Happy 100th Birthday to Miss Olive!

Join us as we celebrate Miss Olive turning 100 years old today!

It was Miss Olive's mother, Mary Manuel Mitchell, who started Mitchell's Dance Studio in the parlor of their home in 1932. Miss Olive, along with her brother Alvin Mitchell, performed along side their mother and the Manuel's Black and White Orchestra (the family band) for the greater part of their childhood and into their adult years. Although, she prefers to be behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight, her presence is known and seen through out a Mitchell's Dance Studio Follies show. Whether it is adding sequins and fringe to a costume, spray painting tap shoes the night before a show or making countless props and scenery, Miss Olive's talents and show (wo)manship has been an integral part of our Studio's history. It is truly her expertise and advice that continues to lead the Studio into the future, and for that we could not be more grateful. 

Miss Olive also worked alongside her mother as a preschool teacher at Mitchell's Rhythm Nursery which began in the 1940's. Many Beverly children attended the preschool/kindergarten as well as took dance lessons from Miss Mary, Al and Olive. The family started a camp in the summer of 1945 at their family home in Essex, MA with three kids and a dog spending the summer with them. This camp later moved to Beverly in the 1980's where it ran until the summer of 2014. Miss Olive showed up before any of the campers to ensure the bathrooms were clean, the paper goods were stocked and burned incense on the stove to keep those "ghosts of the Manor" at bay! 

As the matriarch of the Mitchell's Dance Studio family, we celebrate all of her accomplishments both past, present and those yet to come. We can not thank her enough for her constant wisdom, support and genuine love.

Per her request, there will be no big celebration or party.  However, if you wish to send her a card, we will collect them at the Studio all week. You can also mail it to us: Mitchell's Dance Studio, 27 Chapman St, Beverly, MA, 01915. 

Here's to 100 more wonderful years from the heart and soul of our Studio!