TESTIMONIALS
   

Dear Joanne,

     It seems hard to believe but 17 years have flown by since Kate & I, with Robyn in tow, walked through the door of the studio for the first time.  I want to tell you that it's been the best!  My children have gotten to play Disney princesses & their favorite evil witches, not to mention, Timone, Dainty June, Pocahontas, Ariel, Sharpay, Lilac, Barbie, and Cats at Disney...Halloween took a second to dressing for your shows.
     They've danced in parades, boardwalk shows, tulip festivals, seafood festivals, pageants, sweated at summer shows in Cape May before A/C and at Disney (remember how hot "In the Mood" was), on stages, boardwalks, streets, parking lots, and even one year on the beach at Morey's, and one of my all time favorites when they crouched in the grass in the County Park waiting for the Cape May train to appear before they rose from the dead and danced to "Thriller."  It's been great!
     Along the way, they learned discipline, they know beyond a doubt to audition with nothing less than black leotard, pink tights and securely pulled back bun.  Discipline - to work at something till you get it right.  They know to always, always be prepared for anything and bring all your shoes.  Translate that for real life - dress the part, know your stuff, and bring everything you might need.  They learned consideration, and how to work with others.  They learned to work hard (a little sweat will never hurt), use your peripheral vision, and stop looking in the mirror (more good adages for life).  They learned we all have our good times and bad, and no one's perfect.  They learned that no matter now bad your day is, going to the barre will center you.
     And you ignited passion in them, passion for dance - to learn, to give it their best.  So many parties, activities, and even a prom missed because "they had dance."  Everyone should have such a passion!
     You encouraged Kate's choreography, answered questions (at great length), went the next step to find an answer if you didn't have it.  You've shown through example that learning is lifetime enjoyment!
     So after 17 years, I want to say thank you, for your exuberance, your sharing, for being a really good teacher.

     Love, Julie  --I will forever miss my years with "JP"

To All of my Teachers at JRD -

     Thank you for all of the things that you taught me.  I may be young but the lessons I learned will be with me forever.  You helped me grow into the girl that I am today as well as who I will be in the future.

     Brianna

To Miss Joanne,

     I don't think I can thank you enough for all that you've done for me.  You've taught me so much not only in dance but about life itself.  JRDS has always been a huge part of my life and always will be.  I will take everything that I've learned in the past 15 years here, and use it everyday, wherever I go.

     Love, Robyn

Hi Joanne,

Fall, and dance registration time.  I think of you often. Was visiting in Cape May last week and passed the studio, seeing preparations for a new season.  Got me looking and just wanted to compliment you on the website--very nice.

Karen will be in year 4 of college this year, not the last as she has expanded her field of study from Meteorology to include other Atmospheric topics and will probably be a 5-6 year student.  She is in NE Vermont and likes it a lot.  Logistics between there and Colorado will be tricky, but the Sagues are nothing, if not flexible! She is at a small state college there and has been able to be very active in the Community Orchestra as the principal violist and has also had many leads in student theater productions of the Twilight Players at Lyndon State College (Pseudolous in Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum - Wow, that was amazing; Claire in the drama  Proof, and  Mary in the very quirky On the Verge among others)

Kris is somewhat settled (as much as she ever settles ;-) in SanFrancisco. She loves it there and has really found her niche. After spending 6 months in India after graduating from UMich with the BFA in modern dance, she returned to USA by way of SanFrancisco and just stayed on there. I attach the link for groups she dances with and works with.  You would be so proud of her. She has settled into the Ethnic Dance community out there and continues to plan trips abroad to augment this study. Tajikistan is probably her next port of call. She is involved in the World Arts West annual Ethnic Dance Festival (31st this year) and we went out in June to see her perform. What a great month long event.

I thought you would enjoy hearing our news.  Feel free to write and let us know how things are with you and the family.  We think of you often and have fond memories of the studio and all your wonderful staff.

Gini Sague