LYNN — With the end of half a century and the beginning of new endeavors, Donna’s Dance studio in Lynn is celebrating the big 5-0.
Donna Estes, a Lynn-born and raised native who established her dance studio in 1973 feels fortunate for a business whose advertisement is word of mouth. Donna’s Dance Studio has been the home of many students in Lynn and surrounding towns that view the studio as a joyful place where they get treated equally and are welcomed into a loving community.
Estes, who is a member of Dance Masters of America, is proud to own a dance studio that is diverse and shares an environment where students are treated with respect. For that matter, Estes acknowledge her dedication and commitment to her dance studio over the years that lead her to this milestone. She joyfully states, “it’s a big number to comprehend.”
When asked what is her secrete for success, Estes asserts how her studio is based on her standards. “We are not a competitive studio, we are recreational, but we have very structure classes, and I think a lot of it is because me and my staff love children because if you don’t like kids then it’s something you can’t do or if you do it, I don’t think you’ll last long,” she said.
More than dancing, Donna’s Dance Studio is a place where students have lifelong relationships. “Each of them goes to each other’s weddings and showers and I go out to dinners with the girls. They’ve been at the studio since the age of 3. They are all like my daughters. Staff teachers have been here forever as well, and they are friends!” said Estes.
Estes offers affordable studio instructions in ballet, tap, jazz, Lyrical, Gymnastics, Hip Hop, and Irish step dance to keep her classes limited in size to have more attention over students. She groups students by age and ability and at the end of each class rewards them with a sticker and lollipop if they are good listeners and follow instructions.
When asked what qualities a dance teacher must have, Estes affirms, “As a dance teacher, you need patience and the ability to break things down to get it across to different children.”
In these past 50 years, the Estes have learned to evolve with the change generations have implemented in the arts. “15 years ago, Irish step dancing didn’t come in, river dance and even tap. When something comes up in a movie like a breakdance, back in the 80s that was a big thing”, Said Estes’s husband Chick. For that matter, Estes had to find ways to teach and bring new ideas and techniques to children who were growing up in the era.
Estes has a few male dancers who also attend the dance studio. “We have boys too. It helps them with sports because of coordination. People always know when they danced. We teach them motor skills; they love to tap.” Said Estes.
“We have a 17-year-old that came back, he is doing his 10th year with me and now all the girls want a tap number with him.”
Nostalgically, Donna recalls an occasion when a teacher approached her to take photos of her studio. “I said sure, do you mind me asking why you are taking photos of the studio?” she responded, “because I’m doing a project for school and it’s in my happy place.” Estes continues emotionally, “I started to cry, she said you always had it that no matter what you are going through when you walk through that door you put a smile on your face.”
“I want people to know we give it our all, and I treat people the way I would like to be treated, if they are shy, we help students express themselves through dance.”
Donna, who is married to Chick Estes and together has two daughters, Gracelyn and Delaine, comes from a family who performed in the arts. From her mother, a professional performer to her uncle who played the autoharp. The Esteses look forward to a new year and many memorize to come with their dance studio family. Donna concludes, “it’s going to be a big year, making it something extra special. the studio always motivates me!”
