Testimonials
The BELANGER Family
I just wanted to say thank you to Bonnie and Holly for putting on an incredible performance in your June 2025 Recital “BEST DAY EVER!”. My entire family was blown away with the high quality of the entire show, from the beautiful and well thought out costumes, amazing sets, creative music, and interwoven storyline.
We left our old studio and tried out Encore because Madeleine wasn't learning or improving. I am beyond happy that I see improvement in Madeleine's coordination and that she is picking up new skills. She loves her classes, she feels confident and she feels welcomed. And I appreciated that her dances and costumes were age appropriate, thoughtful and beautiful. I am so thankful for all you do and it is evident that you both, and the staff, and the teachers, put their heart and souls into this studio, students and shows. Encore is a great place to be, and we look forward to many more shows to come!
Julianne Corbett
Encore has always been our home away from home. Growing up, my two sisters and myself spent countless hours at the studio. Over the years we made friends that have turned into life long friends. I had the opportunity to assist Bonnie in the tiny tot classes through high school and continue on to become one of her instructors at the studio. Bonnie especially has made a positive impact in my life and has been there for me through my childhood years into my adult years including my bridal shower, wedding, baby shower and so much more! She continues to support me throughout my life. We loved our time at Encore and have lasting memories that still bring joy and laughter.
Brittany Gilmore
Encore has always been home away from home. Of course, my deep love and passion for dance started here, and continues to cultivate as I teach the generations to come. I am thankful for the path Encore has paved for me. My dreams to be a professional performer have come to fruition due to my training here, but even more than just dance skill, Encore has been a major part of my life, career and identity. The friendships I have made at Encore have changed my life for the better. These are the people that have shown up for every season of my life and have supported me continuously. Thank you Bonnie, for all you have given me. Words will never express my gratitude.
The Dupuy Family
The Dupuys have been with Encore for 33 AMAZING years. It all started when Amber was 3 years old and we have never left! It was at an Encore recital at 2 ½ years old that Amber first discovered dance. With hands glued to the seat in front of her, she never moved throughout the entire performance. We knew then that Encore was going to become her second home. It is the lifelong friendships and memories made at Encore that Amber treasures most.
Amber feels so fortunate to still be making memories at Encore, participating now in her 32nd recital. Amber has loved being able to continue the Encore legacy as a teacher, sharing her knowledge and foundation that grew from her time dancing at Encore. A memory Donna will never forget was when Amber was 5 years old and went missing at a performance at the fair. When Donna finally found her, she was standing right next to Bonnie in the wing watching the older girl’s dance. Amber looked up at Miss Bonnie and said, "I want to dance like them someday". From that day on she never stopped dancing. Bonnie and Donna have had many interesting and fun adventures together, usually when going on their weekly trips to LA's fabric district for costume shopping. What one didn't think of the other did, as they worked hard to create the most elaborate costumes….even if it was Donna convincing Bonnie to buy just a yard of the most expensive fabric for an entire Tinkerbell costume. Bill and Jim have become such great friends through their prop-building escapades, that they are now referred to as Frick and Frack. They've always bonded over their love for the Dodgers, listening to game after game while contemplating how best to engineer some hare brained prop idea (most likely for one of Amber's dances).
The Copelands have become our family, sharing many adventures together. We are so fortunate that we are still creating such amazing memories. Happy Anniversary and congratulations on a brilliant 40-year run!!!
Daisy Kwok
As a grandparent of two grandsons who have danced at Encore Dance Studio since they were around four years old, I can attest to the outstanding quality of Bonnie Copeland’s program and the nurturing, family-oriented atmosphere she has cultivated. Encore provides top-notch instruction because their teachers are professionals actively working in the industry. The studio offers a diverse curriculum, teaching all forms of dance, including ballet/pointe, jazz, tap, modern, and hip-hop. My elder grandson is now a teen and the younger is a pre-teen. Both have made remarkable strides and thoroughly enjoyed their time at Encore, thanks to the kindness and high caliber of the instructors. They have also had regular opportunities to perform on stage, which has helped build their confidence over the years and allowed them to showcase their growth and passion for dance. I truly appreciate the Copelands for their commitment to excellence and their dedication to providing a service that not only teaches technique and performance but also creates memories that last a lifetime!
Courtney & Tom Boyle
Encore Dance Centre is a one-of-a-kind studio! Our daughter, Rachel, has been dancing at Encore for 13 years and it is like her second home. We are truly blessed to have Rachel be a part of this studio that has fostered a passion for dance, as well as strengthened her skills and confidence as a performer. Cheers to 40 years of Encore Dance Centre!
