01/18/2023
January 18, 2023
Dear LeAnn’s Dance Connection Families,
It has been an amazing journey and after 21 years, it is time for my Finale.
I will never forget the phone call I received from the studio’s previous owner. I was doing laundry. I was 21 years old and newly married to my high school sweetheart. The voice on the other end of the phone asked if I had any interest in purchasing the dance studio that I grew up in. My stomach dropped. I had not danced since I graduated high school, but I knew in my heart this is something I wanted to do. Ever since I was a little girl, in my baby book when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up…it says, “dance teacher”, and it’s easy to see why. I had amazing teachers growing up. Mrs. Peterson was such a great role model that shared with us her love of dance. And who could forget Lee Adami? Both of these women made such a positive impact on so many young people in our community.
I jumped in head first on this new journey as a small business owner at the age of 21. It was not easy. I remember calling my mom every single day, not sure if I was up to the task. But I kept going.
All three of my babies grew up at the studio. When we were located on Main Street, I remember lugging the walker, car seat, and diaper bag up all 3 flights of stairs for class, and then lugging it all back down at the end of the night. The stairs, the smell, the doors. Anyone who has danced in the “old” studio will know exactly what I am talking about and get a smile on their face when they think about it.
The studio continued to grow and so did my confidence. After several years in the original location, my husband and I decided that it was time to build our own facility. Enter LDC on Sawyer Rd. This is something we were truly proud of. With the support of so many of our friends and family, we were able to make the dream a reality. My dad was such a huge part of the process and helped us more than he will ever know. My husband would work all day and then head to the studio at night and work until midnight to complete the project. When it was finally ready for opening day, I placed a photo of my two teachers in the waiting room. My students asked, “Who are these ladies?” I replied, “These were my teachers when I was little. Lee & Ann” WHAT? How had I never put that together before Lee & Ann…...LeAnn! Almost like it was meant to be.
Year after year, I watched my students graduate and move on to do amazing things. Time passes so quickly, and just like that, one of my own has graduated too. Nathan graduated in the class of 2022 and joined Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25. We are so incredibly proud of him. Patrick is now 13 and has such a passion for wrestling. As well as wrestling for MJHS, he has joined a club in Bettendorf, IA, which takes him there for practice 2 nights a week. Miss Halle Kay just turned 12 and has found her love in volleyball. She can’t get enough and plays for Platform Elite Volleyball Club in Bettendorf, in addition to playing beach volleyball and playing for MJHS. Needless to say we are BUSY, and truly LOVE every minute of it. I love watching my kids do something they love and that they are good at.
Owning the dance studio as my kids were growing up was such a blessing. I was able to stay home with my kids every day and we never needed day care. As they got a little older, I was able to take them to school, pick them up, and bring them all of the things they forgot 😉.
After a few years, I found myself home alone all day and decided I could get a part time job with the Morrison Chamber of Commerce. I LOVED it, and wanted more. After two years at the Morrison Chamber, a position became available with DeWitt Chamber & Development Company as their Event, Program & Marketing Coordinator. I submitted my application, interviewed and accepted the position in the fall of 2021.
After my first year with the DeWitt Chamber & Development Company, I know where I am supposed to be. The dance studio has been an amazing season of life that is coming to a close. After 21 years, it is time for my Finale. I am ready for the next season of our life. I am ready to take my kids to practice, be there for them, eat dinner with them, and watch them do what they love.
As a family, we have decided the studio will close in the spring of 2023, after the recital.
The studio has given me SO MANY amazing opportunities and brought so many amazing people into my life. The countless Bowl Game trips with my girls, that took us to perform all over the county. Miami, San Diego, New Orleans, Memphis, Indianapolis…..I know these trips were about the opportunity to dance, perform in the half time shows, and learn from some of the best choreographers in the business.
However, to me they were much more than that. Traveling with my girls and their families are some of my favorite memories. Playing games in the hotel rooms, putting our feet in the ocean, airplane rides, rehearsals, hair & make up, more rehearsals, early wake up calls, hanging out in hotel hallways, boat rides, rodeos, theme parks, museums, parades…I could go on forever with all of the great memories we made.
But nothing compares to the feeling of pride I had and the tears in my eyes when my girls would step onto that field and perform with hundreds of girls from across the county. Some of my girls had never stepped foot outside of our small community, and there they were, flying across the country and performing in front of thousands of people. My heart was so full and I was so proud to be their teacher. I am humbled by the wonderful dancers and dance families that have allowed me to be a part of their lives.
I know that my amazing students will find new dance homes and I will be their biggest fan. My Finale would not be complete without saying “Thank You” to a few of the best people in the world. Adam, Nathan, Patrick, Halle, Lisa, Laurel, and my Mom & Dad. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping my dream become a reality for 21 years. There are many, many others that I would like to thank, but if there was a music que, I am sure it would start playing to cut me off. I have so much love for you all and am very grateful for you.
I have put so much into this studio and into the art form of dance since I was 3 years old. Please know that it has been an honor and a blessing to be a part of your child’s dance education and life. I am forever grateful for this art form that has shaped me into the person I am today.
With Love – LeAnn
