Peggy Rose Academy of Dance in Berwyn celebrates 40 years

BERWYN – When she was just 16 years old, Berwyn native and accomplished dancer Peggy Rose Kwiatek knew she wanted to teach children how to dance. So, just a few years later, she opened the Peggy Rose Academy of Dance in Berwyn, and after instilling a love of dance in hundreds of children, the studio is now celebrating its 40th anniversary.

“I like working with kids. They look up to me, and I like being a role model,” said Kwiatek, who is a ballet, tap and jazz dancer as well as an instructor. “It’s just really fun. Dance, to me, is happiness. It keeps you in shape while teaching self-esteem, self-awareness and discipline.”

Kwiatek opened her studio in 1983 on the corner of Ogden and Euclid avenues shortly after she graduated with an associate’s degree in business management from Morton College. After seven years, it had grown so much that she needed a bigger space. She moved the studio to Stanley Avenue, where it’s been since.

She said prior to opening her own business, she had been teaching dance at the Berwyn Park District, so when she left there, many of her students followed.

“I had about 100 students initially, so I was very excited,” she said. “This had been something I always wanted to do, and it took off right away. I was just so happy.”

The studio now offers various dance classes, including Mexican folkloric dance, as well as piano and voice lessons. Kwiatek has a staff of 10 instructors.

Kwiatek said she enjoys teaching the youngest dancers, who begin lessons at age 3. She said they give you “lots of love,” while learning how to listen, take turns, follow directions and count music in her classes.

“It’s very rewarding. I have students who’ve come back after many years and say my classes helped them in life with discipline and social graces,” she explained. “One of my former students opened a studio in California, and another became a professional choreographer.”

Olga Verduzco’s 11-year-old daughter has been taking tap lessons with Kwiatek for seven years. She said her daughter always looks forward to coming to the studio.

“Miss Peggy keeps it very vibrant, and she interacts with the kids, which is very important,” Verduzco said. “The kids feel at home, and the instructors make it fun. Lots of schools open and are around for only a year or two, so to be around for 40 years says something.”

Kwiatek has been very involved with the Berwyn community and was the first female member of the Kiwanis Club of Berwyn. She’s still very active in several community organizations, and her involvement allows her students to perform at many events students at other studios might not be able to.

“We dance at many local fairs and events. Our Mexican folkloric group danced at the Feast of Guadalupe,” she said. “My students also participate in Dance Fest at Six Flags. We dance at Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic celebration, and we also do a Christmas show every year.”

At this year’s annual recital June 5, there was an extra special treat to celebrate the anniversary. Kwiatek said the children came out holding balloons at the end of the program, and everyone was given a piece of cake to take home with them.

“It doesn’t feel like 40 years. It went by so fast,” she said. “Students who I taught are now bringing their kids to me. They had good memories, and now they bring their children. I like offering quality dance education in Berwyn.”

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If you go

What: Peggy Rose Academy of Dance

Address: 6829 Stanley Ave., Berwyn

Info: peggyrosedance.com, 708-788-8960