Tory Beckwith
Encore is so special to me. Although I am incredibly thankful for the dance training I received, I am more grateful for the countless memories, the lasting friendships and the profound impact it has had on my identity. Encore is where I first fell in love with performing, and it is such a joy to watch the next generation enjoy that experience. Thank you Bonnie, for all you have done!! I am so grateful for this place that has continued to be my home away from home.
Jennifer Graves
Our daughter McKenna danced at Encore for 12 years. Over those years, Encore became an important part of who we were as a family. We were a “dance family.” We would spend hours in the studio watching class, chatting with parents and staff, and helping with various chores. We (Mike and I) both really loved watching how the dances would come together, from being choreographed at the studio, to being performed on stage. When asked to talk about a favorite memory, there are just so many that it is hard to narrow it down. We enjoyed years of recitals, Nutcrackers, photo/video shoots, birthday circles, not to mention classes with the most talented and caring dance teachers. If I were to pick a favorite though, it would be McKenna dancing as P.T. Barnum in the Greatest Show number in the 2023 recital. Mike’s favorite memory is being part of the Mother Foggers crew working with the dry ice backstage with the other dads at Nutcracker. McKenna’s favorite memory is dancing as the Rose Queen in Nutcracker and the camaraderie backstage at every show. Not only did McKenna receive an absolutely amazing dance education at Encore, but we gained a wonderful group of friends as well.
Tami Moran
Encore has been my daughter’s home away from home since she first walked into the building with pink walls and the stunning mural in the front almost fifteen years ago. The studio and every teacher gave her a space to explore and discover her love for performing and made me, as a mom, feel content knowing that Tara was surrounded by people who supported her and what she loved most. The foundation Encore gave Tara has honed her technical skills while instilling in her a deep appreciation for the transformative power of the arts, discipline, and a desire to give back. The dedication and talent of the Encore staff brings Broadway level productions to our community with each year surpassing the brilliance and creativity of previous years. The support and encouragement you and your staff have given and continue to give Tara in her college years is proof of your passion and commitment to the arts and your students. Thank you, Bonnie, for cultivating an environment of love, determination, professionalism and expression in the family you have built at Encore.
Cindy Holden
Congratulations Encore for reaching a milestone - your 40th Anniversary. I feel so privileged and honored to have been able to share in your success story for 20+ years. Both my daughter, Jenny and my granddaughter, Kelsey had the opportunity to grow and mature in your dance program. They were taught with hard work and discipline how to succeed, and with your nurturing, developed a strong sense of self. The yearly productions bringing family and friends together to support the girls will be cherished memories forever. You truly out did yourself year after year. So thank you Encore, you're the best!
Debbie Clemens
I’m so lucky to have been part of this wonderful Encore family! I was thrilled when my friend Bonnie asked me to join her staff , and of course I said yes. I enjoyed every minute of my time at this amazing studio. It was a privilege teaching dance to your beautiful children and watching them grow from tiny tots to teenagers and beyond. I thank you all for sharing them with me. Congratulations Bonnie my lifelong friend, thanks for all of the laughs and good times that we’ve shared, and to BBoHiHo….I love you all!
Jen Perez
I was in Mrs. Bonnie’s first dance recital 40 years ago. I danced with Holly and Heidi and built a love and appreciation for dance at Encore. Because of my own experience, when my daughter Kennedy was 4, I enrolled her in her first combo class taking tap and ballet at EDC. She was in her first recital that year playing a target duck in a Disneyland themed dance about Frontierland. Kennedy took that role very seriously at the ripe old age of 4 and actually earned Student of the Month at Encore one month after turning 5. I remember like yesterday her bright yellow feathered tutu and matching hat duck-walking all the way off stage until she was completely out of sight. If you know Encore, you know that every single costume is carefully designed and masterfully executed, and dancers stay in character until they are all the way in the wings.
My favorite costume was Kennedy’ Peter Pan costume, which she wore in 7th grade. Each leaf was meticulously cut and sewn - and the boots, wig, and hat made it look straight off of Broadway. That had to be my favorite show as well, not only because my daughter actually took harness classes and learned to fly, but also because that cast was especially close and the friendships between those girls remains strong today. That’s the special thing about Encore. The relationships built there are as valuable as the amazing dance training they receive.
