I love to dance, I always have. It is my passion. At 17, I danced with the June Taylor Dancers touring all over the United States with huge celebrities, honing my craft. I later continued on to dance with the Radio City Rockettes. I lived my dream as a performer and then became an educator, touring the United States, giving master classes to dance teachers and making over 21 teaching albums of my own. As I was on the road for over 20 years, I was intrigued by the competition world. Why would these dancers put themselves through the devastation of being constantly judged at such young and tender ages? This is the time they should be studying, developing their craft in a learning environment with encouragement. I can't imagine what would have happened to me if I had been exposed to this world. I feel it crushes the spirit when it is at its most vulnerable.
So, as an educator, I took the stand to never bring my students to competition. Don't get me wrong, our classes are professional and we have high standards. Our teachers must student teach for years before they get their own classes. We have produced numerous Rockettes, Broadway dancers, choreographers, many of whom are currently working. Our dance companies are lead by one of my students, Mr. Lloyd Culbreath, who has performed in over 25 Broadway shows. He is currently developing his own show set to hit the Broadway stage. Our kick line, fashioned after the Rockettes, has performed for the EAB Christmas tree lighting and currently at The Tilles Center Christmas Pops concerts since 1995. All of our companies have been asked to perform at major events and charities . This December, our ballet company will be performing at St. Agnes Cathedral for the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
I would like our school to be the one that is developing, not only great dancers, but young people who want to be in a non competitive environment. This will enable them to grow into well rounded individuals. We also know that the expense of being part of the competition world is staggering. This makes the June Claire Dance Center an excellent choice for a superior dance education that's exceptionally affordable!
Your children can go as far as they want in their training here. They can learn to audition for a real professional job in the industry or they can simply just come for the love of dance that we all share with them. That’s ok too! Their only competitor is themself.
If your child does wish to become a professional dancer they will be well equipped and trained. Believe me, the director or producer is not at all interested in how many trophies or competitions they have won. My point, simply put, 'the merit of a dancer should never be measured by a trophy'.
Miss Lynda Gache
Owner/Director
June Claire Dance Studios
Est. 1953
To Compete or Not To Compete:
June Claire Dance Center was first established in 1954, 62 years and counting. We have four locations across Long Island; Babylon, Holbrook, Smithtown, and West Hempstead. Our Directors, Miss Lynda and the late Miss June are former Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Lynda was also a June Taylor Dancer on the Jackie Gleason show. Lynda continues to be in high demand all over the United States with her show-stopping routines for teachers and students. Our staff has an incomparable amount of experience in the fields of professional dance, choreography, and teaching. We have a great number of accomplishments to be proud of. Our Junior Dance Company has represented the Walt Disney films "101 Dalmations" and "It's a Bug's Life" in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Both our JC Lynn Dancers and our Junior Dance Company performed for 13 years at the EAB Tree Lighting Ceremony in Uniondale, New York. Our JC Lynn Dancers have performed at the Town of Oyster Bay's Annual Holiday Show for over ten years. Our Dancers have danced on tour in many cities around the Country, including Las Vegas. Our JC Lynn Company has produced many New York City Rockettes, including three who are currently performing in the Christmas Show. Our Long Island Ballet Company has performed at Lincoln Center. Our graduates have gone on to join major Dance Companies and to perform at various venues, including the Westbury Music Fair. Among many Benefits, our dancers have performed at Little Flower Children and Family Services, the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Care Center, Catholic Charities of New York, Good Samaritan Hospital and various Nursing Homes around New York. We are incredibly proud of all we have accomplished and look forward to the new opportunities that will come our way in the future.