MNR Dance Factory

What Parents Are Saying?

Jamie Lee Curtis - Actress

My daughter Annie Guest is the dancer she is today because of The Dance Factory. She started there as a student of Roni's and soon moved on to the dance "TEAM" where she learned the invaluable lessons of team work, showing up for others and being a responsible member of the community. Her dance training at the Dance Factory resulted in her being heavily involved in the dance company at Windward School and her work with Roni and Joelle, watching them choreograph her numerous group and solo team numbers, gave Anne the confidence to branch out into choreography where she has demonstrated tremendous talent and creativity.

So much in fact that when the head of the dance department at school had a two moth medical leave in the middle of the year, Anne TAUGHT the advanced dance class and choreographed 6 of 9 pieces for the Founder's Day Dance Concert. She also founded and choreographed the Windward "PEP DANCE SQUAD" where she had upwards of twenty-five dancers.

Who knows where college will take her and if she decides on a career in dance but the foundations laid at the Dance Factory have established a passion which will carry on through her adulthood. These photos (left marign) are a few of her most recent choreography pieces.

Jamie Lee Curtis - Actress

Rachel Hunter - Super Model

My daughter has gone from a shy girl to the young woman she is today with the nurturing of Roni and MnR Dance Factory. She has learned some invaluble life lessons and has gained tremendous self esteem during the past 5 years.

When she first joined the dance team she would only paticipate in group numbers. By the 2nd year, with gentle encouragement from Roni, she went onto do her first solo. Mnr has been an incredible supportive family envioronment. It has been so important for Renee to find something that she is passionate about. It is teaching her strong work ethics, social skills, and team work along gaining confidence and self esteem.

What more could a mother ask for outside the home.

Rachel Hunter

Wilma Chung

My almost 17 year old daughter has been with MNR Dance studio since she was 2 years old. She definitely has grown up here learning not only dance technique and style, but comraderie and cooperation with her fellow teammates in all levels of performance and competition. Her developed sense of style grows from the level of confidence and self esteem she has worked so hard to achieve with Roni Blak, MNR's Director. Moreover, Roni has taught all the girls not just the importance of dancing well, but using this beautiful medium to fund raise monies for different charities and to give back to the community in as many ways possible. Our dancers are truly fortunate to have a home away from home where they can practice the art of dance while growing up to be productive members of our society. Thank you to Roni and all the teachers and staff at MNR Dance Factory

Wilma Chung

Sandy Faison (Brush) - Broadway Actress/Producer

"Will the real mother of Molly and Lucy Brush stand up?" Biologically, they're my progeny: otherwise, I share the honors with Roni Blak.

Roni has "mothered" thousands of her clients' children in ways beyond the influence of the day to day mom. Concepts such as character, humility, camaraderie, competitiveness, passion, pursuit of excellence, self-awareness, and grace remain largely theoretical in the home, whereas Roni created a forum in which they become actual.

Roni's child, The Dance Factory, is not filled with widgets; it is populated by our young people moving in space. It is a kinetic incubator, administered by a generous woman who shares her wisdom and love through art. The Dance Factory is indeed "Where Dancers Grow Up." But, I would add... "into more than dancers."

Thank you, Roni, for configuring my children. Thank you for blessing the blessing. On behalf of myself, mine, and ours, Roni, thank you for the joy.

Sandy Faison (Brush)
Broadway Actress/Producer

Lisa Winick Portrait Artist/Set Designer

Our family has been, and continues to be, so greatly enriched by this incredibly creative environment. When roxanne started at the dance factory at 4 years old, (11 years ago!) I thought it was so cute and fun. It was also great for me as a mom to meet other involved parents. I had no idea, down the line, what an important role staying in dance would come to mean.

As a young teenager, there are so many influences beyond our control, and, without anyone really noticing, our kids get off on all sorts of different tracks, some of which we can't understand or don't think are wholesome. Staying with roni, sometimes against her wishes, has provided a place where she can change, while staying active in her body, and interested in the other team members. We have watched all along the way, the different choices that her teammates have made and have seen, over time, some of the results. Talk about growing up together!

