For 30 years, former New England Patriots cheerleader Dena Thibodeau has been teaching local dancers ranging from eight to 18 the art of performance and movement at her Main Street school, Dance with Dena.
Recently, her “Dream Team” of 19 dancers performed at the Peabody Black Box Theatre, dazzling the audience with their annual 20-minute show featuring pom poms, tassels, and plenty of glitter.
Over April vacation week, the team will be going on a Carnival cruise to entertain guests with their moves, an example of the journeys Thibodeau takes her students to dance, which also includes local colleges, Boston Celtics games, Canobie Lake Park, Walt Disney World, and the United Nations.
“I’ve really tried to showcase and have them get performance opportunities instead of the competition route. I think that my dance studio is an upbeat, fun, energetic place,” Thibodeau said. “I’m hoping kids from all different communities, we all just get together and they can take a dance class once or twice a week with no pressure of a competition, and they can perform and have fun. They can walk out with a great positive energy, and a good feeling about themselves with confidence.”
A Peabody native, Thibodeau knew right after high school that she wanted to open a dance studio, but went to Merrimack College first at the behest of her parents, where she earned a business degree.
While at Merrimack, she was the dance team’s lead choreographer and would later go on to join the Patriots cheer squad, earning rookie of the year in 1997.
“When I was a Patriots cheerleader, I just drew every kid in there. That really promoted the business very well,” Thibodeau said. “Downtown Peabody, it really works for me… parents can swerve in, drop their kid off, and go right on and do their errands. Go get your nails done downtown, go get Maki sushi, there’s plenty to do down there.”
Thibodeau prides herself on being a successful business owner in the center of the city where she grew up, making sure she maintains a connection with the community and passes on the culture to her students.
For instance, her Dream Team performs at the Peabody International Festival, where the kids can meet city members and become participants in the performing community. Her Black Box Theatre performances have also been an important part of this initiative.
“When they walk in the Black Box, I think the audience and the kids don’t even know how gorgeous and what a hidden gem that place is,” Thibodeau said. “Some of my former dancers now have kids, I have kids of kids, that’s how long I’ve been there. So, I’m honored that they had such a good experience, and they want to let their kids come to me now.”
Coming up in September, Dance with Dena was selected by the Patriots cheerleader organization to host an event where instructors will come to the studio and teach her dancers about health, wellness, and nutrition.
“I’ve been humble about my accomplishments, but now at my time in my business, I mean, I’m doing very well. I’ve been doing well for a long time in the city that I grew up in,” Thibodeau said. “Now it’s time to share my knowledge, my passion, and my accomplishments, and what I can get these kids to do.”
