Elektra Dance celebrates 40 years in business

Owner of Elektra Dance, Theresa Schoemer, located at 10 Wilcox Avenue in Center Moriches, is currently celebrating 40 years in business.

The dance studio has locations in both Selden and Center Moriches, with family roots deep in Brookhaven dating back generations. Schoemer’s great-grandfather, Charles Furman, was the longest-serving minister at the Congregational Church of Lake Grove.

Schoemer started dancing at 6 years old after her doctor recommended dance to help with a slight physical handicap she was born with.

“What started as something recommended by my doctor quickly became something I truly loved,” she said.

She danced through her teenage years up until around age 17, when she naturally transitioned into teaching dance and continuing her training.

“Dance became not just my career, but a lifelong passion,” she said.

But what Makes Dance Elektra different?

Dance Elektra, she said, welcomes dancers starting as young age 2 with classes available for children, teens and adults. Adult classes include Zumba and social dancing. They also offer styles including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip-hop, and acro.

Also, students are not pressured into competition if that isn’t what they want.

The studio offers both general dancing and competitive opportunities.

“Students who simply want to dance for fun are just as welcome,” she added. “Dance Elektra strives to be inclusive and welcoming to dancers of all abilities. Students with special circumstances are welcomed and encouraged to participate alongside their peers.

Many students come back with their own children to take classes at Dance Elektra.”

The studio has a large staff with teachers who specialize in different styles of dance, including her daughter Sarina, who grew up dancing at Dance Elektra. Sarina now teaches at the studio. 

Additionally, Schoemer is active with both chambers of commerce in the areas where her studios are located. Dance Elektra donates birthday party packages as raffle prizes to local organizations. And she looks for ways for the studio to give back beyond simply teaching dance.

One of her favorite competitions is The Power of Dance Competition, created by Kevin Haver, with the goal of allowing dancers to compete for monetary prizes that are donated to charities chosen by the dancers. Dance Elektra has chosen Keith Caputo’s Helping Makes U Happy as its charity.

The studio has fundraised in connection with the competition. Most recently, Dance Elektra was able to donate $1,200 to HMUH.

For more information about the studio visit: danceelektra.com.