Four decades of grace: Char Brown celebrates 40 years at Island Dance

By PATRICIA DUFF

Special to The Record

In the tapestry of South Whidbey Island’s cultural landscape, few threads are as vibrant and enduring as Island Dance & Gymnastics in Langley, located now at the former Langley Middle School. For four remarkable decades, Charlene “Char” Brown’s vision, grit and passion have transformed a humble studio into a sanctuary of artistry and community — a place where generations have found their rhythm, performance prowess and lifelong friendships.

Since its inception in 1985, Island Dance & Gymnastics has woven itself into the island’s story, shaping not just dancers but dreamers, leaders and families.

The Birth of a Dream

The year was 1985. Brown opened the doors to her Island Dance Studio. Resources were modest — a handful of students, a rented studio and a vision that dance could be an anchor in the lives of young people on the island. What Brown lacked in funding, she made up for in tenacity, warmth and an infectious love for the art of movement.

In those early days, classes were intimate, and the studio was a hive of creativity. Brown would teach ballet, tap and jazz, often cobbling together costumes and props with whatever was at hand. Yet, even then, her commitment to excellence and inclusivity shone through. Students remember her firm corrections, the sparkle in her eye when a young dancer found their confidence, and the way she made every child feel seen.

Amy Lehman started dancing at the studio at age 3. Lehman is now on staff at Island Dance as a teacher and a choreographer.

“I was absolutely terrified of Char at first,” she said, “but then something clicked after about the first year and I’ve loved her ever since.”

After she earned a BFA in modern dance and danced professionally for three seasons, Lehman became a mom and something shifted when she saw how energized her daughter was by dance classes.

“It opened my eyes to the fact that we, as dance teachers, aren’t just giving orders and teaching steps. We’re role models with direct influence into our students’ wellbeing, “ Lehman said. “Each one of my students matters to me, and it’s heartbreaking when they leave the studio. …Char is like that as a teacher — she never makes you feel like you were just there, but that you mattered. She also takes each and every student who leaves personally. It’s not just a business to her, it’s a family.”

Growth Through the Years

As word spread, Island Dance School grew — not just in numbers, but in spirit. The studio moved from its original space into larger quarters to accommodate the swelling ranks of dancers, teachers and visiting artists. Brown welcomed everyone, regardless of experience, background or body type. “Dance is for everyone,” she would often say, and she lives her credo.

By the 1990s, the school was a cornerstone of the community. Recitals and performances of “The Nutcracker” by Whidbey Island Dance Theatre (the nonprofit dance company fed by the dancers training at Island Dance) became beloved local events, drawing crowds to auditoriums and outdoor venues. Brown’s creativity knows no bounds: themed performances have transported audiences from Parisian cafés to enchanted forests, always with meticulous choreography and a signature dash of humor.

Island Dance Studio was never just about dance steps. It’s about building self-esteem, resilience and lifelong friendships. Many students recall Char’s uncanny ability to nurture not just talent, but also heart. She cheers for the shy child who finally takes center stage, mentors budding choreographers and is quick with a hug or a word of encouragement when life outside the studio gets turbulent.

Zane Vanderwood has been teaching hip-hop and tap at Island Dance since 2011. His mom, Susan Vanderwood, has been teaching there longer than he’s been alive. He started classes at age 5.

“Char is the main person I think of when I think of Island Dance,” Vanderwood said. “As a kid taking her classes, I saw what looked like gruffness and directness of personality, but she is remarkably kind and understanding, willing to help people however she can. She’s really been the anchor for the studio and all its teachers. It’s obvious she really cares about everyone there.”

Challenges and Triumphs

Running an arts school on an island came with unique challenges. Resources were limited and access to guest teachers, costumes and competition opportunities required extra ingenuity. Brown has met every obstacle with determination and, often, laughter. Whether wrangling tap shoes from the mainland or orchestrating last-minute rehearsals around ferry schedules, she has never let coordination dampen her spirits.

There were years when funding was scarce, and others when enrollment surged. Through economic downturns, changing demographics, and the rise of new extracurricular activities, Island Dance and Gymnastics has persisted. The community rallied time and again around Brown’s vision, volunteering, fundraising and lending support in ways big and small. She has managed to attract more adult dancers, too, giving them a space to enjoy the community she created with young dancers and a place to focus mentally and physically.

