After 30 years in business, Klein Dance Inc. officially will close its doors.
Well, sort of.

Although the Lake Worth dance company no longer exists in name, the programs it offers will remain alive as part of Palm Beach Atlantic University’s School of Music and Fine Arts’ Preparatory Department.
“Closing the school makes perfect sense in this economy,” says Kathleen Klein, the company’s executive director. “This is a wonderful opportunity to move on to something different.”

Same instruction, new classes
Starting June 8, not only will PBAU offer students ages 3-18 the same dance instruction that was available at Klein’s downtown studio on Lake Avenue, but it will also have new classes on everything from classical ballet to modern dance to tap.

“We never had the luxury of having a dance fundamentals class, but now we do,” says Klein, PBAU’s director of dance for 10 years. “We have the luxury of more teachers and we have no overhead or rent to pay at Palm Beach Atlantic.” (Her ex-husband, choreographer Demetrius Klein, is no longer involved with the company.)

Monthly rent at Klein Dance was $2,000, Klein says. Additional expenses — telephone, FPL — ran about $1,800. That money can now be used to hire more teachers — the new program will feature seven fall instructors, up from four at Klein — and offer additional classes.

Klein anticipates enrollment will more than double come fall. Last year about 100 students were enrolled by August. This year Klein expects more than 250.

“We’ll have to put the others on a waiting list,” she says.

Although Klein admits she will miss the old school, she’s excited about the company’s new chapter.
“When you close one door, you open another window,” she says. “This is an amazing opportunity for us.”