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Dance academy thrives with mother-daughter duo

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Contributed by: Rebecca Zimmerman/YourHub.com on 3/12/2008

Editor's note: Visit our Faces of South Metro page, where YourHub.com staff and readers can introduce you to more people who make this part of the metro area what it is.

Mother-daughter duo Bobbie and Alison Jaramillo are co-owners and co-directors of Littleton Dance Academy.

"And co-janitors," mother Bobbie said. "We are it."

With a rich background in dance and performance, they decided to open the academy after teaching together at another dance studio. They had their studio up in running in a month in a small building in downtown Littleton. They later moved into their current building and have been there for more than three years.

"Students who came with us at the beginning are still here," Bobbie said. "They are really, really involved. And we try to have a more family-like place."

On March 6, Alison, who takes care of a lot of the office duties, arrived at the studio around 9:30 a.m. She taught a preschool ballet class, then answered phones, talked to parents and checked e-mail. Alison said she has really grown to like the business side of things.

"The biggest project I worked on today was the annual school performance," said Alison. "I have to make sure all the students have something to do during it, which can be a challenge."

That show takes place at Heritage High School in June, and Alison said about 115 to 135 of the students participate, including some the older students from their adult classes. The entire academy currently has 135 students enrolled.

"I ordered 44 tutus today, which is a lot of tutus," Alison said.

Bobbie arrived at the studio around 1 p.m. after teaching a dance class at Heritage High School. Both Bobbie and Alison also teach at Heritage for the "Theater Topics" classes.

"Teaching at Heritage is very rewarding," Bobbie said. "There's not one negative moment."

In the afternoon, Bobbie and Alison worked together on the annual school performance -- deciding on costumes and music until their afternoon classes started. Both said they just come up the choreography in their heads.

"I don't ever just sit down and write stuff out." Alison said. "I choreograph a lot while I'm driving in the car."

Bobbie said Thursdays are her easy days. After discussing the annual school performance with Alison, she taught an adult tap dance class at 4:30 p.m. and then left to teach an ice skating class at South Suburban Parks and Recreation from 6 to 7 p.m.

"It's an early night for me," Bobbie said.

Alison usually teaches just three classes on Thursdays, which she also said is one of her easier days. However, one of her instructors called in sick, and she had to fill in for the instructor's Ballet 5 class.

"We can never be sick." Alison said.

Even though the hours can get long and days can be stressful, Bobbie and Alison said they are both very passionate about what they do.

"It's a dream job for both of us," Alison said. "I can't imagine doing anything else."

To learn more about the Littleton Dance Academy, at 5239 S. Rio Grande St., Littleton, go to www.littletondanceacademy.com.

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