Just in time for the holidays, we’d like to feature one of our longtime clients: Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center, a local dance school that has been wowing the Bellingham/Franklin, MA, community with their amazing performance of The Nutcracker for over a decade! Every year, this show combines visual splendor and classic music, and it has become a part of the community’s holiday tradition.
A Community Event
The Nutcracker is a truly a community event. Each year, PEDC holds open auditions, drawing the cast not only from the dance school, but also from the larger community. PEDC does not charge for rehearsals or training for this performance (the only cost to a cast member is the $25 costume rental fee), so it’s like getting 4 months of ballet lessons free. Why did PEDC decide to begin this holiday tradition? Miss Patti was inspired to do this as a child.
Miss Patti, as her devoted students call her, told us: “As a military child, I grew up moving from place to place. I didn’t have the opportunity to participate in things like this. I told myself that if I were ever in the position to help anyone wanting to dance, I would make it happen. Offering dance to everyone in the community, seeing the children learn and grow and smile, brings me true joy.” The audience certainly feels that joy. Year after year, community members flock to each performance.
A Dance Spectacular
This spectacular show would never happen without a team of people working to help. Miss Patti shared the names of her wonderful team with us: “Our unbelievable instructors/choreographers help to put this altogether and we truly couldn’t do it without them, Ashley Eisenhauer Esteves, Aimee Goguen, Kathleen Yatsuhashi, Mindy Knyff, Michaella Knyff. I also have to thank my amazing husband, Dana Eisenhauer, and son, Bobby Eisenhauer, and son in-law, Marcos Esteves, for set design, set-up, take down, and making the scenes and snow to come to life. Our wonderful office staff, Terri Donovon, Marcos Esteves, Donna Boyajian, Tricia Finamore, and Lynne Santorsola handle all the ticket sales, the ticket table at the shows, and publicity. And of course I have to thank all the parents who are always willing to lend a helping hand for their children to have the best experience ever.”
Ten Key’s Role: Behind the Scenes
A show like The Nutcracker has a lot going on behind the scenes! And behind the scenes at PEDC, Ten Key, Inc. helps keep the business running smoothly. “We started with Ten Key, Inc. about 5 years ago. I’m usually a planner, and very organized. But Stephanie has truly changed our lives and how we run every day of the business.” The Eisenhauers were facing some challenges, and Ten Key leapt in (with a grand jeté, you might say) to help out. “With Stephanie’s help and advice, every year since that time gets better. We continue to grow the asset column and lower the liability column. Ten Key helps us meet and exceed our financial goals, all while doing what we love: bringing the best quality dance education to our community.”
We partner with Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center, offering accounting and bookkeeping to help them stay on their toes. Celebrate another successful year of The Nutcracker with us. May the dance go on for many years to come!