In 1976, Joanne opened The Dance Center. It was the first “Family Center” for dance in Newton. Joanne combined her dance and choreography background to design a program that offers solid training, artistry, performing opportunities and fun to a wide range of students. She taught Ballet and Jazz technique at all levels and holds the Teacher’s Advanced Professional Certificate from The Dance Teacher’s Association of Boston affiliated with the American Society. Joanne is a recipient of the Elsa H. Kemp Memorial Award in teaching.
“Commendation to Joanne Langione for her 42 years of teaching dance in the City of Newton. In recognition of the creativity and dedication Joanne Langione has brought to the teaching of dance in Newton and beyond. She has given the gift of dance to people of all ages – from 6 months old babies to adults, at her West Newton studio. Joanne has inspired students to be their best, teaching them to become more self-confident, creative and physically fit. She has been a role model to so many with her business professionalism, leadership and community service.
On behalf of the residents of the City of Newton, it is only fitting and proper that I, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, recognize Joanne Langione for her extraordinary years of dance education and applaud her continuing efforts to improve the lives of her students.”
Presented by Linda R. Plaut, Director of
the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
and JLDC Alum and professional
dancer Shawn Mahoney.
Joanne Langione is a graduate of Regis College with a degree in French Literature. While studying at University-Paris-Sorbonne as a Rotary International Fellow, Joanne’s dance credits include performance with Peter Goss Compagnie de Danse and The Matt Mattox JazzArt Company. She concentrated her studies in dance, choreography, and theatre in NYC, training with legendary dance teachers David Howard, Finis Jung, Lynn Simonson and Luigi. Returning to Boston, Joanne danced with American Dance Repertory Theatre, and The Becky Arnold Dance Co, at Tufts University. Joanne has choreographed productions for the Newton Country Players Theatre Company, The Arlington Players, Boston Lyric Opera, and pieces for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Institute of Contemporary Dance. JLDC has been Joanne’s “home” for the past 46+ years.
Shawn Mahoney began his ballet, tap, and jazz training at the Joanne Langione Dance Center and his early performing career with Jose Mateo’s Ballet Theatre in Boston, MA. As an apprentice, Shawn danced for American Ballet Theatre before joining Boston Ballet. At Boston Ballet, Shawn performed in Petipa, Balanchine, Kylian, Forsythe, Bejart and others. Shawn performed as a chosen member of “Tharp!”, a national and international touring company directed by Twyla Tharp. Ms. Tharp invited Shawn to be part of the creative and choreographic process for her Broadway hit “Movin’ Out” and performed in Tharp’s “Red, White, and Blues”. Shawn performed with the Suzanne Farrell/Balanchine Project, Sean Curran Company, Washington Ballet, and Bale Estado de Goias. As an educator, Shawn has taught internationally for Festa de Danca in Sao Paulo and Bermuda Civic Ballet. Currently, Shawn is on faculty at Emerson College, instructing dance classes to actors and musical theatre students and is a teacher and lecturer at Days in the Arts. Shawn founded Mahoney Agency, representing dancers for national engagements for the Nutcracker Ballet. Shawn is a sought out mentor for emerging artists and choreographers in ballet and contemporary dance.