Hillsborough Dance Studio Owner Awarded For Choreography

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough’s Amanda Grace has always had a passion for dance and it shows in her work. Last week, Grace won the Perry Award through the New Jersey Association of Community Theatre (NJACT) for Outstanding Choreography in a production of Disney’s Newsies.

Grace was given the award on Sept. 15 at the 2019 Perry Awards show at the Union County Performing Arts Center. The NJACT Perry Awards are given for outstanding achievements in New Jersey Community Theater. The Perry Awards are awarded in 33 performance and technical categories based on NJACT reviewer scores.

"It was surreal it was very exciting to hear your name called," Grace said. "To go up there and accept the award and give a speech — it really was unexpected and very exciting."

Despite having an extremely successful professional dance background — with the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden and dance coordinator for the New Jersey Devils — Grace credits her students for her success.

"If it wasn’t for me wanting to be the best role model for my students, I don’t know if I would have done 'Newsies' since it was a big commitment," Grace said. "My kids want to do as much as they can possibly do while having fun and enjoying the process. The kids do other sports and still find time to dance."

Grace, who owns Flair Dance Academy off Ilene Court, had choreographed several musicals, and plays in the park in Edison. However, those productions were not associated with the NJACT. With Newsies at Cranford’s Dramatic Club it allowed Grace to be eligible for a Perry Award.

As dance summer camps are now over and the dance season beginning, Grace is excited for the new year with her students.

Flair Dance Academy is open for kids and adults with classes teaching just about everything in dance including jazz, contemporary, hip hop, big production ballet, and more. The studio is currently registering for this season. The season runs September through June.

For more information visit flairdanceacademy.com.

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