The Joan Izzo Academy of Dance

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ms Joan's husband, Mr Lenny. Our prayers are with Ms Joan, Mary Kate and the Izzo family at this time.

Please join us to celebrate the life and passing of Leonard A Izzo. We will have a funeral Mass at 4pm on Tuesday, August 29 at St Timothy Catholic Church, 13807 Poplar Tree Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, as well as a burial on Wednesday, August 30 at 9am at Arlington National Cemetery.

It is with a heavy heart to inform our studio family that we recently lost one of our long time members. Robin Iida, mother of Darian, passed away. There will be a memorial service to remember her on Saturday, November 16th at Reston Presbyterian Church at 1pm.
We kindly ask for no visitors at the house at this time and for no flowers to be sent.

If any dancers are in town Dec 19 and are willing to spread some Christmas joy by performing for the STS preschool, let me know. If you have ever done it with me in the past, you know how much the kids love it!

To our dance family:

Thank you for your support this past weekend at the Recital!
The dancers had two wonderful performances - we couldn't be more proud of them in their final show. They are truly talented and gifted individuals and we hope they will all continue to dance.

After over 20 wonderful years of teaching many students, the Joan Izzo Academy of Dance has closed it's doors. We have been so blessed to teach each and every dancer.

Our competition team just finished a weekend at Platinum National Dance in Woodbridge. We received 3 special awards from judges for our modern duets and small group modern, and our small group hip-hop received the overall choreography award! Our two modern duets and our modern small group all placed in the Top 10, and we received 4 Platinum and 2 Gold ratings on our dances. Congrats on some great dancing ladies :)

Check out one of our Alums, Lizz Picini, and her thoughts on being a professional dancer in NYC!

"Last November, I was at an unofficial after-party for the US Marine Corp Annual Birthday Gala. It was a time when I was having a low in the industry. I was also feeling guilty because my low was me still pursuing my dreams in the city—living a dream that some people would kill just to try it. They would kill to get cut at auditions, as silly as that sounds.

At the gala, I had the privilege of shaking the hands of so many servicemen and women and thanking them for serving our country. I also had the pleasure of speaking to a serviceman about what I do for a living. During the course of our conversation, I sheepishly laughed about what I do for a living and the silly problems I face—involving rhinestones and pirouettes—compared to what they do—risking their lives for the greater good.

In his response, he gently reminded me of the necessity for what we do as performers. He said that people in his position would not have any healthy escape from reality or glimpses of joy and hope without people like us doing what we do. He thanked me, told me that what we do matters, and asked me to never discount what we do. It was incredible to hear that from someone whom I hold with utmost respect. It was just one of those “Thank God, I’m a Dancer” moments. That’s a big thing I want to remind everyone in this industry. We often question the ups and downs we go through and ask ourselves if it’s all worth anything. We have to remember that what we do impacts other people in an incredibly positive way."

Lizz Picini, 28 Street Station, N-R.

Read more about Lizz: http://bit.ly/1YOM4pa

Prints are available at www.dancersofny.com/shop for a limited time only. Proceeds will be shared with the featured dancer.

Since Fairfax County doesn't have school tomorrow, why not come to the studio tomorrow and take the 1030am class with Ms Nina? The class is open to Advanced and Pre-professional dancers. Use the class as a great way to wind down from a long week or use it as a make up. Ms Nina's classes never disappoint!

Announcing the Student of the Month for February & March 2016: Elizabeth Shepherd and Rebecca Rice

Elizabeth has been with the studio for many years, and now as a senior in high school she has demonstrated what a fine example of a leader she can be in the classroom. Elizabeth has shown nothing but dedication to her art and has developed into a strong, yet fluid dancer. Over the years, she has performed many roles in our Holiday Shows, as well as been a part of our Competition Team. She is always the first one in her classes to remember choreography and is a great role model for everyone around her - always focused, respectful, and ready to learn from and contribute to her classes. Her teachers are so proud of how much she has grown as a dancer and have enjoyed watching her creativity come out this year. Elizabeth has been an inspirational student and we have been fortunate to have her at the studio!

Rebecca recently joined our studio this year and is in our intermediate level classes. Both of her teachers have shared that Rebecca is always diligently practicing, prepared and focused in class. Sometimes Rebecca even brings her dance notebook to review some steps in class she had previously written down. Even at a young age, it is evident that she is committed to excelling in her classes and working hard. Her teachers have thoroughly enjoyed teaching her this year and we have loved having her as part of the studio!

Congrats on a great weekend of classes and competition to our team at DanceMakers!!
Our senior group hip-hop piece received a 1st place rating and the Judge's Choice Award! Our senior modern duet also received a 1st place rating and the Judge's Choice Award! We are so honored. Also, congrats to our senior soloists and duets that received a 1st place and two 2nd place ratings, we are so proud of everyone!

Beautiful dancing by our senior soloists and duets last night! Good luck to our whole team as they compete as a group tonight!

Good luck to our Competition team today as they head to DanceMakers in Bethesda, MD this weekend! They are taking a weekend full of professional dance classes, as well as competing.
Looking forward to another great convention and competition!
Picture from DanceMakers 2015