by Jennifer Fiorentino
Dance B.A. graduates Elizabeth Trombley ’02
and Rachel Goldstein ’04, team up to launch
business that is a true legacy to Dean.
Elizabeth Trombley (left) helps student with her form.
Photos by Chuck Ladouceur
Twenty-five years ago the movie Fame graced the silver screen. It was a story of the struggles faced by a group of young people attending a school for performing arts in New York City. In this movie, and the ensuing television series, it was the structure and guidance instilled by instructors that helped these young performers achieve their goals – a message that was not lost on Elizabeth Trombley B.A. ’02, and Rachel Goldstein B.A. ’04.
Nearly nine months have passed since the curtain rose for these young women – graduates of the Dean College School of Dance. The audience to which they are performing, however, is not seated below the footlights of the Broadway stage, but they are the students now enrolled in the Eleve Danse Centre in Mendon, MA, a school founded by Elizabeth and Rachel last year. “This is a dream come true for both of us,” said Elizabeth. “It was the solid foundation we gained while at Dean that gave us both the confidence to take this chance.”
Elizabeth started taking dance lessons at the tender age of five at a small school near her home in upstate New York. Although she lived near Saratoga, the summer home of the New York City Ballet, the area was not heavily focused on the arts and opportunities for a career in dance were limited. It wasn’t until she entered high school and started studying with Angela Haynes-Rogers ’92, that Elizabeth started focusing on her future endeavors. Her goals, however, were not widely embraced.
“When I told my high school guidance counselor that I wanted to go to college as a dance major, I was essentially laughed at and told dance majors don't exist,” she recalled. Despite the discouraging words, Elizabeth was determined to move forward with her plans. Under the guidance of Angela, a Dean Junior College graduate, Elizabeth pursued her dream by applying to her mentor’s alma mater. Elizabeth graduated with her A.A. in Dance in 1997 and remained in the southern New England area and maintained contact with Joan Palladino, Dean of the School of Dance. During the same time, plans to expand those dance programs to eventually offer a baccalaureate degree were underway. In 2000, the efforts were successful and the first class of students was invited to participate – Elizabeth Trombley was among them.
Growing up in Worcester, MA, Rachel’s journey was quite the opposite of Elizabeth’s. Rather than finding resistance along the way, Rachel, who was raised in an area rich in support of the arts, was nurtured from the age of three when she first started dance lessons with renowned instructor Charlotte Klein. Rachel remained under Klein’s tutelage until the age of 18.While Rachel said she was very serious about pursuing a career in dance, she was more intrigued by teaching. After graduating from high school, Rachel came to Dean in 2000 as a dance major.
It was also that year Elizabeth and Rachel met for the first time. Although a freshman dance major, Rachel joined junior and senior level dancers due mainly to her advanced skill level. The two became friends and remained in contact after Elizabeth graduated in 2002. It wasn’t until the two joined another group of friends for dinner early last year that they realized they may just be artistic soul mates, despite the diversity of their backgrounds and training.
“I told Beth it had always been my dream to open a dance school and she told me she also wanted to do the same thing,” said Rachel.
 It wasn’t long before the search began for a suitable site. Success was found several months later as the two staked their claim to the location on Route 16 in Mendon. Since opening the doors on July 1, 2004, Beth and Rachel have taught more than 50 pupils. They are now looking forward to the first recital, which is slated to take to the Dean College stage in May.
“We couldn’t think of any place else we wanted to have our first show but Dean,” said Rachel. “For us, it’s like we’re coming home and we’re bringing what we have learned back with us.”
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