Almost three weeks ago, on a beautiful Friday evening in East Patchogue, staff, students, and their parents gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Encore Dance Academy.

Before attendees went inside, there was a quick ribbon-cutting ceremony. Owner Kelly Komorowski did the honors while surrounded by fellow choreographers and staff members.

The grand opening was fun for all, with sweet treats and other food for attendees to enjoy while they explored the three new studios. The studios offered activities such as coloring pages and face painting. Parents were particularly pleased with having two bathrooms in the hallway, a small but significant addition for a children-filled environment.

Twenty-three years ago, at 21, Komorowski opened the first Encore Dance Academy in Kings Park. Initially, 275 children enrolled. In 2010, the Kings Park branch moved to a bigger space, and in 2015, she had the opportunity to open a second location in Holbrook.

After hearing about a vacancy in East Patchogue, Komorowski decided to tour the building, which was once a dance studio. She immediately fell in love with the location and the Patchogue community, and that was when she decided to open Encore’s third location.

“We’re excited to touch the hearts of more kids and include them in our family,” Komorowski said.

As the owner and a choreographer, she enjoys seeing her students’ love for dance shine on stage.

“We get to watch them grow from babies until they graduate high school, and that’s the best job,” she added.

To parents looking to sign their kids up for dance classes, Komorowski said, “It’s 100 percent worth it. Just the confidence alone is something that they will use throughout their entire lives. They will gain confidence, self-esteem, and the ability to talk in front of people and act and be great people throughout their whole lives.”

For more information about Encore Dance Academy and the classes they offer, visit encoredanceacademy.com