There are so many recital memories to treasure, but no one can argue there is something special about Nutcracker at the holidays. Kennedy was in the first ten Nutcrackers at EDC. My favorite Nutcracker memories are the year she played Clara in fifth grade when the show was still at APU, the year the snow fell on her as the Snow Queen, and her senior year of high school when she was the Sugar Plum Fairy. It has been a joy to watch my girl - and the show itself - grow into what they each are now.
There is no doubt that Kennedy would not be who she is today without the dance training she received at Encore. Unlike at other studios, at Encore Kennedy was able to take all types of classes from ballet, to tap, to jazz, to hip hop - and even voice lessons. The classes she took prepared her for intense modern and ballet training at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, rigorous college training at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and a growing career in the musical theatre industry. Kennedy says the versatility in training also helped her prepare for professional roles as a swing or understudy where she has to know all styles of dance and be able jump in at a moment’s notice to cover another performer if they are sick or injured. Last summer Kennedy performed as a swing in the World Premier or Summer Stock with Corbin Bleu and she is currently in rehearsals for her first Off-Broadway show entitled Empire where she will be a set performer in the ensemble, but also understudy several larger roles. We will always be grateful to Mrs. Bonnie and all of her amazing teachers who not only prepared her for New York jobs, classes and auditions, but whose mentorship helped her to tackle the physical and mental demands that come from working in this competitive industry.
Congratulations to Mrs. Bonnie on an amazing 40 years. I am so grateful that I danced with you in your first recital and that my girl danced with you in hers. Thank you for the memories, the training, and the relationships!
Cindy (Fletcher) Lopez
I was a student of Encore from ages 5-17. Now at 40 years old, I believe I started with Encore when they were in their 5th year of business. I cannot express the incredible impact Encore had on me as a child & as a young adult. I still to this day find myself dancing in the kitchen, never having lost the love of dance Encore instilled in me many years ago. I remember my mom picking me up from school and changing in the back of the car while she went through a drive thru before dropping me off at the studio. I was at the studio from the time I got out of school until around 8:00pm every weekday night. I even had the fun opportunity of attending their first summer camp days, where we got to dance in the pool! Encore was my second home and the teachers & staff I held with such regard. I had the blessing of being taught by both Bonnie & Holly. Bonnie even taught my mother tap! The wonderful strength, drive, discipline & creativity these women instilled in me will never leave me. Now, I have the amazing experience of watching my daughter learn & thrive at Encore. I am so grateful to have such an experience. I thank you Encore for the memories I will never forget, the passion for dance that thrives within me, the support & love you provided to me as a student & for the positive environment you provided to a young girl 35 years ago. I am forever grateful to you all. Here's to many more years!!!
Alyssa Ferree
Encore was such a fun part of my youth and I have amazing memories being on stage, making friends and dancing. I truly believe that my years of dance, musical theater and performing made me the person I am today. Once my daughters were three years old, I knew I wanted them to dance at Encore and have the same amazing experiences that I had. This year’s recital is extra special for my family because not only are my two oldest daughters dancing but both my husband and I will be joining in as well! I am so happy to be celebrating this special 40th anniversary with Bonnie and all the incredible staff at Encore. It truly is a family affair!
Teri Beeso
My daughter Ali Beeso danced at Encore from age 3 years old to 18 years old (2006- 2021). Encore to us is more than just a dance studio, it was more an extended family for both of us. It was a place where life- long friendships were made and life-long lessons taught and learned. Ali learned about teamwork, compromise, discipline, and that hard work brings results. She had amazing instructors who gave her opportunities to further her love of dance. She was able to assist classes at such a young age, teach classes and summer camps and choreograph at Encore as well as help with Coco’s summer productions and be a camp counselor at Camp Me. Dance was such a huge part of our lives for so many years and there were a whole lot of wonderful memories made here at Encore that we will hold dear in our hearts forever. We love you all!
Wendy Bennett
Calista started dancing with Encore when she was 5 years old in a tap/ballet class. She studied dance all the way through high school eventually participating in just about every class Encore offered. Every year we looked forward to the annual recital. Our favorite recital was Golden Ticket where she was cast as Charlie. It was so memorable watching her growth at the studio. It was her second home. We made life long friends here. Her fellow dancers and amazing instructors were pivotal in encouraging each other's dreams. We also cherished the times when her father Steve performed along side of her in The Nutcracker production. How many fathers can have that wonderful memory of bonding with their daughter? It was such a unique experience. As a family we had a great time helping backstage, working on costume prep and assisting behind the scenes. We shared a lot of laughs with the Encore family. Calista received excellent training and was accepted to a performing arts high school and is double majoring in dance/public health at UCI. Encore is where it all started. Congratulations Bonnie on another successful Encore year! Keep dancing! Thank you!
