Our Founder’s Story- Florence Lambros (1931- 2020)
In honor of our Founder, Florence Lambros
Always impeccably dressed and the epitome of class.
Florence Lambros grew up dancing. A student in a Newark, NJ dancing school her entire childhood, she found her calling early in life and discovered a specialty in tap dance. This talent led her to pursue a number of adventures including a memorable audition with the Rockettes in the 1950s and an early career dancing in Milwaukee, WI.
“I bought a one- way ticket, because that’s all I could afford, and I got on a plane to go dance. It was a time of being absolutely free and doing what I loved.”
Once Florence returned to the East Coast, she danced as a soloist in New York City at the 52nd Street nightclubs, which at the time had live music and a floor show. After NYC, she married and started a family, teaching at local studios while her four children were young. As the children got older, Florence wanted to be her own boss.
“I just decided to start my own studio.”
In 1969, Florence rented the space at the Randolph, NJ VFW building. It was truly a family affair, as the children helped create fliers and distribute them in local mailboxes. The studio opened with 75 students!
“That first day I was pretty nervous. I didn’t know how it would all work out, but it did.”
The Art of Dance offered classes twice a week, in a large bare room with a stage.
“I bought a few mirrors, attached them to plywood and clipped them to the stage. We got portable barres and parents sat in the back. I had to set everything up and take it down again each night.”
It was quite a feat how Florence made all of this work while simultaneously raising a family in the 1970s. Florence added to her responsibilities by agreeing to choreograph the Randolph High School plays, which she did for many years. She admitted it was tough to manage the late nights with everything else but noted,
“once you commit to do something, you’re in it until the end.”
Art of Dance, Randolph thrived for many years and in 1983 Florence added a studio in Chester, NJ at the Chester Springs Plaza. Both studios ran concurrently for a year. As the studio in Chester continued to grow, she adapted by moving three more times to where the Art of Dance is now located, which she and Valerie, her youngest daughter, personally designed.
“Valerie went from being a student at the studio, to a teacher, a partner and then the owner. She had big dreams for the future and worked her tail off.”
Florence was very proud of Valerie for building the competition team, bringing better teachers from New York City, and as a result developing better dancers. With just as much pride, Florence beams about her grandchildren and former students who have also followed their dreams and pursued careers in the performing arts.
Florence’s love of family was contagious. She was consistent in her focus on her family, noting they worked together to support her in many ways. Florence smiled while recounting a memorable day when her family members came into town to work on her home together.
“That was the nicest day”.
On transitioning ownership of the studio to her daughter, Valerie Harman, Florence simply said,
“I was ready. She was ready.”
Florence was pleased that her daughter wanted to take over and noted that she was happy to have many memories to look back and smile. She will always be impressed with Valerie’s dedication, compassion and commitment to excellence.
As for the future, Florence’s dream was to see continued family involvement in the studio.
“This place is wonderful because it means the family works together, helps each other and supports each other.”
She also knows that the studio family grows each year with new students.
“Once you’re a part of this community, you’re family for life”
Florence was proud of the students who trained at Art of Dance and grew into wonderful young adults- fantastic students both in dance and academics.
“We’re building the future”
Florence encouraged everyone to consider how lucky they are to be part of such a special community.
“You can’t please everyone all the time, but we have a really good thing here and we care. So we’re always working hard to make it even better.”
She urged us to reflect on how extraordinary this place is, and to appreciate the good in the studio and in life.
Florence was a strong, adaptable, fearless woman. Her talent and passion, tenacity and vision, dedication and perseverance were admirable. She built a thriving family business, which has become a wonderful benefit to the community and all who become a part of this studio.
Florence, Founder of the Art of Dance, has left a legacy of magnanimous proportions. The number of lives she touched is immeasurable and the joy she brought to her community through her love of dance will echo through generations to come. Although Florence is gone, the Art of dance continues to thrive and share the love of dance to all who enter her doors.
