Broadway dancer visits Miss Jennifer’s Dance Studio
Sara Edwards, who has performed on Broadway, was a special guest teacher during a two day workshop at Miss Jennifer’s Dance Studio. Contributed | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Jennifer Nelson was excited to offer her students the opportunity to learn from a dancer with experience performing on Broadway.
“I wanted to give them a little taste of the professional dance world,” she said.
Miss Jennifer’s Dance Studio’s summer workshop was held Aug. 14-15 and one of the special guest teachers was Sara Edwards. Nelson said she’s a small town girl from Pennsylvania who has spent at least the last 17 years in New York City. Her resume includes time as a Rockette, several Broadway shows and she is currently working with Bette Midler in the Broadway show “Hello, Dolly!” as the associate choreographer.
“She really has a passion for performing and dance,” Nelson said.
Edwards also enjoys teaching.
“I think the part I like most is the nostalgia and remembering what it was like to be a kid in a small town and professionals traveling in for me to learn from and be inspired by,” she said.
The two-day workshop was open to all dancers in kindergarten through 12th grade and included 12 different classes. During the sessions students learned a variety of different styles including jazz, tap, musical theater, and lyrical.
“I hope they learn a lot about being versatile from this,” Edwards said. “Sometimes when you are with the same group all of the time you get used to one style. It’s good to shake things up a little bit and test different styles that you might not have known you were good at.”
Nelson contracted with Stage Door Workshops to bring Edwards in for her workshop.
“You can travel to all kinds of conventions and workshops, but it’s nice to be able to have someone come to us in our own environment where we are comfortable,” Nelson said.
Anyone interested in learning more about Miss Jennifer’s Dance Studio is encouraged to attend the annual open house from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30. They can register for classes then, which start Monday, Sept. 11, or e-mail Nelson at missjennifer@roadrunner.com. The dance studio is located on Second Street between Rural King and Woodbury Outfitters.
Edwards and Nelson both encourage dancers to follow their dreams.
“Keep your eye on the prize,” Edwards said. “I grew up in a small town and caught the (performing) bug early. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
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