Kelly Ford, who now works as a teacher’s assistant at the studio, auditioned for “The Nutcracker” and was cast 10 years ago, during a difficult period in her life, which impacted her physical health and her mental health. Brown took Ford under her wing and was encouraging and enthusiastic. Ford’s confidence grew and her health improved.

“I became my own person,” Ford said, “Island Dance was a life saver for me and it’s now my family. Char, Jamee and the teachers are a gift to this community.”

One of Brown’s most celebrated qualities is her adaptability. She welcomes change, whether it means embracing new dance styles, integrating technology into classes, or expanding the curriculum to include hip-hop, contemporary and world dance. Her openness has kept the studio relevant and ever-evolving, always a step ahead without losing sight of its foundational values.

Over the years, Island Dance School has become known for much more than its annual recitals. Brown has spearheaded performances at the Island County Fair, Choochokam Arts Festival, Anacortes Tulip Festival, Seattle Tap Festival and more. These outings have exposed students to a broader stage and fostered a spirit of adventure and camaraderie. Her commitment to community outreach extends beyond performance. She has established scholarship programs, offers classes for adults and seniors, and collaborates with local schools to ensure that dance is accessible and inclusive. Her philosophy is clear: dance should uplift, unite and inspire.

Fostering the Next Generation

Many of Brown’s students have become teachers themselves, carrying her lessons forward into new generations. Some have pursued professional careers in dance, gracing stages across the country; others have become educators, artists, and leaders in their communities. Regardless of where life took them, alumni speak of Char’s profound belief in their potential, her exacting standards and her unwavering support. Children who once twirled through Char’s classes now return as parents, enrolling their own children and sharing the magic anew. The studio is a living legacy, shaped as much by those who teach as by those who learn.

Jamee Pitts, Brown’s daughter, is now co-owner of Island Dance with her mom and is also one of its teachers and choreographers. Pitts said some of her favorite memories of her mom are at the studio watching her teach.

“She has this way of commanding a room with so much love and energy, and I remember being in awe of how she connects with her dancers and the selfless care she gives them,” Pitts recalled.

And, although she never thought she would get into the family business, Pitts recalled how when growing up she loved being her mother’s “ little sidekick” for choreography jobs — whether it was creating movement for musicals both locally and abroad or working with the drill team at South Whidbey High School.

Brown’s partnership with her daughter Jamee marks a new era for the school. Together, they blend tradition and innovation, ensuring Island Dance remains a beacon for the community. Their story is one of generational continuity — a mother and daughter shaping a shared dream and guiding it into the future.

Lehman is confident of this mother-daughter team.

“This island is so incredibly lucky to have someone like Charlene, who has kept her studio going through ups and downs. And now with Jamee, it’s in even better shape! I’m so proud to see her partner with her mom and take the studio to the next level. It makes me confident that the studio will be around for another 40 years,” Lehman said.

Legacy and Looking Ahead

Forty years after its founding, Island Dance School stands as a testament to Brown’s vision and perseverance. The studio’s impact is measured not only in pirouettes and applause but in lives changed, friendships forged and self-confidence nurtured. As the school celebrates four decades, Brown’s legacy is everywhere: in the swagger of a young dancer, the pride of a parent in the audience, and the enduring bonds of an artistic family. Pitts sees it, for her, as a circle being completed.

“When I was young, I don’t think I could have fully imagined it,” she said. “At the time, it was just my normal: classes, rehearsals, my mom leading the way. But looking back now, it does feel like a beautiful full-circle moment. The school has always been such a cornerstone of my life, and stepping into this role feels both natural and deeply humbling. Forty years is a long legacy, and I’m grateful to be a part of it with her now.”

Island Dance and Gymnastics is more than an institution — it is a living mosaic of stories, dreams and memories. Thanks to Brown’s unwavering spirit, South Whidbey Island is richer, more joyful, more connected. As she and Jamee look to the decades ahead, there is every reason to believe that the stage will remain bright, the music will play on and generations yet to come will keep dancing, together.

To find out more about Island Dance & Gymnastics, classes, staff and how to register, visit www.islanddancestudio.com.