It’s a family affair at Legends Academy of the Performing Arts in Cambridge.
For husband-and-wife team, Jade and Matt Pinkerton, the legend continues after taking over Meyerhofer Academy of the Performing Arts with it longstanding legacy in Waterloo Region for over 35 years.
What began as a family business, with two generations coming together, to create one of the most successful local dance studios, long-time owner, Lisa Meyerhofer, officially passed the torch to the third generation in September.
Her daughter Jade and son-in-law Matt Pinkerton have transformed the space and brand to ‘Legends Academy of Performing Arts’.
The newly renovated studio will build on the legacy of the past three decades. But Jade and Matt are excited to bring their professional experience and offer students a family-centred, inclusive studio where dancers of all levels are welcome.
“We are fully inclusive. Anyone and everyone are welcome, no matter who you are, young or old,” Jade said.
“We bring something new to the table. There is no other studio in Cambridge that is run by two professional dancers. We are a husband-and-wife team, and that is very unique."
Jade has had a long history with the studio since she was first able to walk.
“My grandmother Wilma, and my mom, ran Meyerhofer Academy of the Performing Arts for many years,” Jade said. “My grampa Alf, used to do all the maintenance here. He’s not with us anymore. I grew up here, at the studio, with my grandparents. It really has been a family affair over the years."
And today, Jade’s mother Lisa, still comes in to help out at the studio, whenever she can.
“She is so happy to have this continue in the family,” Jade said.
After graduating from Randolph College for the Performing Arts, Jade embarked on a very successful career as a professional dancer, actor and singer. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Matt Pinkerton, also a professional performing artist and dancer.
In 2020, Jade and Matt were full-time performers on Carnival Cruise Lines when the pandemic abruptly brought their residency to an end.
That is when they made the decision to head back to Cambridge where they could help run her mother’s studio classes.
“So, we thought well, one of our big dreams is to open our own studio. My mom was getting older, and with the introduction of online classes and Zoom, we stepped in,” Jade said. “It all just happened organically. We thought ok, this must be the universe giving us the sign saying, it’s time.”
Matt said that there has always been a feeling of love and care found at the studio.
“We could have gone somewhere else, but for us, this place has always been a place of family,” Matt said. “That’s our biggest focus, is to create that atmosphere, a second home, especially after the last few years. Kids really need a space where they can just let loose and communicate with others.”
When it comes to dance, the couple is very versatile, and both Jade and Matt have trained and teach all styles.
Legends Academy of the Performing Arts offers a wide range of traditional dance styles, including ballet, jazz and tap, as well as some unique classes such as "Acro Hip Hop Mixtape" and "Dancin' BOYZ" for two-six-year-olds, as well as "Tik Hop" for teens looking to improve their TikTok steps.
“I teach tap, and my oldest student is about 72, and she kills it. She’s amazing. And last night we had the two-year-old’s here, which is why you might find some glitter left behind on the floor,” Matt said.
And the Tic Hop class, is also a hit with teens.
“We incorporate the new Tic Toc stuff coming in with cool dances and the kids just love it. Teenagers are right in it,” Matt said.
“It’s that combination. We want to bring in that feeling that you can enjoy it on top of just swiping through it. You can actually get up and do it and have fun doing it together as a group.”
As well as recreational dance programming, Legends Academy also offers a Company program for competitive dancers in a professional training atmosphere.
“The goal is for students to be as versatile as possible. In any dance situation, they will be ready to go, so we are preparing them for anything,” Jade said.
“They learn a variety of styles and are at the studio more because they at a competitive level. They need to train certain number of hours every week, so the expectations are higher. They will be getting marked and critiqued, so we prepare them for that. But it also has that same fun vibe.”
Matt said Legends Academy is not just about becoming a professional dancer.
“Our focus is on all of the life lessons kids learn as well as having fun and being able to express yourself," Matt said.
For Jade, it's about being able to provide students with the same opportunities she had growing up.
“We both grew up in the dance studio. There are so many memories and if someone else wants to get there and become a professional dancer, we will do our best to help them get there,” she said.
The young couple has received much support before unveiling the newly renovated space.
"People just showed up, brought food, and wanted to help,” Matt said. “It really is one big family.”
Jade said she is thrilled that her grandmother has been a big part of the transformation.
“When our sign came up, she was there. It was so special. She said, “you’re grandpa would be so proud."
“The hope is just to bring the joy of dance to everybody. What you get out of dance, you just can’t get from anything else.”
For more information about Legends Academy of the Performing Arts, visit here.
