Studio Info From Director
The best way to break down my thoughts about the past 30 years is in phases of media.
Phase 1: Vinyl Records
Jo Ann Warren Studio opened for business in September of 1979 on Grafton Street. My children were very young. The studio was only one room. My mother, sister, friend and niece worked at the reception desk. I taught every dance class myself. The Jo Ann Warren Junior and Senior Dance Companies were formed. Break dance was hot. We entered our very first competition and brought home our very first trophies. The large trophy case in the waiting room was a Christmas gift from all the students. I passed all the tests and joined Dance Masters of America. Theater and voice lessons were added to the schedule. The first recital was at Holy Name High School. We were very involved with many community performances. Our colors were grey and burgundy. The walls of the studio were pink and we just loved disco.
Phase 2: Cassette Tapes
We expanded to 2 dance rooms. I had a faculty and 2 receptionists. Acrobatics was added to the schedule. Students who had trained at Jo Ann Warren Studio were landing professional jobs. We began taking the competition teams to nationals. I was teaching master classes and judging competitions around the country. " JAWS" was our new nickname and we were known nationally. Our colors were changed to black and gold. The many students and alumni who were working made sure to sign the door. I was called upon to direct many local high school musical productions. Summer with the Masters was organized. Hip Hop was the newest form of dance. The Show of Stars was born. We learned to use the computers and even double click.
Phase 3: CD's
My daughter was now my business partner. We opened our offices upstairs. Parents who had trained at Jo Ann Warren Studio were now signing up their own children for lessons. Alumni with amazing dance careers joined the faculty. I became a licensed theatrical agent. Jo Ann Warren Studio was expanded to Manchaug and then to Whitinsville. TEAM JAWS brings home the gold and the glory. I worked with and judged for the Miss America Scholarship Foundation. Alumni are not only dancing on TV and in popular music videos, but they are performing all over the world. Summer brings the addition of Ballet Intensive. JAWS celebrates 25 years in business. JoAnnWarrenStudio.com is up on the internet and we have a new logo.
Phase 4: iPods
Children of alumni are now valued members of our competition team. Alumni call from Broadway. We have expanded to two rooms in Whitinsville. Even the youngest of the competition teams are like little professionals. We all watch Glee and download music. A tot production has been added to the recital line up. Props are everything. It's hard to stop texting. Fans line up at 3am to purchase recital tickets. JAWS is on Facebook. Lady Gaga is the hottest. The receptionist must now answer email, texts, studio cell phone and 2 business lines simultaneously.
What will the next 30 years bring? I do what I love and I love what I do.
Thanks for the memories.
"I started dancing at JAWS when I was 7 years old. JAWS provided me with the skills and training I needed to become a successful professional dancer and choreographer."