Patti Alspaugh
My daughter Bella has been dancing at Encore since she was just 3 years old. It's incredible to think that it's been almost 14 years! She had the privilege of being in the last group to have the wonderful Miss Bonnie as their tap teacher. What a priceless gift that was! Encore has truly been like a second family to us. We've had the joy of watching Bella blossom into the beautiful and talented dancer she is today, thanks to the unwavering dedication, exceptional training, and expert technique imparted by the Encore instructors and staff. Each member of the team genuinely cares about the well-being and development of every dancer. Bella has had the opportunity to train in an array of dance styles—ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, contemporary, and lyrical. One of my most cherished memories is Bella's performance as the Rose Queen in last year’s Nutcracker. It was a dream come true, a moment made all the more special by the years of hard work and dedication leading up to it. Outside the studio, her training has been equally impactful, enabling her to make the Varsity Song and D Street Dance Team as a freshman. As our time at the studio draws to a close, the lessons Bella has learned—hard work, perseverance, dedication, and commitment—will stay with her for a lifetime.
Meredith Cahalan-Casillas
As a parent, I couldn't be happier with the experience my daughters, Zoey and Avery, have had at Encore Dance Centre. Zoey has been at Encore since she was 2, so 11 years, and our youngest just started her dance journey 2 years ago. Not only has Zoey learned valuable dance skills, but she has also gained confidence, discipline, and a sense of belonging. The instructors are not just teachers; they're mentors who genuinely care about the growth and well-being of each student. The instructors are not only incredibly talented, but also passionate about what they do, which makes each class, for my daughters, enjoyable and inspiring. I've seen both my children blossom into a more self-assured and expressive individual since joining the studio, especially my oldest. Additionally, the performances and recitals are always a joy to watch, as they showcase the hard work and dedication of both the students and the staff. Thank you, Encore Dance Centre, for helping my daughters grow not only as dancers, but also as individuals.
Shelby Baldwin
I had the pleasure of training at EDC for 15 years. Not only did my time there teach me proper dance technique, but I also made lasting friendships, honed important life skills, and discovered my professional career. The top instructors available to me taught me correct technique and body awareness. I have been fortunate enough to understand and listen to my body to avoid injury while I dance and prolong my dance career. I was taught to dance healthy and only perform something that has been correctly taught to me. At the same time, my instructors pushed me to do my best and consistently raise the bar. EDC taught me discipline, leadership, integrity, and creativity. The caliber of performances that EDC puts on inspired me to do the same. I continue to perform professionally; acting, singing, dancing, and performing live shows. EDC is a one of a kind studio unlike any other and I am so blessed to have called it home.
Tish Robles
I started dancing at Encore Dance Centre at age 3, I danced there for about 8 years. It was the beginning of my core childhood memories. Ms. Bonnie was my first dance teacher and taught me my first tap dance “Baby Take a Bow”. She introduced a whole new world to me that opened doors for me later in life. Encore has given me lifetime friends and we share so many memories of our time at the studio. From spending at least 4 days a week at the studio, walking to the doughnut store, or getting ice cream at Thrifty’s, or going next door to peak at the karate place and the clay place. I remember my mom watching me practice through those glass doors and windows and when it was time for costume revealing they would hang a poster board up on the windows and I remember feeling the excitement of what my costume was going to be! This studio gave me a community and has taught me independence and confidence. My daughters now dance here, and I see them thrive into beautiful performers. Congratulations on 40 years Ms. Bonnie and thank you for all memories.
Mary Chakbazof
We have been a part of the Encore family since 2010 and it has been the most amazing time! Our girls have grown up at Encore and have learned so much about dance from their teachers all while making the best friendships. From starting in Miss Bonnie’s combo classes to taking every style and every class, getting to see Nicole, Noelle, and Joelle’s moments sharing the stage together doing what they love is the best! We have loved every moment at Encore and are so grateful for it all!
Jessica Pieroth
Our family’s journey with Encore began over 30 years ago when I joined the studio. I have so many fond memories of my performances, my teachers and especially Bonnie. Encore instilled a love of dance in me that has carried on throughout my life and now my daughter Reese. She has been dancing at Encore for almost 10 years and it has become her home away from home. What’s most impressive to me is that they’ve consistently had the best teachers and incredible shows that are like no other while maintaining a sense of family and belonging. Congratulations to the Copeland’s for an incredible 40 years of success! We’re grateful to be a part of the Encore family.