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Jason Douglas almost went to college on a soccer scholarship. Instead, he chose to continue the family business. Now that leap of faith has resulted in DanceAdelphia, 1100 Snyder Ave., earning top plaudits for ballet program.
Douglas sets out to teach a basic ballet foundation that could be taken to the next level if desired.
“That’s my strength — that we can teach a basic ballet and that’s where I stop,” he said of the program that molds students ages 3 to mid-20s and has included multiple generations. “It’s a good foundation to get you through any kind of dance.”
His students have taken various paths, with some coming back from time to time to take a class. One of his former students, a dancer in Las Vegas, needed a pep talk from her former teacher recently.
“It was such a joy to talk to her for 15 minutes and give her some good advice,” he said.
His current students are very inspired to succeed, constantly coming in early and staying after class to practice. Douglas is forced to start pushing them out of the door sometimes in order to close the studio when it nears 11 p.m.
“I can’t buy that, and that’s one of the reasons I don’t leave. It keeps me here. Why would I leave something so good to pursue something I’m not sure about?” he said referencing his own career, which included declining a spot in the Broadway musical “Cats” to stay close to his Lower Moyamensing studio.
Joanna Studio of Dance pliéd in second position while Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School and The Rock School for Dance Education balanced in third position.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
2014 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Steak ‘Em Up French fries
Philip’s Steaks and Geno’s Steaks (tie) Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies Hoagie
Lil Nick’s Deli Specialty sandwich
City Pizza Pizza crust
Green Eggs Cafe Brunch menu
Penrose Diner Omelet selection/Diner
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant Date night/BYOB
Ristorante Pesto Italian restaurant
Johnny Chang’s Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Breezy’s Café New restaurant (January 2013 to present)
Stogie Joe’s Tavern Bar menu
Nick Elmi Top chef
Sweet Tooth
Isgro Pastries Cannoli/Bakery
Pop’s Water Ice Gelati
Potito’s Cupcakes
Termini Bros Cookies
People
Jason Douglas DJ
The Business Local band
Bobby Rydell South Philly celebrity
Dana Smith Elementary school teacher
Vikings Mummers Brigade
Carl Arrigale High school coach
Neumann-Goretti High school team
Bryan Hughes Youth/recreation league coach
Nick Foles Philly pro athlete
Places
DiBruno Bros. Italian specialty store
Galdo’s Catering Hall
Ten Pennies Florist
Monti Rago Funeral Home, Inc., Funeral home
Packer Park Neighborhood
Epiphany of Our Lord Church Church
Lombardi’s Prime Meats Butcher shop
TLA Music venue
On the Move
Planet Fitness Gym/health club
DanceAdelphia Ballet program
Barry Playground Community pool
Fitness Works Place to take a Pilates class
And Let’s Not Forget
Bartender Category not on this list
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