from our recreational program like self-esteem, confidence, awareness, and acceptance. We encourage versatility in dancers and finding passion in your talent, whatever that may be.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My success isn’t mine alone. There isn’t one single quality or characteristic that I embody that the people who have loved and supported me throughout this journey haven’t displayed as well. I have always been lucky to have great supporters and I’ve surrounded myself with people who believe in the same things as I do; love others, support students and accept them in all their forms, be present, always give the best that I can offer in that moment, and never give up.

Contact Info:

• Address: 697 Hartford Turnpike Shrewsbury MA 01545
• Website: elitedance-ma.com
• Phone: 508-842-5500
• Email: info@elitedance-ma.com
• Instagram: @eliteacademyofdance
• Facebook: @elitedance
• Twitter: @elitedance_ma

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