Our Story

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Dance N Beyond has a rich history rooted in passion, tradition, and community. Originally founded as Berkshire Foothills Ballet School, the studio became a second home for countless dancers under the loving ownership of Ann Sovak. For many years, Ann nurtured the studio with dedication and care, creating a place where students could grow both as dancers and as individuals. In 2021, she passed the torch to Michelle Deraleau and her daughters, Ileighana and Samara, ensuring that the studio’s legacy would live on through another family deeply connected to dance.

For Michelle, dance has always been a lifelong calling. She has danced since childhood and spent over 30 years teaching before stepping into ownership of Dance N Beyond. Her daughters, Ileighana and Samara, grew up within the very walls of the studio, training for more than fifteen years each. They began as eager young dancers, moved into roles as student teachers, and now proudly help lead the studio alongside their mother.

For the Deraleau family, dance has never been just a hobby; it has been a constant companion through life’s highs and lows. In the face of challenges, dance has always been there to provide comfort, strength, and inspiration, helping to transform difficult times into moments of resilience and creativity. This belief is at the heart of Dance N Beyond: when the going gets rough, we keep dancing. It's our mission to encourage every student to do the same.

Our story would not be complete without recognizing the incredible teachers who make Dance N Beyond what it is today. Each one of our instructors has been part of the studio for many years, some for decades, creating a sense of stability, consistency, and family that our dancers and parents can always count on.

As we continue to grow, we remain deeply committed to preserving the welcoming, inspiring, and family-focused environment that has defined our studio for generations. Dance N Beyond is more than a place to learn steps. It’s a place to belong, to be uplifted, and to become part of a story much bigger than yourself. We're so glad you're here to be a part of ours!