Tiny dancers back on stage at Kaleidoscope

Jun 15, 2021

Lights, Camera, Action! Kaleidoscope’s dance students were finally able to perform on June 12 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

The pandemic was difficult for many small businesses and some dance studios had to permanently close their doors. But dance studio owner Michelle Femino was able to keep teaching throughout the pandemic.

In March 2020, the studio at 378 Marion Road closed its doors for two weeks. All students transitioned to taking classes over zoom, and competitions were put on hold. Those two weeks turned into a long six months.

“It was tough over the computer to try and keep the kids engaged and to keep things exciting,” said dance teacher Janine Hart.

But there was a light at the end of the tunnel for the competition dancers. With tight restrictions, Kaleidoscope’s dance team was able to perform in four competitions across Massachusetts. 

Although competitions typically last a weekend, during the pandemic, masked students performed for the judges during short blocks, while parents watched live streams of the performances in their cars. 

Most Kaleidoscope dancers had not performed on a stage since their last in-person recital in 2019. 

Determined to host a recital, Femino considered booking a venue or hosting the show under a tent before deciding to create a stage inside the studio.

The recital was also significant because this year is the studio’s 30th anniversary. The show’s theme was “Celebrating Dance.” 

Kaleidoscope was able to share the stage with Erica’s Dance Academy on June 13. On June 11, Kaleidoscope’s competition team performed the numbers they competed with for family and friends who were not able to be at the competitions due to covid protocols.

The studio implemented a number of safety protocols including mask-wearing for students and audience members. Instead of one big show, students performed five smaller recitals. 

Femino also hired a photographer and live streaming company for people who were not able to attend in person. 

“It’s perfect for family members who live out of state because they can watch the stream from the comfort of their own home,” Femino said.

For more information, go to www.kodg.com or Kaleidoscope’s Facebook page.