DANCING FOR OVER 55 YEARS
The Children's Dance Workshop was founded by Elizabeth Thomson Carpenter in 1970. Originally located on Davis Street in Oakville, our studio made its home there for the first 20+ years. In the early 1990s, we moved to our current location in Westbury Plaza on Main Street in Watertown. Then in the early 2000s, we moved a little ways down the road. But in the Spring of 2010 the opportunity arose to move back to Westbury Plaza where we proudly still call home today.
In 2020, after 50 years of dedicated ownership, Miss Liz passed down the torch to her faithful assistant and friend, Lisa Hamel Rein. Throughout our 55 year history, one thing has remained constant- our unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality dance education to the Watertown community and surrounding areas. We pride ourselves in creating a family atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed, loved, and supported.
We invite you to
"Come Dance With Us" and be a part of our story.
The Children's Dance Workshop was founded by Elizabeth Thomson Carpenter in 1970. Originally located on Davis Street in Oakville, our studio made its home there for the first 20+ years. In the early 1990s, we moved to our current location in Westbury Plaza on Main Street in Watertown. Then in the early 2000s, we moved a little ways down the road. But in the Spring of 2010 the opportunity arose to move back to Westbury Plaza where we proudly still call home today.
In 2020, after 50 years of dedicated ownership, Miss Liz passed down the torch to her faithful assistant and friend, Lisa Hamel Rein. Throughout our 55 year history, one thing has remained constant- our unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality dance education to the Watertown community and surrounding areas. We pride ourselves in creating a family atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed, loved, and supported.
We invite you to
"Come Dance With Us" and be a part of our story.
MEET MISS LISA
Lisa Hamel Rein has been a part of The Children's Dance Workshop since the age of 3, when she began her dance training with Miss Liz at the original Davis Street studio. From a very young age, it was clear that she had an immense passion for the art of dance. She continued her training throughout her childhood and teenage years. She was a class helper and assistant and eventually began teaching on her own which is when she discovered her true passion.
Miss Lisa has also been very active in local theatre. Throughout her 4 years of high school she participated in her school's theatre program and served as the Dance Captain for the spring musical for 3 out of her 4 years. As a senior in high school, she got the opportunity to do the choreography for a middle school show and from there her and her best friend began a youth community theatre company where she served as the Choreographer for 10 years.
Miss Lisa held the role of CDW's Assistant Director beginning in 2008 up until 2020 when she took over the reins as the new Artistic Director & Owner of the studio. She loves honoring the history and legacy of CDW while also adding her own flair and starting new traditions with her dancers.
Miss Lisa holds membership with the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts and enjoys attending workshops & conventions to further her training. She has attended The Dance Teacher Web Conference & Expo in Las Vegas and Tremaine Dance Conventions in NYC.
Outside of CDW, Miss Lisa also worked as a toddler/preschool teacher for 5 years and also served as Dance Director at the former Girls Incorporated of Waterbury. She loves working with children and treats each and every child like one of her own.
Miss Lisa has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from the University of Connecticut and lives in Watertown with her husband Ken and their 4 year old twins. She loves watching her daughter fall in love with dance as she begins her own dance journey at CDW! When she's not at the studio, Miss Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, going to the beach, going on walks, and going out to dinner.
She can't wait to meet you and help you discover your home at CDW!
Lisa Hamel Rein has been a part of The Children's Dance Workshop since the age of 3, when she began her dance training with Miss Liz at the original Davis Street studio. From a very young age, it was clear that she had an immense passion for the art of dance. She continued her training throughout her childhood and teenage years. She was a class helper and assistant and eventually began teaching on her own which is when she discovered her true passion.
Miss Lisa has also been very active in local theatre. Throughout her 4 years of high school she participated in her school's theatre program and served as the Dance Captain for the spring musical for 3 out of her 4 years. As a senior in high school, she got the opportunity to do the choreography for a middle school show and from there her and her best friend began a youth community theatre company where she served as the Choreographer for 10 years.
Miss Lisa held the role of CDW's Assistant Director beginning in 2008 up until 2020 when she took over the reins as the new Artistic Director & Owner of the studio. She loves honoring the history and legacy of CDW while also adding her own flair and starting new traditions with her dancers.
Miss Lisa holds membership with the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Arts and enjoys attending workshops & conventions to further her training. She has attended The Dance Teacher Web Conference & Expo in Las Vegas and Tremaine Dance Conventions in NYC.
Outside of CDW, Miss Lisa also worked as a toddler/preschool teacher for 5 years and also served as Dance Director at the former Girls Incorporated of Waterbury. She loves working with children and treats each and every child like one of her own.
