One hundred students, parents and friends explored the bright new mirrored space that is All About Dance on Sunday at its grand reopening.

Hardwood floors shined. Mirrored studios gleamed. Pink and black walls and trim popped, as did fresh flowers, tiaras and tutus.

Owner Lisa Faia celebrated her enlarged and rearranged dance studio — which now includes the dance retail store Tiaras, Tights and Tutus — with color.

Visitors eyed the clean, bright and colorful surroundings, and chatted, between 9 and 1.

All About Dance has a gallery-like feel.

Framed paintings and photographs decorate studios and the waiting room. Sculpted dancers sit on tables. Colorful and flouncy dresses hang high on walls, suspended like leaping dancers. Tiaras and accessories are arranged inside glass cases.

Lisa expanded her business in the Essex Street plaza opposite Swampscott High when its barber shop, C & K Barbers, moved to the end of the strip mall.

Q & A with Lisa about the new All About Dance

When did you first open your business?

I opened my business in September of 2006.

What kind of dance classes do you offer?

We offer Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Modern, Hip Hop, Acro and specialty Kids Programs such as Mini Movement and Creative Dance for the Tiny Dancers.

What ages do you serve?

Ages of students are from 2.9-18years.

What is your address, your days and hours of operation?  

We are located at 213 Essex Street, #3, Swampscott We are open Monday-Saturday.

How long have you been dancing?

I have been dancing since I was 3 so .... 44 years.

Are you the sole instructor or are there others?

I have 2 teachers besides myself.  Miss Christina McGahey and Miss Jacqueline Mason.

Did you close and are now reopening? Or have you remained open and are celebrating the expansion and retail store?

I did not close.  I expanded my space within the building.  I started at 1,800 square feet and am not at 4,000 square feet. We expanded and opened a retail store.... Tiaras, Tights and Tutus... A Dancer's Boutique.

How do the changes, the expansion and retail store, serve your students?

The new space offers my clients a much larger waiting room, A dancer's lounge and a huge bathroom/changing room.  The retail store is one stop shopping.  My clients can get everything they need all in one place.

Where did you get the name for the business — All About Dance? And how does it reflect your studio's dance philosophy?

I got the name for my dancing school from my mom.  The retail store was a collaboration of my family, friends and clients.
The name of the studio is All About Dance.  And that's it period.  My entire life it has been my dream to be a dance teacher.  My first priority was my family and when I thought we were all ready, I invested in my dream.  I am all about dance ... ask anyone who knows me.

Do you have any longtime students? How long?

I have only been in business for 7 years and have had many girls that have been with me that long.

What is your specialty?

My personal specialty is the little dancers.  I truly believe that being a mom myself helps me with understanding their needs, that only a mom can.  I focus on dancers from ages 2.9-10.  Miss Christina takes over at that point.  It is truly a joint effort between my teachers and my amazing office Manager, Cheryl Winters.  She keeps the studio ticking. 

Sign up for Swampscott Patch’s daily newsletter, “like” us on Facebook and “follow” us on Twitter to get news, blogs, announcements and events.

Want to share your opinions with your community? Start your own blog here.