Bayshore Academy Dance Teacher Believes 'Dance is for a Lifetime'

Lynn Scheps began teaching when she was 14-years-old, passing on her love of Broadway to her students for the past 50 years. By age 16, Scheps owned her own dance studio. 

Now, 50 years later, Scheps isn't ready to look back on her career as a thing of the past. At age 64 she's still an active owner, teacher and dancer at the Bayshore Academy of Dance, a place she and her family have called home for the last 35 years.

"I loved my dance teacher when I was growing up, and by age 16 I owned my own studio in Parsippany," Scheps said.

The Bayshore Academy of Dance's well-rounded class list offers everything from Irish Dancing to Musical Comedy, and of course classics such as ballet, tap and jazz. 

A full list of Bayshore Academy of Dance's available classes can be found on its website.

But Scheps said the school is all about real dance performance, and prides herself in the musical comedy class she has perfected for her students.

Rather than invest time and money in dance competitions, Scheps teaches her students the original choreography from Broadway shows, and keeps up to date with Broadway by frequenting musicals every show season.

"My students are able to perform, and people pay to see them," Scheps said. "That's real dancing...I don't think children should be judged by what other people like. People should just enjoy what they are doing."

Scheps has had students go on to perform Off-Broadway, own their own dance schools, or even bring their own children back to Scheps.

"We have a huge amount of second-generation students."

The school has also retained several teachers for the last 30 years, cementing the family atmosphere Scheps said she is proud of.

"Dance training gives [students] such a good sense of self-esteem," Scheps said. "It's a talent that will take them through their adult lives. Dance is for a lifetime."

The dance school offers classes from ages 1.5 to 60. At the end of each year, Scheps has her students put on a capsule Broadway show with true show numbers and a ballet ensemble. 

For contact information, class times, prices and more visit the Bayshore Academy of Dance website.

Join the Bayshore Academy of Dance this Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. for a free Zumba Dance trial class. Call (732) 739-2829 to register.