East Brunswick Dance Studio Praised For Being 'Inclusive’ Place

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — In 1955, Jackie-Lynn started a dance studio in the garage of her home in Elizabeth. She would charge 25 cents a class. A passionate dancer, Jackie-Lynn took a break when she joined the Rockettes and toured the country.

She started teaching dance again after a year. She was soon joined by her daughter Robin. Years later, Robin’s daughter Jasi-Lynn would join her mother and grandmother to continue teaching dance.

Three generations of women passionate about dance run the Kaye Lynn Dance Studio in East Brunswick and Edison. It’s no surprise then that Patch readers overwhelmingly nominated this family-owned dance studio for Business of the Year.

“We started in Edison in 1959. When I moved to East Brunswick with my children, everybody would say they wished I had a studio,” said Robin, who studied dance at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers.

Robin’s studio below Chase Bank on Cranbury Road, East Brunswick is a popular destination for those who want to learn dance.

But when the pandemic hit, Robin and Jasi-Lynn discovered they had to quickly adapt. “We did crazy things – we dressed my daughter up as a dancing elephant with a tutu. And we did drive-bys and birthday parties. We did zoom classes nonstop,” said Robin.

Conducting classes on Zoom is not always easy. “We’ve had a number of dropouts because kids are on Zoom all day – for their classes in school and then this. I understand,” she said.

When New Jersey allowed indoor businesses to resume, Robin and Jasi-Lynn began taking their classes outdoors.

The pandemic has also changed the way they teach dance. “We used to say, ‘everybody hold hands, let's make a circle.’ You don't do that anymore. Little things that you can’t do, so we have to come up with an alternative,” said Robin.

With the weather getting colder, classes have now moved indoors. But with indoor capacity limited to 25 percent, only six to seven children are allowed at a time. They also have a cleaning crew who clean and disinfect after every class.

“So, the income is not as much, but we’re doing the best we can,” said Robin.

And their efforts have been appreciated by East Brunswick residents.

Jessica Fox, whose daughter goes to Kaye Lynn Dance Studio said she was “impressed with the precautions taken by the staff.

“I was so impressed with the precautions that the staff has taken. We started with outdoor lawn classes while the weather was still nice. Now that it is colder, we are back in the studio with small class sizes. The staff is taking great care in sterilizing all equipment, encouraging the use of masks, and keeping the kids safe and happy,” said Fox.

“They are all inclusive and always welcoming. The dance education is wonderful, the atmosphere is always positive and uplifting,” said Amy Gialanella.

Others appreciate that they are a non-recital studio. “They are not into fancy recitals, so they are able to focus on really teaching dance,” said Jamie Wasserman.

"They are loving and caring with all students and excel at teaching dance, but above that, confidence in the children. It’s amazing to be a part of such a positive group. As a parent of a very shy child, this place has changed her for the better,” said Wasserman.

The dance studio is in its 66th year now, and Robin credits her daughter Jasi, husband and staff for putting in the hard work and making it a community favorite.

“Jasi got married in August. She is my right arm, I couldn't do this without her,” said Robin.

Jackie-Lynn is currently in Florida with her husband. “She does all the paperwork and boring stuff,” said Robin.

“But the three of us together - three generations - are still really working hard as a team,” she said.

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