Disney....Like a Boss!
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Read the Article in the Whitman-Hanson Express
Forty-four dancers and their families from Boss Academy of Performing Arts in Hanson traveled to Orlando to perform at Walt Disney World Resort in June. The performing arts students were invited to showcase their talent at the Theater of the Stars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The stage is home to the live Disney show “Beauty and the Beast” and Boss Academy was one of only three groups invited to perform there this year.
Opening with their platinum award winning number “Hot”, the students ages 7 – 18 performed a forty-five minute production - “Fire and Ice” - featuring original choreography by studio director KathyJo Boss and her creative team, as well as two vocal performances.
“Our students work so hard all year in their dance, acting and voice classes. It was wonderful to see it all come together on a professional stage in such a special place. Our Boss family made lifelong memories at Walt Disney World and I am so proud of their dedication to making it happen,” said KathyJo.
Wearing their “Disney…Like a Boss” shirts, the performers were treated to a surprise appearance by Mickey Mouse. “It was really amazing to see our kids on stage with Mickey Mouse – it was a dream come true for my daughter!” said Brenda Burt of Hanson, whose daughter Shannon has been performing at Boss for 8 years. “I’m so grateful to KathyJo for making that dream a reality.”
Following their performance, students, family and friends dined in EPCOT at the water’s edge of World Showcase Lagoon, where they had front row seats to the fireworks and laser show “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.”
After opening a brand new state-of-the-art studio last summer, Boss Academy is set to start it’s 14th season in Hanson. Since 2002, Boss has trained students the highest level of performing arts instruction. Classes in dance, acting, voice, musical theatre and tumbling create the foundation for actual careers in stage, television and film, where many Boss alumni now work.
“Whether my students go on to perform on Broadway or work in the industry like I did, or just want to gain confidence and maintain a healthy lifestyle, I look forward to personally guiding them to wherever they want their dreams to take them,” said KathyJo.
“The confidence and growth I see in my daughters since they came to Boss Academy is just amazing,” said Beth O’Connor, whose two daughters performed at Walt Disney World. “Watching them sing and dance on that stage was a very special night that will remain in our hearts for a long, long time.”
KathyJo Boss is an alumnus of New York University and has over 40 years of performance education and experience. Appearing on Broadway, television and in film, some of her credits include Cabaret and the Tony Awards. KathyJo has worked with celebrities like Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Martin Short, and George Carlin. She is married to State Representative Geoffrey Diehl and they live in Whitman with their two daughters, Kaylee and Emily.