After 25 years running a successful dance studio in Simcoe, Lisa Naves-Abonyi is teaming up with Brantford dance instructor Vicki Fletcher to open a second location in Cainsville.
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Lisa Naves Dance Company Brantford is a new studio at 18 Papple Road that is under construction with an anticipated opening on October 1.
“Vicki approached me about starting a second location here,” Naves-Abonyi shared. “We’ve been long-time colleagues with mutual respect, that have often competed against each other at competitions. We admire each other’s work, and I was flattered when she asked me.”
Fletcher will run the second location and will benefit from Naves-Abonyi’s reputation and experience starting and growing a new dance studio.
“I’ve been teaching for 36 years,” Fletcher shared. “I needed something different for myself. I tend to always put other people first – especially my dancers, which I will continue to do – but I needed a big change in my life, and this is it.”
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Naves-Abonyi said with Brantford’s growing population it’s not unfeasible a location in Cainsville may also draw dance students from Ancaster, Hamilton, Caledonia and Paris.
The studio owner observed many dance studios putting most of their focus on competitive dancers, sometimes leaving behind those who have more recreational dance goals.
“I have very high expectations of all my dancers, especially the recreational dancers. They deserve to be trained to their best capability, regardless of how many hours they take,” she explained. “I find that’s been really important for me in Simcoe and what has built my success as a studio owner there. I have a small competitive team and close to 400 recreational dancers.”
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Naves-Abonyi said many children want to enjoy dance instruction, the physical activity, and to build strength and confidence.
“It’s not just the most talented and dedicated children who should be offered the joy of dance.”
The 5,300-square-foot studio – located in a newly built strip mall – will feature office space, girls and boys change rooms and washrooms, and three studios with viewing windows so parents can stay and watch the instruction.
Naves-Abonyi recalls having just 80 students when she opened her studio at 68 Pond Street in Simcoe 25 years ago and thanked those initial families who took a leap of faith with her.
“At my age I didn’t think I’d be starting another studio,” said Naves-Abonyi. “But I remember the feeling my husband and I had when we started. We’re definitely just as excited.”
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