Lifelong Mentorship & Inspiration Are Keys to Success at the Carol Colbert School of Dance
In 1986, Carol Colbert opened the doors to her now renowned school of dance in Boca Raton, an 800 sq. foot facility with 65 students. Today, although still occupying the same address, the school has expanded in size to 3000 sq. feet and enrolls over 200 students annually. Amazingly, Carol knows all of her students and their mothers on a first name basis.
"Dance," Carol says, "inspires a lifestyle. You must have focus, patience, guidance, and the ability to work with 100% love. I try to follow up on everything that has been given to me and then I add my own personal touch. When someone has goodness in concert with the spirit of giving and professionalism, it is amazing what you can accomplish as you learn with wisdom and experience."
Dance training is life training, a philosophy Carol learned under the guided mentorship of her first dance teacher, Beth Hartigan Levack in her hometown of Middletown, CT. At the tender age of 16, while still a high school student, Beth opened her first dance studio. Carol became Miss Beth's devoted student from age 7 until 22. Of Miss Beth, Carol says, "She has an incredible spirit together with strong beliefs in family and faith, all of which she instilled in me. As a child you look up to somebody like that." After all these years, Carol traditionally calls Miss Beth on Thanksgiving to offer her profound thanks for impacting her life so positively.
Following a summer vacation in Florida, Carol and her sister Deborah chose to reside here permanently. By 1981, Carol taught professionally at the Allen Dance Studio in Hollywood under the watchful eye of owner and artistic director Marie Allen. Although quite young, Carol impressed Marie with her gift for teaching and choreography. Eventually, Marie offered to sell Carol her studio, but Carol was not prepared to take on such a big commitment. Still, Marie encouraged Carol, educated her, and gave her the education necessary to prepare her for her life's work.
After establishing her own school of dance, Carol advertised in traditional mediums. When 6 years had passed, she then began to honor her students' requests by advertising in their yearbooks. Today Carol admits the best form of advertising is word of mouth. She says, "There is nothing more powerful than four or five mothers sitting around in a car pool, or at a church meeting baking brownies and discussing where their children should study dance."
Carol also has the additional benefit of teaching in the Broward County and the Palm Beach County School Systems in various after school programs and community centers. After 20 years of teaching and passing down what was passed to her, Carol says she is now truly reaping her rewards. "For the last few years I have received such wonderful cards and stunning compliments about how influential I have been in the decisions my students make for their futures. I practice daily being stern and strict but with a loving and generous heart and I see it all coming back 100% with more love and gratitude from the students, parents, family and friends than I could have ever dreamed possible."
The members of Carol's faculty are women who believe in themselves and are not easily intimidated, such as renowned master teacher, Debbie Dee, who teaches tap and jazz and has been with Carol for 16 years. Rebecca Cannan, who teaches modern, ballet and point. Linda Gove, who has been with Carol for 16 years teaching children's tap and jazz. Rebecca Lesley, who left a few years ago to study at Okalahoma City University and has now returned to teach. Brittany Lents, who recently returned after a four-year hiatus during which she danced at Disney and then moved to NY to be a member of the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. Michelle Livigne, who taught jazz and hip-hop. Michelle left to pursue her education at Fordham University in NY. Regarding passing down the generation of teaching gifts, Carol says of Michele, "I felt amazed watching Michelle at the tender age of 18 as she shared with her students many things I have taught her through the years. She was so professional; it gave incredible enjoyment to my heart. Michelle taught the importance of focus, what it did for her and how her students can apply it to achieve what they want for themselves." Carole notes that all of her faculty is, "Willing to share their knowledge." She sees them all become, "Molded through the process of teaching, but they maintain their own identities as individuals." Carole always hires teachers, she says, "With, strong, individual spirits." The fact that Carole's key manger Mary Nicotra, has been with her for 20 years speaks volumes of the importance of Mary's position to the school of dance and to everyone who comes through the door.
Speaking of her own career, "Dance Masters has been around for over one hundred years with guidelines that are incredible. Twenty-five years ago I earned my certification with them. At that time, I took an oath to adopt 'A Code of Ethics that I would live by.' I often look at today's society and think - if we can only go back to some of those ethics again..."
Her inspirations, hopes and dreams for the school and the future come from all her students and teachers. After building such a sterling reputation, when students walk through the door they know they will get a great class from people with consistency and a true love of the art of teaching. "When you are around that type of atmosphere," Carol says, "it inspires students of all ages. They realize they are in a true comfort zone where they can reach those plateaus and acknowledge them and the whole process that it took to arrive there." I tell all my students, "Work hard, give the best you can no matter what you choose to do, and be disciplined enough to give 100%."
To her credit, some of the many awards she has accrued include: 1st place National Champions with Dance Olympus - Dance America for the past 10 years in jazz, tap and ballet, National High Score and Junior High Score, Best Chorographer, Best Precision and Best Technical Execution. Yet, the most prestigious of all is The Richard DiSarno Director's Award for overall high score, first place winner with Joe Tremaine, Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters. Carol says, "When you start dusting trophies, then you know you been a really busy girl!"
She emphasizes how important it is for her to have progressed through these years with someone like Debbie Dee, who owned several of her own studios. To watch Debbie teach with such a high level of professional ethics makes Carol feel proud to have her at the studio. She is a reminder that professional women can and should work together, remain strong in their beliefs, and embrace each other's talents.
When Carol and her husband John began their family, she believed she would have to stop working to raise her wonderful gift, her son Leonard, now age 12. Although tormented about whether to continue or sell her business, Carol eventually chose to persevere as both a businesswoman and a mother. She is proud that Leonard learned the value of determination and discipline without her realization because he observed his Mom go to work with complete dedication and devotion. As her students steadily progressed, he saw how she frequently pushed them at rehearsals by saying, "Do it again, do it again... over and over," and on the way home he would say, "Mom, why did you make them do it again so many times?" Today, an honor roll student, class president and football player, Leonard is usually the first one on the football field at practice and always says, "Thank you, sir" to his coach.
Carol's other gift, Maryann, age 10, is a little dancer who loves acting, modeling, fishing and horseback riding. Maryann studies dance with her Mom and others and she has the reputation of being a quick study. She also possesses a loving heart and an innate ability to hear a piece of music and know instinctively how it should be used in choreography. She is now learning the true disciplines of dance as she prepares for her first national competition this summer.
Carol instructs all children at her school, from beginner to advanced levels of jazz, tap and ballet. She also teaches an adult tap class where her youngest student is 68 and her oldest student is 72. In addition, Carol is the Director of the C. C. Performance Group. Carol stresses; "The emphasis for the girls is not on winning, but on working together as a team and helping each other along the way. Dance, for me, continually moves in the direction of teaching students how to be physically fit, how to express feelings and emotions, while pursuing a path of ethical teaching discipline. Outside, my young students present a very high level of education with disciplined techniques, however, I try to only do competitions once a year because I am not running a competition crazy dance studio. I want to eventually see more dance for the elderly, for children and in hospitals and nursing homes."
The Carol Colbert School of Dance is an extended happy family to all who walk through the door because of the inspiration of Carol Colbert. She is the epitome of success and a mentor to her many students as she passes on the traditions of her own education begun many years ago as a dancer under the tutorship of all those who have been her role
models.