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Current and former students - to submit a testimonial please click here.
"I first discovered Madame Latin, Saratoga's 'hidden treasure' 3 years ago. After 30 years of being away from my favorite thing in the world (dance), I discovered Madame's American Dance Center. Having danced from age 4-20 and having been a member of 2 regional dance companies, I have had the opportunity of experiencing many teachers in all forms of dance. By a landslide, Madame Latin is the very best teacher I have ever had the opportunity to experience. Madame's skilled eye can spot the most minute adjustment in body placement (even from across the room!) which corrects the dancer, enabling correct placement allowing proper execution of the step. Her choreography is timeless and inspiring. She is ageless in her thinking. Her teaching is loving, yet firm. She inspires one to push themselves and accomplish more. She is dedicated to her students, sharing not only her vast knowledge of dance, but also sharing vignettes of life's wisdom and lessons, life skills and etiquette. I am honored and blessed to have the opportunity of experiencing the gifts of Madame Latin!"
"...Madame's inner beauty and courage has inspired me to love myself, act like a lady and take care of my family. She has so much knowledge that I'm not sure in a lifetime I could learn everything from her that I would love to learn. She has got to be one of the most interesting people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. From her birth through to date, the woman has endured so much and I can see that it all has only made her stronger and a better person. What a GENUINE person that God has shared with me and I am ever so blessed to know her."
"I have been studying with Madame for 4 years, and in that time, she has drastically changed my perspective on dance and shaped my future. She has an endless passion for dance and shares every ounce of her passion and love for dance to all her students.
Madame's teaching style is remarkable because of her attention to detail and the amount of time and effort she puts into every class. Madame has given me a knowledge, appreciation and passion for ballet. With Madame, the quality of my dancing and techniques have improved tremendously. "
My name is Alex Shattuck. I first began dancing in college where I studied ballet for 4 years. Thirty years later, and with great trepidation I returned to the world I once loved so much. I have been gifted with a teacher whose caring, passion, and committment to excellence is evidenced by the fact that many of her students go on to professional careets in top companies. I, on the other hand am one of Madame's adult tudents. I recently turned 56. I have been taking her classes for 2 1/2 wonderful years. Dancing brings me great joy. I have learned to take her advice...her famous dictate, "Park your ego outside the door, and strive to be the best you can be at this moment. You can pick it up on the way out" has served me well. She is an amazing human being and a fabulous teacher, as well as a cherished friend. It is my hope to continue to take her classes for many years to come. ~ Alex Shattuck, age 56
Madame has been a part of my life for the past seventeen years now. She has been not only a teacher but also a mentor in that time. Growing up, Madame helped make the American Dance Center my safe haven away from the rest of the world. Whenever we would come to class or rehearsal, we were told to leave all that other “stuff” at the door so that we could dance from our hearts without having to worry about anything else. She helped to create this place that allowed us all to take a break from whatever was going on in our lives and just dance it all away. Nothing could ever get to me there. Madame also taught me a lot about life that I would use everyday outside the studio. She taught me about respect, discipline, dedication, strength, and responsibility as well as many other things. She is so passionate about dance, teaching, life, everything. She always used to say that it does not matter what you do as long as you are passionate about it. When it comes to dance, Madame motivates and pushes people to levels they did not know were possible. She makes you want to do as well as you can and push yourself farther each day. Her enthusiasm and passion very often are contagious. Her love for what she does travels through the air and at times is almost electric. I often have felt that passing on her wisdom and knowledge as well as witnessing her students benefit from it and progress gives her strength. This was always seen in her many “discussions” that she would have with us about everything from dance to every day life. I think that dance and teaching have become her fountain of youth and help to fuel her to continue on. Madame even sometimes produces more energy teaching than the students who are taking her class. I know that my life has been molded by her being in it and I cannot imagine what it would have been like if she had not been a part of it for all these years. I am forever grateful for every thing she has done for me and all that she has taught me. She has touched many lives and contributed so much to the art of dance over the years. I know she will continue giving her gift and I am so glad that I can also call her my friend. ~Jessica Benway
I have had the honor and privilege of knowing Madame for over 20 years. Her patience, love and encouragement has been tremendously influential in my life, and I am forever grateful to know her. She has always been there for me as a spiritual guide, providing me with thoughtful insight in times of need while allowing me the freedom to make my own mistakes and to learn from them.
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