East Hampton Dance Studio Marks 15 Years: 'The Time Of Our Lives'

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A beloved East Hampton dance studio is celebrating 15 years of shaping lives and inspiring dreams.

According to co-owner, director, and teacher Kelly Hren, dancehampton was established in 2007. In December, 2006, Hren was contacted by Mary Ponsin, the owner of the Lighthouse Dance Project; she had taught dance for her in the past.

Ponsin told Hren that she was moving and needed someone to take over the business.

"At the time I was teaching at Springs School," Hren said. "Along with my coworker and friend Melissa Knight, who was a competitive Irish step dancer, we were directing the Springs School opera and junior high musicals. We had always discussed opening our own studio and when I told her about Mary's call — together, we knew it was time."

The owners held their first dancehampton season in the fall of 2007 in their own space in Springs; their first recital in 2008 was held at Pierson Middle/High School.

"We have been in our current space on Lumber Lane in East Hampton since 2011," Hren said. "We have used East hampton High School for our recitals since 2012 or 2013."

Due to the pandemic in 2020, the dancers were not able to have a recital performance. In 2021, they held performances outdoors at the Children's Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton.

Hren has always felt the drumbeat of dance in her soul. She began teaching dance at 16, at the studio where she'd trained since she was 2, LJ Dance in Cedarhurst. When she moved to East Hampton in 1999, she began teaching at the Lighthouse Dance Project.

"Owning my own studio had always been a dream of mine and thinking back on the last 15 years and the hundreds of dancers who have been a part of dancehampton definitely gets me teary-eyed. 15 years! A huge milestone, especially considering the pandemic."

During the dark days of the pandemic, she said: "I was not even sure dancehampton would survive." However, she said, "Not only did we survive, but we have had one of the best seasons to date."

Hren said she has always appreciated the studio's staff, dancers, parents, and "extended dancehampton family who have supported us and trusted us with their dancers. But it all just means so much more now. I’m endlessly proud of the family we have created in and out of the studio, on and off of the stage."

To mark 15 years, dancehampton will present "The Time of our Lives," a recital celebrating the milestone, which will be held at East Hampton High School on Friday, June 10 at 6 pm. and Saturday, June 11 at 1 p.m. A competition showcase will be held on Saturday, June 11 at 7 p.m.

In addition to 15 seasons of recreational classes, the studio has also been competing at regional competitions for 10 years, she said.

"None of this would be possible without our talented and dedicated staff, including Krystal Lamiroult, a co-owner, lead choreographer and artistic director who has been with us since the beginning; Blaire Needham; and Heather Wittmer, a former dancehampton student," Hren said.

And as a mother, reaching the 15-year old milestone with her daughter Emma, a high school senior — and the only senior at the studio — is emotional, she said.

"It is almost impossible to imagine not having her at the studio and on competition team. She has been a role model and positive force for her teammates and younger dancers. At our last competition, her teammates and choreographers presented her with sweetest letters of love, thanks, and well wishes as she moves onto the next stage of her life," Hren said.

But her daughter has dance dreams yet to be realized: Emma will be attending the honors college at James Madison University and plans to major in secondary education — and minor in dance.

"As with our other graduates over the years, she will always be a part of our dancehampton family," Hren said.

And for the other dancers, exciting plans are also ahead: After the final weekend of performances, the competition team will be heading to perform in Disney at the end of June.