About Annmarie
My name is Annmarie Garganes Durnin. I am loyal friend, daughter, wife and mom of two beautiful daughters. On February 19, 2019, my six-year old was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes. This was a huge change for our family, but it inspired me to follow my dreams and not wait any longer. I always wanted to own a small studio, focusing on private to semi-private professional tap instruction for all ages along creative movement/ballet and introduction into Jazz/HipHop for young children.
Having years of teaching experience, made me realize that not every family is ready to commit to a full season of dance along with costumes and a show. That is why I started Feel The Beat Dance. There will be no dance recital just me and selected faculty sharing professional experience and talent with children who want to learn and have fun! Adults classes too!
I chose the name Feel The Beat Dance, because when we listen to music we all “Feel The Beat” no matter what physically is going on. With that in mind, I also decided to focus part of my time offering dance therapy classes for T1D kiddos so they meet other T1D friends and families. It makes a difference to know you are not alone. We are all on this journey together. I am currently providing Tuition Free Scholarships for all T1D Tappers!
I have experience in teaching all dance types, but tap has always been my forte. Teaching dance makes me feel alive and happy! Dance overall is therapeutic and helps confidence and self-esteem levels at all age levels. I look forward to sharing my talent with each and everyone of your children!
Annmarie's dance experience started at a young age of four. She is an original One Broadway Alumna, who not only studied Tap, Jazz and Ballet under Nancy Watson (original founder of One Broadway), Wendy Watson and Bethe Nardis but also was a Scholarship Recipient from 1988 to 1993. She taught tap at One Broadway, in 1992 and 1993 and from 2009 until 2016. From 2014 to 2016, she choreographed tap for the competition team with many awards, including top choreographer for her piece, "Emergency." Following, she taught Tap from 2018-2020 at Generation Dance.
Annmarie performed in Frank Hatchett’s Showcase in New York City along with Bob McGrath’s Sesame Street Show at Hersheypark prior to attending Penn State University in 1993. She has studied at Broadway Dance Centre New York City, Steps On Broadway and has received instruction from Master Teachers Savion Glover, Henry Le Tang, Germaine Goodson, Judy Bassing and Frank Hatchett. She spent five summers from 1994 through 1998 as a Resident Performer at Hersheypark for New York City based entertainment company, Allen Albert Productions. On television, she was a featured Dancer in 1994 Hersheypark commercial with Jerry Van Dyke, who played Luther, on the ABC television series “Coach” and The Jerry Lewis Telethon. She holds a BS in Marketing from Penn State University. Annmarie resides in her home town of Hershey, PA with her husband and beautiful daughters.