When roxanne was 12 and 13 she asserted that she was through with dance, that now her interests had changed and she no longer wanted to put her time into the dance team. I told her that unless she could come up with a better activity than instant messaging and talking on the phone to replace dance she needed to stay. This was a hard battle that was only resolved with caring and thoughtful intervention from roni. Now at 15, roxanne is in some ways in an enviable position. Since many of her friends have given up the 'childish' activities they were involved in to pursue being a teenager, they have significantly more time on their hands. They are often waiting for her to finish dancing, or a competition, or assisting suzanne and roni. They watch her tap and not only think it's cool, but even say how they wished their parents made them stay with something.

So even though i don't know a lot of the moms of the small dancers, i'd just like you to know that, over time, the dance factory has over the years provided a sense of community that i am sure we would not have otherwise had. The far reaching benefits of our involvement with MnR will always be with us.

So enjoy those tutus and bows while they last, and make sure that they are 'growing up' where you want them to.
From the heart, 
Lisa Winick
Portrait Artist/Set Designer
Donna Wirshing
Clinical Psychologist
Veteran's Hospital

Marianne and Roni,

Thanks for your consideration on the time issue and appreciate that the kids definitely benefited from the rehearsal! But mostly: Thanks for your creativity, hard work, patience, and incredible attention to details, making the dance team a wonderful experience for our children. Your efforts seem a labor of love for our kids and go far beyond the call of duty. Our kids have such fun and gain so much confidence! I am so proud of the whole team and the beautiful, tastefully costumed (thank you Marianne's mom), professionally set decorated (thank you Sharon), dances they performed. On a selfish note, having a full time career that is sort of isolating, it has been such a pleasure for me to meet other moms during the hours we spend together thrilled at the fun and beauty of our children "growing up" (thank you other moms!).

Sincerely,
Donna Wirshing
Clinical Psychologist
Veteran's Hospital

Nadine Geher
Parent, Attorney & Special Needs Advocate

I was recently inspired to express my own appreciation for my daughter's 11 years of "growing up" at MNR Dance Factory after reading a heartfelt open e-mail dialog from many of the dance team Moms. It made me realize that the Dance Factory truly is a community and although our community is very diverse we are actually more alike than we are different. We all share a love for our daughters and the way they have grown up at MNR Dance Factory. What tied each and every e-mail together was the similarity between the way each Mom expressed her admiration for Roni, Molly and Marianne and the environment that the Dance Factory has provided the girls, allowing each girl to flourish and grow in a positive way.

There is a bond amongst dancers. No matter what their feelings are toward each other prior to performance time, when they are on stage they are unified, they are one, they are a team. This is an important part of growing up and a necessary element to moving into adulthood. In addition to the cherished friendships our girls have acquired, and perhaps even more significant, they have learned values and lessons of great magnitude that will last a lifetime. They have been taught compassion for others, something that seems to have been diluted from our society's values. They know that it is alright not to like everyone. However, they must treat each other with respect and always put certain feelings aside for the good of the team. Although our girls are growing up in the "me" generation, at MNR Dance Factory our girls have learned the importance of "we."

What makes a great team is its leader's knowledge of the strengths and weakness of each individual member. It was at our first team party, when I heard Roni take the time to humorously speak about each one of our daughters, that I became conscious of the extraordinary role that Roni plays in the lives of our daughters and what she accomplishes each year. Roni objectively knows not only my daughter, but all of our daughters. Roni has perfected bringing to fruition each of our daughters strengths and through this she has given them self confidence. Dance has opened more doors for my daughter than I could ever have imagined. It has been said, "It takes a village to raise a child." MNR Dance Factory is our village. If I haven't said it often enough, thank you Roni and staff.

Nadine Geher
Parent, Attorney & Special Needs Advocate

Deirdre Richards
Standup Comic, former dancer
and most importantly Mother!

My daughter first came to MnR Dance Factory when she was a cute little 4 year old. Eight seasons later through many changes and upheavals, it has remained a constant in her life. Every teacher has made her feel supported and welcome, building on her strengths and shoring up her weaknesses to help shape her into the best possible dancer she can be. Roni Blak creates an environment that is loving, enthusiastic and supportive for all dance students and their parents. It is with gratitude and joy that I happily recommend MnR Dance Factory to any and all students interested in dance.

Deirdre Richards
Standup Comic, former dancer and most importantly Mother!