(BALDWIN, N.Y.) - In recognition of March as Women’s History Month, Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé (D - Freeport) honored Melanie Richards Vaughan, owner of Pat’s Dance Studio in Baldwin.
What began as a handful of dancers in an at-home studio run by Pat in 1979 grew into a full studio location on Baldwin’s Church Street with more than 100 students. After serving as the studio’s Assistant Director, Melanie, who grew up learning how to dance from her aunt Pat, became the studio’s owner in 2018. While the COVID-19 pandemic posed a real challenge, some out-of-the-box thinking, and a healthy dose of innovation enabled Melanie to teach Zoom classes from a makeshift studio at her home. Today, she is proud to say that they enrollment is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.
“For more than four decades, Pat’s Dance Studio has been a staple of the Baldwin community where former students stay on to become teachers and multiple generations embark upon their journey into the world of dance,” Legislator Mulé said. “It’s wonderful to see how Melanie has continued a family tradition that continues to give so many people the opportunity to explore their passion for the performing arts.”
PHOTO CREDIT - Office of Legislator Debra Mulé