Impact Dance Continues to Grow, Make Memories

About 13 years ago, Mario Fotino was driving through La Grange and decided to stop by Impact Dance Studio, where he spent some time growing up.

While there he saw a woman named Diane that he knew as a child. They went to dinner to catch up, and they’ve been together ever since. Now the two run the dance studio together, and it’s been growing since they’ve been in charge.

Diane, who grew up in Brookfield, started dancing at Impact when she was 10. By the time she was 13, Diane was helping teaching. And at 21 she bought the business.

“Diane set us apart from other dance studios in the area,” Fotino said. “When she got the business, it had 250 students, and it grew to 550 in two years. Now we almost have 1,000.”

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The studio eventually took over the entire second floor of its building, and they later opened a second location in Countryside. The growing enrollment is certainly seen around town, where Impact Dance is heavily involved in the community, performing at schools and countless village events.

This Saturday, June 15, Impact Dance will have its 25th annual recital at Hinsdale Central High School. Shows are at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Go here for more information.

Fotino said it’s necessary to be involved in the community, something he’s done personally as a recently elected La Grange Park trustee and vice president of the La Grange Business Association.

“That was a big reason why the studio has been a good fit for me,” Mario said. “I want to play a role in the continued success of these communities. I have little kids and I want to play a part in what happens here.

Indeed, the couple has two children, a 4-year-old who takes classes and a 2-year-old who is sure to get involved there, too. Mario’s sister took classes at Impact when they were kids, and when the performance company was dancing to Oliver he was called upon for one of the male roles. And Diane helped teach Mario.

“I want kids to continue making memories here like my wife and I did,” he said.