The Parents
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Gateway to the Arts has been my daughter’s second family since she was 4 years old. We started with a pre-school dance class to keep an extremely active preschooler moving and we haven’t looked back! My daughter is now almost 12 and she has added Acrobatics, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Contemporary/Lyrical, and Broadway Kids plus private voice lessons to her repertoire, and is looking forward to adding A Cappella vocal training next year. The studio, in her words, is her "happy place" and if she could be there all day every day, she would be thrilled! The teachers, both dance and vocal, are amazing and take the time to get to know the students so that they can get the best out of each performer in the most encouraging and supportive environment possible. Every child has the opportunity to shine and be their absolute best. My daughter knows that she not only has the full support of her teachers, but her fellow dancers and singers – everybody cheers and roots for each other! Most of her favorite memories of her childhood so far have been at the studio, the variety and holiday shows and Camp Gateway. I couldn’t ask for a better place for my daughter to spend her formative years, knowing that she is surrounded by so many people who have her best interests at heart.
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Our oldest child barely made eye contact or spoke to others. We looked for ways to help her build her confidence and increase her self-esteem; enter Broadway Kids at Gateway to the Arts! She has taken this class and others starting from 1st grade and is now in the 5th grade and absolutely LOVES it. We have been able to watch her blossom into a more confident and self-reliant person. Best of all, the staff cares so much about every student and she feels so valued there. And considering GTA is a non-competitive studio, the talent there is amazing! Both of our children now attend Gateway and say it is the best part of their week.
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We are so fortunate to have heard about Gateway to the Arts through a friend way back in 2006, soon after they opened their doors. Our daughter was just 3 when she fell in love with dance and only 5 when she fell in love with Gateway! There was no turning back! She is now 16 and involved in every aspect of musical theatre thanks to Gateway and their top-notch teachers, administration, and extensive training programs. They genuinely care and are gifted at bringing out the best in your child!
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My daughters Ana and Maria both attend Gateway to the Arts- I can't say enough great things about Gateway! The staff is beyond talented and great with the kids. They have learned so much and love attending dance, voice, and Broadway Kids classes. The productions they put on “wow” us every time! Thank you, Gateway; I am so glad we made the decision to sign up a few years ago!
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My daughters have been part of the Gateway To The Arts family since it opened in 2005. They would consider it their home away from home. Karen and Julie, the owners, have been mentors for both of my daughters. They have learned not only dance, theater, and music, but confidence, security, and love! They have the quality of a competition studio without the stress.
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We have been part of the Gateway family for over 9 years, and that's exactly what it is, a family. My oldest daughter graduated from high school in 2014. She started Gateway as an extremely shy 6th grader. I've watched her develop into a young, confident, beautiful woman, and I know Gateway played a huge roll in her development. As I quote from her college essay (prompt: Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content), "After my first week there (Gateway), I felt something that I've never felt before. I felt comfortable." My youngest daughter started Gateway when was in first grade and has been there for 7 years. She loves being part of the family as well! She has thrived in the loving atmosphere and I know she will continue to do so.
Both my daughters have learned so much from Gateway. They have been surrounded by wonderful teachers/mentors who not only have taught them how to sing and dance beautifully, but also how to navigate through middle school and high school and life in general. They have met friends from all different towns in our area that I know will remain life long friends. I am so thankful for all that Gateway to the Arts has taught my girls, and for being part of our family! -
Gateway was and continues to be home away from home for our daughter and at times for us too! It's hard not to feel a part of the closeness and positive philosophy Julie and Karen nurture . We first knew Julie as a young teenager who herself was part of a dance company and student teacher. Both of our daughters were fortunate enough to have Julie as one of their teachers . As our girls began their love for dance Julie was developing an even stronger technique and attitude that she has carried with her and strives to instill in her students . Our daughter was in the first class at Gateway where she thrived not only as a dancer but learned compassion, non judgement and positivity. As a "dancing" family the other pieces of Gateway were new to us. Although our daughter didn't personally participate in voice and acting she was exposed to all that Gateway offers and has deep friendships still with others that weren't in classes but part of the Gateway family. Even though Karen was never our daughter's teacher she was very much a part of her Gateway experience and a positive influence. The alumnae are a strong group. Many now are adults, have moved on to families, school and careers. Yet, hang around the studio around the holidays and always at the shows. There will always be alumnae in the wings, giving their support and encouragement to the students and respect to their teachers. Gateway is a safe, fun, and nurturing school that educates minds, bodies and hearts. We will forever be grateful to Julie and Karen for the gift they gave our daughter.
