✨ A Heartfelt Announcement from Jennifer Mercer of Jennifer’s Jazz It Up ✨**

After 25 incredible years of pouring my heart and soul into Jennifer’s Jazz It Up, I have made the bittersweet decision to retire. This journey has been nothing short of amazing, and I am filled with gratitude for every moment spent wearing the many hats that come with being a studio director.

From cleaning the studio to managing clients, parents, and staff, overseeing costumes, shows, music, and editing, not to mention the social media marketing, meetings, and competitions—each role has shaped me and our beloved studio into a vibrant community. I have cherished the opportunity to be a mentor, a leader, a friend, and a visionary for so many talented dancers.

Together, we have created a beautiful space where dreams come alive, and I have been privileged to meet so many wonderful people along the way. However, over the past two years, our industry has faced significant changes that no longer align with the morals and values upon which I built this studio. The toxicity that has emerged from other LOCAL studios and their parents has taken a toll on my spirit in unimaginable ways. I have always believed in fostering a positive environment, but setting boundaries has unfortunately drawn negativity from those who do not share the same values. My advice to anyone looking for dance classes is to take a LONG hard look at their actions towards other women and not just what they say on social media. Actions speak louder than words. Ask, Where did they come from? Where did they dance? What qualifications and experience they have. There is NO governing body in dance protecting your kids. I can not stress this enough, the environment matters. If you want your dancers to learn and grow in dance, my advice is to choose one of the studios that has been around for longer than 10 years. They are the real deal in our industry. They train with proper technique and have the ability to help your dancer grow on and off the stage.

While it is difficult to step away, I want to emphasize that this is not the end for our dancers. Instead, it marks the beginning of new adventures, both for them and for me. I am excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead—opportunities that align with my values and contribute to a more uplifting and positive life. I am happy to announce that Take 5 Dance out of Oshawa will be taking over both our client base and our studio. With 25 years of proper training, expericence and knowledge, I am fullly confident that Jesslyn and the Take 5 Dance team will take our dancers to the next level.

I will forever cheer on our dancers and continue to teach them to follow their dreams and hold onto them in a positive way. It wouldn’t be right for me to do anything less. As I embark on this new chapter, I choose to lead by example, embodying the strong morals and values I have always stood for.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. Your love and support have meant the world to me, and I look forward to seeing all of you continue to shine in your dance journeys.

With all my love,

Jennifer Mercer 💖

JJIU Announcement

🌟✨ RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT ⭐️. After 25 beautiful years, it is with great honour and emotion that I announce my retirement from Jennifer’s Jazz It Up. This decision comes with a heart full of gratitude as I reflect on the countless cherished memories we’ve created together. I want to extend my deepest thanks to all my former dancers, their families, our dedicated teachers, talented colleagues, and inspiring choreographers who have made this journey so special. Your love and support have been my foundation. To my family, your unwavering encouragement has meant everything to me. To our incredible community, thank you for cheering us on through every parade and performance over the years. Your enthusiasm has fueled our passion and made every moment unforgettable. Throughout this journey, I have had the privilege of working with thousands of young dancers, providing them not only with skills but also with invaluable life lessons that go beyond dance. Jennifer’s Jazz It Up was built on strong values, dedicated to giving children once-in-a-lifetime experiences and helping them discover the bigger picture through our teachings. While I will dearly miss all of my amazing JJIU dancers and families, I am not going far! I am excited for what lies ahead, both for myself and for all of you. Big changes are coming, and I can’t wait to share them with you. This is not the end for our dancers, it is a new beginning! Stay tuned for more information, and thank you for being such an essential part of this incredible journey and for allowing me to live out my dreams for so many years. 💖