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June 2001
Information Update for Lansdowne Business and Professional Association Members VOLUME 5 NUMBER 6 |
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Summer's Here! Are You Planning a Vacation?
Lansdowne Business Association Member Spotlight: Don's Dance World Don Nee loves dance. Whether dancing or teaching dance to students of all ages, Don immerses himself in all things dance-related. The passion for dance first bit Don at age 12, when he began attending school dances learning steps along to the hits of the day. "I didn't just go to the school dances, I went there to dance," he says. Don perfected his moves through many years of lessons, sometimes taking up to 13 classes a week. After years of dance study, he became quite talented in many forms of dance, along the way picking up the skills necessary to teach dance himself. He eventually began working as an instructor at a number of area dance schools. Finally, Don decided he wanted to teach dance on his own, and in October 1995 opened his first studio, a modern and spacious facility at 268 Drexel Avenue in Lansdowne. Don's Dance World quickly became popular with dancers of all ages, and in 2000 Don eventually added a second studio at 205 Shadeland Avenue, adjacent to the original one. Over the past 25 years, Don's credits include many performances at area schools, malls, universities and festivals throughout the Delaware Valley. Other highlights of his career include performances at the Bicentennial Celebration at Elfreths Alley, The Philadelphia Auto Show, The Opera Company of Philadelphia, Taylor Hospital's Annual Gala Fundraiser, The Mummers Show of Shows, The Phantom Fountain, The William Penn Award Celebration for the Mayor of Philadelphia in the ballroom Atop the Bellevue, excerpts from The Nutcracker on AM Philadelphia and Captain Noah. Don has also performed professionally for a number of corporate functions for companies such as CIGNA and Bell Atlantic. One of Don's most notable achievements was dancing the lead male role in the Valley Forge and Westbury Music Fair's annual production of The Nutcracker — something he has participated in for the last 20 years. Although the Valley Forge Music Fair is no longer in operation, Don still performs The Nutcracker with the Westbury Music Fair each year. At Don's Dance World, students can choose from a wide range of dance styles. Students range in age greatly, from three and four years old to 80 and up. Among the dance forms taught are ballet, tap, jazz, jitterbug, swing, disco, rock n' roll line dancing, country line dancing, hip-hop and various forms of ballroom dancing. Don's Dance World also offers a unique option for those looking to mark a special occasion — on-site dance parties. At the Shadeland Avenue location, partiers can enjoy private dance parties with whatever theme they choose. This year, some of Don's Dance World students will perform The Nutcracker at Penn Wood High School. According to Don, practice is already underway. "It's a huge project," he says. "A great deal of preparation goes into it." Additionally, the students will also perform during the annual Christmas tree lighting for the Borough of Lansdowne, marking another busy year for the students of Don's Dance World. "Our goal is to offer the finest dance training in a fun and relaxed atmosphere while instilling students with a strong desire to challenge themselves to be the best they can be," explains Don. "The discipline gained through studying dance enables our students to attain their full potential in dance — as well as all other endeavors." For more information about Don's Dance World, call 610-622-6029 or visit www.donsdanceworld.com.
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