PS. As a former Gateway student of adult Tap and Jazz classes I (Kim) proudly count myself as an alum!
The Students
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Gateway to the Arts is an incredible place. The classes that I took each week throughout high school provided me with the skills to grow and develop as a singer and a performer. I also gained a great deal of confidence in myself, as I was learning and growing in a safe environment. I was able to take all of the skills that I learned at Gateway and apply them throughout my course work in my college music program and beyond. I am forever grateful for the foundation in singing and the performing arts that Gateway to the Arts provided me.
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In 2007, I walked through the doors of Gateway to the Arts as an eager, yet shy teenager looking for an artistic outlet. I had absolutely no idea the extent to which my time at GTA would shape me not only as a performer, but as a professional as well as a human being. As a student and alumna of Gateway to the Arts I gained valuable training in the performing arts while learning invaluable personal and professional lessons that have aided me in my personal life and academic and professional careers. While I was learning my time steps for tap class or preparing for a Camp Gateway show, I was unknowingly developing a strong work-ethic and obtaining valuable skills in time-management, responsibility, and working with others. The warm and loving atmosphere of Gateway to the Arts makes it an even more comfortable space for exploring one’s self and learning difficult lessons. With the support and guidance of instructors and mentors like Julie and Karen, I felt empowered to take risks and become the best version of myself. Gateway to the Arts was (and still is!) more than just a performing arts studio to me—it’s much more like a second home. It’s where I’ve formed some of my closest and most meaningful relationships and made memories I will never forget. You’ll still find me around the studio and at every performance because I want to help Gateway to the Arts continue to be the safe, exciting, and formative space it was for me. I am so grateful to have Gateway to the Arts in my life!
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When I left the world of competitive dance, I began searching for a new dance studio. After attending a few different studios in the area, a friend referred me to Gateway. It was clear to me from the beginning that Gateway was unlike any of the studios I attended before. Due to the smaller more intimate class sizes I received more individual attention from my teachers, a rarity at larger studios. The cut-throat competitive culture I experienced at other studios was replaced with a supportive and nurturing environment that encouraged my growth as an artist.
Although I did not go on to have a professional career in the arts, my experience at Gateway inspired me to continue my dance education during college and earn a dance minor upon graduation. I can't imagine my life without Gateway. I've made many lifelong friends and wonderful memories at the studio. I'm grateful to Julie, Karen, and the rest of the staff for creating such a special place where kids can share their passion for the arts.
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Gateway's staff and students welcomed me like family when I started taking classes at 14. In high school, with Karen's guidance as my voice teacher, I placed 1st in the Classical Music category at NATS. My training at Gateway helped me get into Montclair State University’s selective BFA Musical Theatre program, and today, I am a professional singer/musical artist. I remain in close contact with many of my Gateway friends, and they remain a big part of my life as I continue on my path in the professional world.
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Gateway to the Arts is a fantastic place to study and gives you the tools to help you chase your dreams. The entire staff, notably Julie and Karen, set me up for the crazy world of musical theatre and what to expect. This led me to getting cast in my first professional show at The Paper Mill Playhouse as a senior in High School. I have carried this knowledge through college and now into the industry as a proud & working member of Actor's Equity. I am forever grateful for the tools I learned here and for the continued support from the staff.
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Through my time spent taking classes at Gateway to the Arts, I gained invaluable experiences and friendships that ultimately increased my overall confidence throughout various areas of my life. Gateway not only provided me with skills I was able to utilize during high school and college theater productions, but also with a support system that has stayed with me throughout the years. I am currently employed as a speech-language pathologist and absolutely credit my passion to help others express themselves to the caring, creative and enthusiastic community of GTA.