Grooves originated from a Jazz Dance Workshop conducted with second and third graders at a local elementary school. Seven classes, of about 20 students per class, learned sections of a choreographed dance to songs from the Broadway show (and motion picture), Chicago. The 140-member ensemble cast then debuted their performance at a "Family Dance Party." The response was spectacular; the children embraced the music and dance, and parents beamed at their rising starlets!

As the concept for Grooves incubated, the direction matriculated to include more theatrical elements. Founder and Creative Director, Pam England-Morgan, directed "Stage Acting" classes as part of an after-school program. The 6-week curriculum included an introduction to acting techniques, stage direction, theatre games and performances for the school and the Barrington, RI School Committee.

One year after the Family Dance Party, Mrs. E-M led a Jazz Dance Enrichment Cluster that covered the 1920s-1980s in music, dance, fashion and history. The cluster had kids practicing the Charleston, Bus Stop and Bump at home, and performing for a live audience of their peers and teachers, much to everyone's delight!

And, now, here we are, in a spacious, funky, nostalgic studio, participating in an eclectic performing arts program. Everyone is invited to get into Grooves -- fresh, fun, theatrical dance… and more.