Miss Lisa has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from the University of Connecticut and lives in Watertown with her husband Ken and their 4 year old twins. She loves watching her daughter fall in love with dance as she begins her own dance journey at CDW! When she's not at the studio, Miss Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, going to the beach, going on walks, and going out to dinner.
She can't wait to meet you and help you discover your home at CDW!
MEET MISS LIZ
Elizabeth Thomson Carpenter founded the Children’s Dance Workshop in 1970 and served as Artistic Director & Owner for 50 years!
Her early dance training began in her homeland of Scotland, where she was a World Champion Highland dancer for the West Coast. Once she emigrated to the United States, she continued her dance education and has attended numerous conventions & workshops across the country studying with top professionals such as Joe Tremaine, Debbie Allen, and Al Gilbert. She holds certification from Dance Masters of America.
She worked for the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” and also had a 30 year career as a CNA working in convalescent hospitals, while also running the dance studio and raising her son.
She is a world traveler, a Hallmark movie lover, a Grandmother, and one of the most generous souls you will ever meet.
Throughout her 50 years as Director, she has instructed thousands of students and has made countless lifelong friendships. In 2020, she made the decision to hand down the torch and pass on ownership to Miss Lisa, whom she mentored for close to 30 years. Despite taking a step back, she is still very much a part of the studio. She teaches classes every Saturday morning and loves watching the next generation of CDW dancers grow and find their home at the studio.
Elizabeth Thomson Carpenter founded the Children’s Dance Workshop in 1970 and served as Artistic Director & Owner for 50 years!
Her early dance training began in her homeland of Scotland, where she was a World Champion Highland dancer for the West Coast. Once she emigrated to the United States, she continued her dance education and has attended numerous conventions & workshops across the country studying with top professionals such as Joe Tremaine, Debbie Allen, and Al Gilbert. She holds certification from Dance Masters of America.
She worked for the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” and also had a 30 year career as a CNA working in convalescent hospitals, while also running the dance studio and raising her son.
She is a world traveler, a Hallmark movie lover, a Grandmother, and one of the most generous souls you will ever meet.
Throughout her 50 years as Director, she has instructed thousands of students and has made countless lifelong friendships. In 2020, she made the decision to hand down the torch and pass on ownership to Miss Lisa, whom she mentored for close to 30 years. Despite taking a step back, she is still very much a part of the studio. She teaches classes every Saturday morning and loves watching the next generation of CDW dancers grow and find their home at the studio.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You have questions, and we have answers! If you can't find the information you're looking for here, please be sure to contact us and we're happy to help.
How much do classes cost?
Tuition is broken down into 9 monthly payments form September - May. Please contact us for specific class pricing.
Please note that shoes, costume costs, and competition costs are additional.
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept payment in:
- Cash
- Checks made payable to Children's Dance Workshop LLC
- Credit/debit card, either in-person or via PayPal. Click here to pay via PayPal.
- Venmo: @cdwct
Do you offer a family/sibling discount?
Yes, we offer sibling discounts. Please let us know if you'll be signing up more than one dancer.
What do I wear to class?
No street clothes are permitted in class (with the exception of Hip Hop classes).
Students are expected to come to class in proper dance attire. Proper dance attire includes leotards or dance t-shirts with tight-fitted dance shorts or leggings.
Absolutely no baggy clothing will be permitted in class. No sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc. No dangling or distractive jewelry.
Please make sure your dancer wears tights or socks to prevent blisters. Please follow any specific attire requirements given for your class.
All dance shoes are ordered through the studio. The brand of dance shoes that we use is not sold in stores; it is only sold through partnership with dance studios and therefore the prices are much more reasonable. All students must have identical shoes, therefore it is required that you buy your dance shoes through us.
If you are a brand new student or are switching to a different style of shoe, please allow Miss Lisa to measure you before ordering. Once you have your size measurement, simply click here and place your order. All orders are shipped to the studio.
Do I have to be in the recital?
Our annual recital is held every June and it is a big event for our dancers. Participation in the recital is optional, but encouraged. Please let us know at the time of enrollment if your dancer will not be taking part in the show.
RECITAL INFORMATION
Our annual recital is typically held the third Saturday in June. All classes participate and perform in the show. We hold a closed rehearsal for performers only in the morning and then the show is at night. Tickets go on sale around 2 weeks prior to the show. Each family pays a mandatory recital fee which includes one recital t-shirt, a professionally recorded USB video of the entire show, professional action shot photos of every routine, and one FREE recital ticket.
All students who perform in the recital must order costumes. Costume bills will be handed out no later than the first full week of October. We like to give families between 6-8 weeks to make costume payments. We also offer a fundraiser that can be used to help pay costume expenses. Costume bills are typically due at the end of November. Costumes are non-refundable and non-returnable.
