Passion, artistry, and movement are the foundations of the new LMNTS Dance Collective in Metuchen, says Lauren Belasco. She and her sister, Morgan O’Shea, directors and co-owners of the new studio – which opened in July – studied dance from a young age.
“Our goal as a new studio is to continue to grow and elevate our students as dancers and performers,” says Belasco. “We are committed to community, creativity and excellence in dance education.”
Dance studios have a long tradition of connecting people to movement. From balance to self-confidence, dance lessons help students develop and grow while having fun.
“Our mission is to inspire, train and support dancers of all ages and abilities in a positive, welcoming environment,” Belasco says.
Not only are Belasco and O’Shea alumni from Ms. Doreen’s Fabulous Feet, a Metuchen dance studio which recently closed after over 30 years of operation, but they also taught at the studio and were directors of the competition team there for the past few years.
Ms. Doreen retired in June, says Belasco. “Her dedication and passion have inspired countless dancers, and her contributions to our artistic community will never be forgotten,” she notes.
In January, aware of Ms. Doreen’s decision to retire at the end of the school year, the two sisters began to discuss opening their own studio, LMNTS (pronounced “Elements”) Dance Collective, to continue the local dance tradition.
“Going into this endeavor was daunting, and never something I thought would be happening, but the moment there was a possibility of not having dance and our dancers in our lives, Lauren and I knew we had to act,” says O’Shea. “It has been such a fulfilling past few months, getting to work so closely with my sister and having the support of our family, the families of dancers we’ve known for years, and the community.” All the families from Ms. Doreen’s Fabulous Feet resumed their dance education at LMNTS, says Belasco, and knowing that the students would have somewhere to continue dancing helped Ms. Doreen with the process of retiring.
Classes at LMNTS, located at 15 Highland Avenue, Metuchen, are offered in age categories from tots and toddlers to juniors and teens. Dance classes for kids include ballet, pointe, hip-hop, tap, jazz, contemporary, and acro. Adult classes are offered in tap, barre, yoga and hip-hop. Beyond providing dances classes, LMNTS is building on the importance of community.
“From the first day we stepped in, we felt welcomed, supported, and part of something really special,” says Gerryl Cariquitan, a mother of a student at the studio. “It’s not just a place to take dance classes, it is genuinely a community, and for many of us, it’s truly become a second home.” She notes that the LMNTS directors and instructors care about each dancer. “Whether someone is dancing for fun or is part of the competition team, the encouragement, patience and dedication they provide to each individual dancer are all the same. They help build confidence, discipline and a real sense of team spirit, and they do it all with so much love,” Cariquitan said.
All dance students enrolled in ballet, who are ages 3 and up, have the opportunity to carry on the 30-year tradition, started by Ms. Doreen, of performing in “The Nutcracker” Ballet.
“It’s such a beautiful tradition that brings the dance families together and has created amazing lasting memories for all of us, not just for the dancers, but for our families as well,” Cariquitan said. This year’s performance of “The Nutcracker” will involve Metuchen residents to fill the roles of family members in the first act scene; in addition, scenes of the famous holiday ballet will be performed before local nursing homes.
LMNTS engages in community fairs, parades and school events, in addition to hosting Arts 4 A Cause, which is a night where local dance studios come together to raise money for a specific charity, according to Belasco.
“We really get to know the dancers and their families. At LMNTS, we are more than a studio, we are a family,” Belasco says.
For more information, visit lmntsdance.com.
