New Dance Studio Leaps into Seekonk Business Sector

Though movement is an integral part of being a human, moving with fluidity and grace, can, well, take a little practice. Luckily for those eager to learn, Seekonk Dance Center has just opened its doors and is taking students.

The new school, owned by dancer Shannon Ashton, opened earlier this month on Progress Street next door to and Big Fitness. Serving toddlers to adults, SDC offers standard fare such as ballet, tap, jazz as well as classes like “Wee Dance,” for toddlers and parents, “princess dance” (with a Princess theme, naturally), zumba, acrobatics, adult hip hop fitness, lyrical and pom dance (think pom-poms mixed with Hip-Hop and jazz.)

Ashton, who is currently the sole instructor, began dancing at the age of two-years-old. After high school she trained and worked in early childhood education while still continuing to dance. Later she studied and was certified at the Teacher’s Club of Boston. With the opening of her studio, she is truly following in her mother’s footsteps. Ashton’s mother, a ballroom dancer, owns and operates Riverside Dance Center, where Ashton cut her chops and continues to teach to this day.

As if her hands weren’t full enough, Ashton remains the full-time Director of the North Attleboro YMCA, where she’s worked for two years. She’s also a mother to three children under the age of 15.

“I have to make sure I’m playing my bills. It’ll be tough for a while, but I’ll make it work,” she said. “My husband is bearing with me until everything is all set.”

Though Ashton grew up and lives in Rehoboth, she thought it too rural of a location for the studio. She says she always knew Seekonk was the place to do it. When she found a location with a yoga studio and gym next door, she jumped at the chance. So far, her investment is paying off. In just two short weeks of being open the school has 23 students.

As is typical, the studio has hard wood floors, ballet barres and mirrors. It also has a waiting room with a viewing window where parents can proudly take a gander at their young as they learn to move with grace.

Eventually Ashton hopes to bring on at least two more teachers to expand programming. Until then, she’ll keep up a grueling 60-plus hour work week, which doesn’t seem to bother her.

“My dream has always been to own my own center. At this point in my life, in my mid 30s, I figured I ought to do it,” said Ashton.