PEABODY — Dance With Dena, a vibrant dance studio in downtown Peabody at 59 Main St. that is owned and operated by former Patriots cheerleader Dena Thibodeau, is celebrating its 30th anniversary of teaching dance to Peabody’s youth.
Although the 30th anniversary is this month, Dance With Dena will be celebrating its anniversary up until its dance recital in mid-May 2026 at Bishop Fenwick High School, Thibodeau’s alma mater. Thibodeau said Patriots cheerleaders will be in attendance to open up the show and sign autographs. The recital is a way for those who dance at Dance With Dena to showcase what they’ve learned during this winter’s upcoming dance season.
“My mission as a human being is to be the person behind you doing well,” Thibodeau said. “And if you can hear a couple words of encouragement that I gave you in this dance atmosphere outside when it matters, then my job is complete.”
Thibodeau said her coaching style revolves around confidence building and positive motivation.
“My dance studio is recreational. Anyone can come, so you can walk in, take just one class, and walk out feeling great,” Thibodeau said. “It’s not like I’m here to discipline. I mean, I have control of the room, and I have a tone (in my voice I use so) that they don’t talk or fool around, but they walk out with their head held high. That’s really what it’s all about.
“I don’t believe in yelling at the kids to point their toes. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I do encourage what I need to encourage, but I don’t make them go home crying. The world’s hard enough.”
She added, “What I teach the older kids is: I want you to be able to walk into the school dance and not go in like this and hunch over and walk in. I want you to be able to kind of own it, walk in, have some confidence.”
Dance With Dena even has daughters of former students in attendance, which is a testament to Thibodeau’s teaching style and ability to gain new students through word of mouth. Thibodeau said it’s an “honor” that some parents are now sending their children to get a dance education where they did at Dance With Dena.
For more information about Dance With Dena, visit dancewithdena.net.
