If you haven’t seen it yet, you might want to pick up this month’s edition of 55 Plus magazine, which is on newsstands now. Inside (and promo’d on the cover) is a three-page article all about our very own Denise Baller and her dance school, Dancing With Denise.
The article, written and photographed by Linda Quinlan, spans more than 40 years. It tells how Denise began her studio right out of high school in rented space in Irondequoit, eventually purchased her own studio on Gravel Rd., found creative ways to survive through the pandemic, and today manages a very busy and very dynamic dance class schedule.
Quinlan does a nice job capturing the unique blend of programs Denise offers for children and adults of all ages. The article highlights both the offerings at her studio and her ever-expanding repertoire of yoga, line dancing, barre, and Zumba classes held throughout the community. However, if you ask me, the more important story is hidden between the lines: Denise’s personal growth as both a teacher and a dedicated community advocate.
What started as “just” a dance school in a small studio has branched out beyond its walls into the community in heartwarming ways. Like holding a canned-food drive every Thanksgiving. And having her young dancers “adopt” an elder during the holidays and purchase small gifts for them. And her “Leaps of Love” program, which provides scholarships for children in need so they can participate in dance. It’s all part of Denise’s goal to “bring a little sunshine into the world” as often as she can.
Denise estimates she’s taught thousands of students through her dance career. And anyone who knows her gets the sense that she’s only just begun.
You can read the whole story in the May/June edition of 55 Plus, which is available on the Wegmans newsstand at no cost. You can also log onto the 55 Plus website and read the article online.
By the way, here’s a great chance to see Denise’s dancers in action: this year’s end-of-season dance recital will take place on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 10 a.m., at Eastridge High School on East Ridge Rd. in Irondequoit. Everyone is invited, and no tickets are necessary.
This year’s recital — the school’s 41st — is called “Dancing With Denise Goes on an Adventure!” It’ll be about two hours long, and feature dancers from ages two to adult. There’s even a special dance where the girls dance with their daddies, and a featured dance by Denise’s Buddies class, where individuals with special needs dance alongside their buddies.
There’s a reception afterwards, so it sounds like just a wonderful, fun evening.
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(posted 5/15/2026)
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