Dear Solstice Families,

 

So this is goodbye.

 

I can hardly believe I’m writing these words. After eleven incredible seasons, our final show has come and gone. And what a show it was—honestly, the best one yet. The energy, the love, the power of your dancers on that stage… I will carry it with me always.

 

What most of you don’t know is that last night wasn’t just the end of our season. Some dancers knew this was my final season teaching, and that last night was my final show, that I'm now stepping away from dance, and that I had encouraged them to continue dancing elsewhere next year. But what they didn't know... is that the Solstice doors are now officially closed. 

 

I want to acknowledge how hard it was to keep this news to myself. Not sharing it sooner was one of the most difficult parts of this entire decision. But I knew that if I opened that door too early, the final weeks of our season would become emotional and heavy—for me, for the dancers, and for all of you. I wanted their last memories here to be full of light, laughter, and love. And I needed space to hold it all quietly before I was ready to let go. I hope you understand. It was extremely difficult. 

 

This is a decision I did not take lightly. It has been sitting with me for a long time, and it’s one that has come with many tears and deep reflection. I held it close until now because I wanted to finish this season with joy, not sadness. I didn’t want your dancers burdened with goodbyes before they had the chance to finish strong. I didn’t want constant questions or emotional goodbyes at every turn. I just wanted us to dance all the way to the end. And we did. Beautifully.

 

Now, I’m moving into a new and very different chapter of my life—one filled with travel and adventure alongside my partner. Together, we’re setting off to explore the world and check off his big, beautiful bucket list. It’s time for something new, and though this goodbye is bittersweet, I know in my heart it’s the right moment to move forward.

 

Solstice has been more than a studio. It has been a home. A community. A family.

 

Watching your children dance, grow, struggle, succeed, laugh, cry, and find joy through movement has been one of the greatest honor's of my life. They got to live their dream—and I got to live mine too.

 

To every parent who believed in me and stood beside me—thank you. Thank you for your trust, your support, your time, your kindness. Because of you, I got to create something rare and beautiful. Because of you, Solstice became what it was.

 

To every teacher who ever taught at Solstice—thank you. Your time, energy, creativity, and love helped shape this studio into the beautiful place it became. You inspired our dancers and helped them grow in ways beyond just technique.

 

As I step away, I want to strongly encourage all Solstice families to continue dancing just across the street at Studio North Dance Academy. It’s owned by the wonderful Jen Soo. Their teachers are warm, talented, and dedicated. It’s a nurturing, professional, and is an inspiring space they create as a team.

 

Studio North also has a sister location in Port Alberni, produces a stunning winter Nutcracker production, and participates in Unity—a powerful annual event that brings dancers from all over the island together. It’s a truly special place, and I sincerely hope your dancer finds a new home there.

 

You can learn more here:

 https://www.riverportdanceworks.com/contact

 

This goodbye is emotional, but it’s also overflowing with gratitude—for every hug, every rehearsal, every moment of magic we created together. The friendships, the laughter, the tears, the growth, the sparkle on stage… I will miss it all more than I can say.

 

Thank you for dancing with me. For trusting me. For sharing your children, your hearts, and your lives with me. This has been the honor of a lifetime.

 

Keep dancing.

Keep believing.

 

With all my love,

Mrs. Jenny

Solstice Studio