Harrison Small Business Spotlight: Magical Movements School of Dance

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Magical Movements School of Dance

Owner: Linda Francica Laraqui

Website: www.magicalmovements.net

Address: 33 Halstead Avenue, Harrison, NY

How did you come up with the name?

The name just came to me. Moving our bodies is something enchanting for those dancing and those watching. Whether it’s creative ballet or Broadway jazz, the art form of dance is so beautiful and Magical Movements captures that idea with a ring to it.

Why start a business in this town?

I majored in dance and theatre at Manhattanville College in Purchase. I taught dance mainly in Rye Brook, Harrison, Mamaroneck, and Scarsdale. I was offered a rental space to teach classes and host birthday parties at a former Harrison spa. This town was a central location for students and their families. So I took this first stepping stone, and within 5 months, the studio moved to a wonderful space, its present location on Halstead Avenue.

What business are you in?

Magical Movements is a dance studio offering a wide array of classes for 2 year-olds to adults. We sell dance wear in our waiting room boutique, and offer performance opportunities, birthday parties and summer mini-camps.

What the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

The most difficult challenge has been business growth. From being “the new kid on the block” when we opened in 2003, to the financial crisis in 2008, and much competition in the area in 2015, I have to put 110 percent into Magical Movements. I credit our business growth with creative classes, flexible scheduling, memorable recitals, and unique birthday parties. Since the difficult economic times, we offer discounts, incentives, coupons, along with reasonable rates. Most importantly, the staff and I interact with students and their families. We cater to wants and needs, listen to questions and concerns. We try our best to be attentive and show them that we truly care.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

My proudest achievement is volunteering my time to choreograph and coach The Shooting Stars, a preteen-teen student dance company, from 2011-2015. With directing the studio, teaching vigorously, entertaining at birthday parties, planning performances, and running thesummer camp, I am very busy. However, I have this found volunteer work to be anamazing experience, where dancers are pushed beyond their comfort zone to bringinnovative pieces to the community in a non-competitive environment. The Shooting Stars have performed at the Palace Theatre, Avon foundation fundraisers, It’s Great To Live In Harrison Celebrations, Magical Movements dance concerts, and a Harlem Globetrotters half-time show. They have been invited to dance at Westchester Knicks, New York Liberty, Brooklyn Nets, and college basketball games.

How does your business give back to the community?

Magical Movements brings the arts to the community in many special ways. We encourage students to share their class experience at Bring A Buddy Week. We showcase student creativity and growth at in-studio observation days and recitals. We provide entertainment at events like the It’s Great To Live In Harrison Celebration, and perform for great causes at Dance Works Fundraiser Showcases. Every year, Magical Movements donates class semesters to local school auctions and fundraisers. We bring classes to local pre-K and elementary school programs. And when we see promising students in need of financial help, we offer them tuition discounts and scholarships.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.