About Us
For more than five decades, Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio has been educating and inspiring generations of dancers throughout Southern New England. Founded by former Radio City Music Hall Rockette Carolyn Dutra, CDDS is rooted in tradition while continuing to grow, evolve and share the joy of dance with every new generation.
At CDDS, we believe dance lessons teach so much more than dance. Our students learn confidence, responsibility, teamwork and resilience, along with the importance of kindness, respect and inclusion. We are proud to be an inclusive studio where all children are welcome.
As a performance-based, non-competitive dance school, performing and being involved in our community are a big part of who we are. Our dancers perform at community events throughout the year, in addition to our own Winter Holiday performances and annual June Recitals.
Over the years, CDDS dancers have gone on to become Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Broadway dancers, professional performers, cruise line dancers, television and film actors, models, singers and professional dance team members. They have also become doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, police officers, newscasters, meteorologists, parents and so much more. Many have even returned to CDDS as faculty.
Miss Carolyn is proud of every student who has come through our doors and wherever their path has taken them. More than anything, she hopes they carry what they learned here with them - to live their lives to the fullest, with kindness in their hearts and integrity in their character.
Once a Carolyn Dutra Dancer, always a Carolyn Dutra Dancer.
At CDDS, we believe dance lessons teach so much more than dance. Our students learn confidence, responsibility, teamwork and resilience, along with the importance of kindness, respect and inclusion. We are proud to be an inclusive studio where all children are welcome.
As a performance-based, non-competitive dance school, performing and being involved in our community are a big part of who we are. Our dancers perform at community events throughout the year, in addition to our own Winter Holiday performances and annual June Recitals.
Over the years, CDDS dancers have gone on to become Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Broadway dancers, professional performers, cruise line dancers, television and film actors, models, singers and professional dance team members. They have also become doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, police officers, newscasters, meteorologists, parents and so much more. Many have even returned to CDDS as faculty.
Miss Carolyn is proud of every student who has come through our doors and wherever their path has taken them. More than anything, she hopes they carry what they learned here with them - to live their lives to the fullest, with kindness in their hearts and integrity in their character.
Once a Carolyn Dutra Dancer, always a Carolyn Dutra Dancer.
Dance For Art, Inc.
Miss Carolyn founded Dance For Art, Inc. (DFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, in 1994 with a mission to provide performance opportunities for young dancers and cultivate community through the arts.
DFA supports dancers through performance opportunities, community service projects, scholarships, guest teachers, choreography, costumes and other educational experiences. Financial scholarships also help dancers pursue workshops, training and performing arts opportunities locally and around the world.
Community service has always been an important part of Dance For Art. Through performances, service projects and partnerships with local organizations, dancers learn the importance of using their talents to give back and make a difference in their community.
Dance For Art believes in creating opportunities for young dancers to learn, perform, give back and grow through the arts.
DFA supports dancers through performance opportunities, community service projects, scholarships, guest teachers, choreography, costumes and other educational experiences. Financial scholarships also help dancers pursue workshops, training and performing arts opportunities locally and around the world.
Community service has always been an important part of Dance For Art. Through performances, service projects and partnerships with local organizations, dancers learn the importance of using their talents to give back and make a difference in their community.
Dance For Art believes in creating opportunities for young dancers to learn, perform, give back and grow through the arts.
Philosophy
Tradition with an Edge.
At Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio, we believe dance education goes far beyond learning steps. Our goal is to develop strong dancers while building confidence, responsibility, teamwork, kindness and integrity - lessons our students carry with them outside the studio and long after their dancing years.
Every dancer's journey is different. We believe in meeting dancers where they are, challenging them to grow and recognizing that meaningful progress happens over time. Our teachers bring their experience and expertise to each dancer's training while encouraging a love of dance and the joy of performing.
We expect our dancers to work hard, be kind, respect one another, take corrections with a positive attitude and contribute to a supportive learning environment. We believe some of the most important lessons learned through dance are how to handle challenges, celebrate others, keep working and trust the process.
Above all, we want CDDS to be a place where dancers feel welcome, supported and proud to be themselves.
At Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio, we believe dance education goes far beyond learning steps. Our goal is to develop strong dancers while building confidence, responsibility, teamwork, kindness and integrity - lessons our students carry with them outside the studio and long after their dancing years.
Every dancer's journey is different. We believe in meeting dancers where they are, challenging them to grow and recognizing that meaningful progress happens over time. Our teachers bring their experience and expertise to each dancer's training while encouraging a love of dance and the joy of performing.
We expect our dancers to work hard, be kind, respect one another, take corrections with a positive attitude and contribute to a supportive learning environment. We believe some of the most important lessons learned through dance are how to handle challenges, celebrate others, keep working and trust the process.
Above all, we want CDDS to be a place where dancers feel welcome, supported and proud to be themselves.
To Our Parents
For more than 50 years, families have trusted me and my teachers with something very special, their children. It has always been important to me that our students receive proper dance education in a professional, nurturing and fun environment. But what happens here has never been only about dance.
We want our students to work hard, learn responsibility, build confidence, be good teammates and treat others with kindness and respect. We want them to learn how to be disappointed and keep going, how to accept a correction and grow from it, how to be proud of themselves and how to be happy for someone else.
That takes a partnership between our dancers, their families and our teachers. I ask our parents to trust our teachers, trust the decisions we make for each dancer and help us encourage their children to keep working, growing and enjoying their own individual journey.
My hope is that every child who comes through our doors leaves with wonderful memories, a love of dance and lessons that stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Dancingly Yours,
Miss Carolyn
We want our students to work hard, learn responsibility, build confidence, be good teammates and treat others with kindness and respect. We want them to learn how to be disappointed and keep going, how to accept a correction and grow from it, how to be proud of themselves and how to be happy for someone else.
That takes a partnership between our dancers, their families and our teachers. I ask our parents to trust our teachers, trust the decisions we make for each dancer and help us encourage their children to keep working, growing and enjoying their own individual journey.
My hope is that every child who comes through our doors leaves with wonderful memories, a love of dance and lessons that stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Dancingly Yours,
Miss Carolyn