Rise Up Dance Center Celebrates New Rochelle Location

ROCHELLE — Rise Up Dance Center celebrated the opening of its new location at 5528 S. Center Road with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday. Owned and directed by Christa McGrath, Rise Up offers recreational and competitive dance and cheer programs for children as young as 12 months through adults, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary and tap. McGrath, who has more than 20 years of experience in the performing arts, said the move came after Michelle Pease, Community Development Director with the city of Rochelle, contacted her about the property, which she had previously considered but did not think she would move into. McGrath said she signed a lease about five days after deciding to look at the building and considers the new location Rise Up’s “forever home.” She credited the Rochelle Area Chamber of Commerce, the city, her dance families and her own family for supporting the business. McGrath said she hopes to eventually expand the property, with possible plans including a theater and additional programming such as yoga classes.