Celebrating 35 Years of Dance, Creativity, and the Memories That Made Us
There are some words that carry a certain kind of weight – the kind of word that instantly sparks a feeling, a memory, a moment in time.
The word ICONIC is one of those words.
Because when we look back at the past 35 years of Encore Studio – the performances, the music, the dancers, the costumes, the laughter backstage, the teary senior bows, the standing ovations – one thing becomes clear:
Encore’s journey has been ICONIC.
And with a commitment to creating an experience that families will remember for a lifetime.
This year, we are beyond proud to celebrate a milestone that still feels surreal to say out loud:
Encore Studio’s 35th Annual Recital
Encore Studio Presents: ICONIC
Iconic Then. Iconic Now. (1991-2026)
This theme is our tribute to everything that has shaped Encore – then and now. It’s a celebration of music, style, culture, and the moments that defined generations… and it’s also a reflection of what Encore has always done best:
Staying current while creating a show that is meaningful, professional, and unforgettable.
A Tradition We Are Proud Of: We’ve Never Repeated a Theme
Here is something I take immense pride in – and something that makes Encore truly unique:
In 35 years, Encore Studio has never repeated a theme. Not once.
Every year, we create something brand new. A fresh concept. A full production. A new creative experience.
That isn’t easy – especially over three and a half decades – but it has always been a priority of mine. Because I believe our dancers deserve a recital that feels like a true event, and our families deserve something that is entertaining and exciting every time they walk into the theater.
We take pride in staying current with trends while still honoring the art, discipline, and storytelling that makes dance so powerful.
And honestly… selecting recital themes gives me one of my greatest creative outlets.
It allows me to stay involved with the students in a way that is deeply meaningful – even when I’m not always in the classroom. I get to have a hand in:
- selecting songs
- envisioning the flow of the show
- ordering costumes
- shaping the audience experience
- and collaborating with our staff to bring a full production to life
Every year, we build something from the ground up – and then we watch our dancers become the magic.
1991: The First Recital… and the Fire Marshall
When I think back to our first recital in 1991, I can’t help but laugh – because it’s one of those stories that perfectly captures the “early days” of Encore and how quickly things grew beyond what I ever imagined.
Our first recital was called Wish Upon a Star, and we hosted it as a free event for families. I thought it would be a small, sweet performance – something intimate and simple.
Instead, the auditorium filled beyond capacity so quickly that the Fire Marshall came in and shut the performance down because we were over capacity!
At the time, I was stunned. I had no idea Encore recitals would bring in so many people.
But looking back, that moment was actually the first sign of something powerful:
Families didn’t just want to attend recital… they wanted to show up in full force to celebrate their dancers.
After that year, we started selling tickets – partly to manage the crowd and keep the Fire Marshall happy – and partly because we realized our recital wasn’t just a studio performance.
It was becoming a community event.
ICONIC Moments Through the Years
Over the past 35 years, we’ve created so many productions that are unforgettable for different reasons. Some were iconic because of staging. Some because of the music. Some because of the dancers. And some because the year itself became a historic moment in our world.
Here are a few of the themes that still stand out to me – and why they matter:
1991 – Wish Upon a Star
The one that started it all – and the one I’ll never forget for a very unexpected reason. We hosted this recital as a free event for families, and I truly had no idea how many people would come. The crowd grew so quickly that the Fire Marshall actually came in and shut the performance down because we were over capacity!
It’s funny now, but it was the first moment I realized that Encore recitals were going to become something bigger than I had ever imagined. After that year, we began selling tickets – partly to accommodate the crowd and partly to keep the Fire Marshall happy – but also because we realized recital wasn’t just a performance. It was becoming an event.
1998 – Twisting the Night Away
This one still stands out as one of our most creative staging moments. We used music from the 1950s and created a full drive-in movie theater backdrop on stage. It was fun, immersive, and one of those themes that instantly transported the audience into another world.
2005 – You Can’t Stop the Beat
This show was iconic for a reason that goes far beyond staging – it was about people. That senior class in 2005 wasn’t just a group of dancers finishing a season… they became lifelong friends. It was one of those rare years where the connection was so strong you could feel it in every rehearsal and every performance. When I think of what Encore can create beyond dance – friendship, belonging, community – I think of that class.
Totally Awesome
This theme will always be close to my heart because it was a nod to my own upbringing, taking me right back to my high school days in the 1980s. The music, the style, the energy – it wasn’t just fun, it was personal. It’s one of those themes that reminded me how powerful nostalgia can be and how a recital can be both entertaining and meaningful at the same time.
