At Central Park Dance in Scarsdale, joining a dance company isn’t just for weekends spent at the barre! Now celebrating 35 years, the studio hosts their Signature, Signature Elite and Remixx dance Companies with a pre-professional training curriculum and a commitment to giving back to the community.
Through Project Inspire, an initiative developed by the studio’s Artistic Director, Maria Bai, Central Park Dance has worked to develop a studio culture that aims to make a positive impact on the surrounding communities who are in need. Along with supporting causes to fund research for breast and pediatric cancer, juvenile diabetes, and autism and visiting and dancing at senior homes around the area, the dancers have also helped to feed the homeless for over 5 years. Throughout the year, the groups gather to make sandwiches and deliver them for local midnight runs in lower Westchester. This past winter, the dancers made over 300 sandwiches in just one afternoon, and the studio continues to develop new initiatives to give back.
“I started doing this with my children when they were younger,” recalls Bai. “I saw the way it made them feel and appreciate things they hadn’t considered before. When these companies got more established, I wanted to focus on not only developing great dancers, but great citizens who above all are generous and warm. Our Project Inspire brings our own studio community closer together but also brings our larger communities together too.”
Bai and some of her Signature dancers were recently seen on ABC’s The Chew, recognizing them for their kindness and commitment to making a difference, and will continue to feed the homeless and share their talents.
I started working at Countryside Montessori in 2004, with the original owner and founder, Sharon Adar. Under Sharon’s guidance and direction, I watched as Countryside grew and we quickly became close friends. Sharon’s dedication and passion fueled me to want to have as positive an impact and influence on children as she so naturally did. We worked together to create an environment for children and fostered and cultivated their unique minds. This was an approach to education that Sharon and I felt was much needed in the community. As a result of Sharon’s passion, drive and hard work, Countryside and our students grew, flourished and thrived. We moved to a larger location, (our current one), and are now able to accept more children. One of the saddest days of my life was the day Sharon suddenly passed away, leaving a newborn child and 2 toddlers, both of whom were attending Countryside. That day not only ignited tremendous grief but it also inspired me to step in at Countryside and continue to nurture and grow Sharon’s Dream. All of the plans and dreams we had discussed, I would try to fulfill. Sharon had inspired me for so many years and I Read more
In 2013, Kevin Plein and Darin Feldman walked away from successful jobs in the business world in hopes of finding something more fulfilling. They knew they were happiest when they teamed up to coach their kids in softball. Sharing their enthusiasm and creating a passion-building experience for other young athletes became their mission. That’s how A-Game Sports was born. It took time to find a perfect home for their vision. After renting out various fields for more than two years, the pair found a home in New Rochelle at 856 Main Street. The 25,000 square-foot indoor space has become the perfect spot for young athletes to learn new skills and improve on existing abilities. With a turf field for lacrosse and soccer training as well as a turf baseball diamond and batting cages, the facility caters to all athletes. Designated areas created for speed and strength workouts conditioning host fitness boot camps and other workout programs. The sport-specific training and practice the facility offers helps form the physical component of being an athlete. Complimented by the speed and strength drills, A-Game Sports addresses the entire athletic experience. To help ensure young athletes become the best they can be, health, wellness Read more
Having an extensive background in the food and restaurant industry, and most recently owning and operating a Nathan’s within a children's entertainment venue, led me to my latest business opportunity.