So it’s July and time to celebrate one small, and one very large anniversary. We aren’t trying to upstage the USA’s 250th birthday, but we are extremely proud that Albany Dance & Fitness is 15 years old this month, and still going strong.

I discovered my calling for teaching dance when I first taught adults while still in high school. I pursued a career with New York State while raising a family, but I continued teaching classes, in a variety of locations, while working full time. Opening my own studio had been a lifelong dream, and several wonderful opportunities like an early retirement incentive, allowed me to make it come true.

I have to pinch myself that my dream of having my own studio allows me to cater to busy adults who may or may not have had a chance to dance when they were younger. It also provides a space for the local dance and fitness community to offer a wider variety of classes than I could possibly teach.

Since opening in 2011, the diversity of instructors, and classes we offer shows me just how much the studio has grown. I took the opportunity to review the class schedules from the first year, and found there were many ‘dark days’ with no classes on the schedule. This really amazes me because now between weekly classes, private lessons, workshops and rehearsals, it’s difficult at times to squeeze in anything more.

So, I’m feeling the need to celebrate the studio’s 15th anniversary, and want to spread the fun out a bit. We have planned a couple of events that will be held later in the year. The first event will be combined with our annual open house, which is scheduled for September 19th.  Come for the open house and stay or drop in for the party. Here is your chance to chat with other dancers, and teachers and enjoy light refreshments. More details will be available as we get closer to the event.

In the meantime, I hope to see you at class or next week at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Yes, July also brings New York City Ballet to town, and that’s where I’ll be if I’m not at the studio.

Stay cool

~Gail

ADF Events

• Expressive Dance Flow Workshop 7/5/26 1:30-2:30 pm
• Wedding Dance Workshop 7/12/26 2:00-4:00 pm
• All Levels Hip Hop Dance Workshop 7/17/26 7:00-8:30 pm
• INT/ADV Hip Hop Workshop with Erica 7/18/26 6:00-7:30 pm
• INT/ADV Open Style Workshop with Erica 7/25/26 6:00-7:30 pm
• All Levels Hip Hop Fusion with Emely 7/31/26 7:00-8:30 pm

ADF Subs

• 7/2 Contemporary Ballet: Nikki
• 7/7 Beginning & Intermediate Ballet: Charmaine
• 7/9 Contemporary Ballet: Laura
• 7/13 Essentrics: Carlie
• 7/13 Gentle Ballet: Robert
• 7/13 Beginning Ballet & Pointe: Charmaine
• 7/14 Essentrics: Carlie
• 7/15 Gentle Ballet: Robert or Susan
• 7/23 Contemporary Ballet: tbd