2011 – Simply the Best (20th Anniversary)
Our 20th anniversary was a milestone we’ll never forget, and the theme Simply the Best captured that moment perfectly. It felt like a true celebration of twenty years of dancers, memories, and growth – a chance to pause, look back, and feel grateful for the community that had formed around Encore. That year was also an important chapter in our staff story as our incredible team continued to grow and shape the studio into what it is today.
2012 – Play Something Country
What a blast. We built the entire show around country music, and it was full of energy, personality, and crowd-pleasing moments. It’s still one of those productions that makes people smile the moment they hear the theme name.
2016 – Too Legit To Quit (25th Anniversary)
Our 25th anniversary recital was one of the most emotional for me – because while it was a celebration, it was also a goodbye. With Too Legit To Quit, we honored Encore’s history while saying farewell to some of our favorite dancers. And once again, it was a senior class that became lifelong friends, making their final bow a moment none of us will ever forget.
2017 – Encore Rocks On
A true crowd-pleaser – high energy, bold music, and a full production vibe that reminded everyone what an Encore show feels like when it hits just right.
2018 – Encore Gets Animated
This show remains a staff favorite – especially for Miss Angel and Miss Cheryl. It was colorful, joyful, and imaginative, and it gave our dancers the chance to perform in a world that felt playful and larger than life.
2019 – A Whole New World
Another unforgettable theme – and especially close to Miss Dana, who loved it. This show brought a sense of wonder and storytelling that made it magical from beginning to end.
2020 – The Year the Theater Went Dark
A year none of us will ever forget – the year theaters went dark and performances were not allowed due to the COVID-19 epidemic. It was heartbreaking, and it challenged all of us in ways we never expected.
Our 30th Anniversary – A Stage on a Soccer Field
If there was ever a year that proved Encore’s creativity and resilience, it was our 30th anniversary recital, when theaters still wouldn’t allow public gatherings. We refused to let our dancers miss their chance to perform, so we did what Encore does best – we got creative. We built a stage in the middle of a soccer field so we could all socially distance and still celebrate our dancers. It remains one of the most impressive productions we’ve ever pulled off – not just because of the logistics, but because of the heart behind it.
The Creative Process: Collaboration, Trends, and Staff Vision
Since 2018, we’ve opened creative production to our staff and allowed them to help me select themes. This has been one of the best evolutions of our recital process.
As I’ve aged and lost touch of pop culture and current music (as we all do!), I’ve leaned on our younger staff members to help identify themes that will be:
- crowd pleasers
- entertaining for every age
- current and trend-aware
- and unforgettable
And that collaboration has made our recitals stronger than ever – because it blends experience with fresh perspective, tradition with today’s culture.
That’s why this year’s theme feels so right.
Because ICONIC is about then and now – and our staff team is the perfect representation of that.
The Seniors: The Final Bow That Makes It All Worth It
One of the greatest joys of my job is building bonds with our Senior dancers and following their journey through their final year.
Many of our Seniors have been with Encore for over a decade, and to witness their growth – from their first recital to their final one – is something I never take for granted.
Their senior year is a celebration:
- of years of dedication
- of resilience and discipline
- of friendships and studio family
- of their growth as performers and young adults
And recital becomes their moment for one last bow – a final spotlight that honors everything they’ve poured into this studio.
Watching our Seniors take that final stage moment will always be one of the most emotional and meaningful parts of the entire recital season.
Why ICONIC Is the Perfect 35th Anniversary Theme
ICONIC is not just a theme.
It’s a statement.
It represents what Encore has been since 1991 – and what we continue to be today:
- original
- evolving
- current
- meaningful
- entertaining
- and rooted in family and community
This show will celebrate what was iconic when Encore began… and what is iconic now.
It will honor decades of music, culture, and dance – while showcasing the talent, creativity, and heart of the dancers standing on our stage today.
A Message of Gratitude (and a Hope for 35 More)
When I look back at these 35 years, I don’t see just recitals.
I see memories.
I see dancers who became adults.
I see friendships that became lifelong.
I see families who grew up with us.
I see staff members who became part of my extended family.
I see themes that captured a moment in time.
I see a studio that never stopped creating.
Each and every year has been a memory I will forever carry with me – and it’s hard to put into words how grateful I am for every dancer and every family who has been part of this story.
I hope we have 35 more.
And for now… we can’t wait to share this year’s ICONIC celebration with you.
From the bottom of my heart,
Thank you for being part of Encore.
Thank you for believing in our dancers.
Thank you for celebrating this legacy with us.
Encore Studio Presents: ICONIC
Iconic Then. Iconic Now. (1991-2026)
Let’s make this recital one we never forget.
