Dance With Dena
Owner: Dena Thibodeau
Dena Thibodeau always knew she would open a dance studio. From the time she began dancing at the age of three, it was the only thing she ever wanted to do.
Thibodeau, owner of on Main Street, grew up in Peabody and attended , where she was also on the cheerleading squad all four years.
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Throughout her early years, she always studied dance.
It was during her time in college at Merrimac, where she was the choreographer for the school dance team, that Thibodeau’s father heard an announcement on the radio about a New England Patriots Cheerleading tryout. He mentioned it to Dena and they took the ride out to Foxboro to compete for a spot.
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“I had to learn a routine in a short amount of time, and go on stage in front of judges and perform it. After a week break, I went back for an interview process in Foxboro,” she recalled. “I passed that, then went to the final tryout in Boston where I had to perfect what I’d learned and perform again, and then they had us learn another routine and perform that, and had us a do some high kicks, and [we] were judged again.”
After the weeklong drawn-out, and no doubt exhausting, process, Thibodeau got the news that she made the cut.
“When I made the Patriots Cheerleading Squad I had to stop being a part of the Merrimac Dance Team, because the Patriots insist on you not having any conflicts, plus you didn’t have time. But, the Patriots Cheerleading is basically a dance squad; we danced throughout the entire game, and did a little cheering,” she said.
Now 16 years into owning her own dance studio, her days as a Patriots Cheerleader are a distant memory. “I was young and I was used to it, so at the time I didn’t even think twice about it, “ she said. “But to think back on it, it was a pretty big deal. Yeah, to be young again!”
The busy mom of two boys who play hockey, Thibodeau considers herself a member of a hockey family now.
“My husband went out shouting to the neighbors in the front yard when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup; my kids were ecstastic — it’s introduced me to a whole new world,” she said.
Peabody Patch caught up with Thibodeau recently to learn more about her dance studio and find out what’s new this upcoming season.
Q: Where are you from originally?
A: I grew up in Peabody my whole entire life; I went to , and Bishop Fenwick, class of ‘92, then onto college at Merrimac, graduating in ‘96.
Q: Where did you study dance?
A: I started when I was three and danced at a couple local dance studios. Then I went to one in Newton — that’s all I did all through school. I knew that I was going to open up a dance studio, but my parents wanted me to go college first and mature a little bit.
Q: What types of dance do you teach at Dance With Dena?
A: We have jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, modern. We also now have kick line, which we started a few years ago — it’s similar to when you see the Rockettes where they synchronized their kicks. It's very popular, the kids love it. That and hip hop — hip hop is huge.
Q: What is your favorite type of dance?
A: My favorite is jazz — I love jazz and I love teaching it to the kids.
Q: What’s happening right now at the studio?
A: The studio classes follow the school calendar, so I spent the summer with the kids, which was really nice. Dance classes begin the week of Sept. 12 and we’re still accepting registrations. We love being right on Main Street; we’ve been there for 16 years and I’ve never had to put out those big ads. People walk by and just tell their friends and neighbors, so we’ve done really well.
Q: Any big plans for your dancers in the near future?
A: This April Vacation, our Dream Team of 20 dancers ages 8-18, will perform a jazz dance and kick line dance on stage on a Royal Carribean Cruise Ship. During the trip, they will dance twice on the main stage as the RCC entertainment. This group of girls does well in school and can handle more of a commitment. Their parents travel with them, and it's a lot of fun. This group dances at the Boston Celtics every year, the Boston Blazers lacrosse at the Garden, and other local community events. They also performed at the . We reach out to the community as much as we can. It's good practice for the girls to get as much practice on stage, and it's fun for the community members as well. The best part of it all is we perform, we are not competing.
Q: What’s your approach to teaching?
A: For me, teaching in a stress-free environment is key.
Q: What’s the best reward as a dance instructor?
A: When the girls feel good about themselves and walk out after a great performance with their heads held high. That’s what it’s all about.
You can find Thibodeau's dance studio at 59 Main St. or call at 978-531-7618. There is also a Facebook page for Dance With Dena.
