By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – Local dance instructor Ceil Sharon presented her final recital June 23 at the Middle School. Sharon's many present and former students, from ages 3 to 83, joined the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Ceil Sharon School of Dance. She thanked her students, staff, parents, family and all the people who made the past year and the last 40 years memorable.
“It couldn's have happened without your support,” she said in a special message in the program book.
Her studio has closed, but she will continue to teach Zumba gold and line dancing in area senior centers.
Born in Marlborough, she studied with local dance legend Anna Walker and became manager of Walker's studio for five years. Prior to opening her own studio in 1972, Sharon studied with the Boston Ballet and with numerous teachers in New England and New York City. She choreographed community theater musicals in Marlborough, Hudson, Southborough, Sudbury, Shrewsbury, Westborough and Oxford, and for the Worcester County Light Opera. She especially enjoyed working on presenting Broadway musicals with local high schools for over two decades.
Through the years she helped many local clubs and churches produce musical shows, including the Marlborough Rotary Club, Immaculate Conception Church and Wellesley Methodist Church. John Noble, who directed several Rotary shows, admired how well Sharon worked with the performers.
“When we were producing Rotary shows, Ceil was always there helping our members dance even when they didn's know they could,” Noble said. “She had a special talent for getting the most out of people who were enthusiastic but didn's consider themselves talented.”
Devoted student, friend and staff member Kim Ferrecchia-Rivas expressed her sentiments in a special message in the program book, titled “What You Have Meant to Me.” It states: “As a young girl beginning my first activity of dance, nearly 35 years ago, you were the face that greeted me at my first class. Over the years of being mentored by you as an instructor, you provided me, and I know many girls, a place of reprieve from our busy and sometimes challenging lives. I want you to know how strongly you influenced my life as a young girl, growing into a young woman, by not only teaching me through dance instruction but also by being the positive female role model who was a constant in my life. I have been blessed, privileged and honored to have known you.”
Mayor Arthur Vigeant expressed appreciation to Sharon for all the time she devoted to the city of Marlborough.
“The students and patrons who you taught, including two of my sisters, have been fortunate to have had such an inspiring instructor who studied with Anna Walker, the Boston Ballet and who was entrenched with many musical affiliations.”
He also thanked her for the time she spent on the Cultural Affairs Committee, performance work with the annual Labor Day Festival and dance lessons at the Senior Center.
“You have enriched the lives of countless people and opened up their eyes to new experiences,” he said.
