After almost four decades of inspiring a love of performance in generations of Hicksville residents, Ella Marie Columbo has retired as owner of Ella Marie School of Dance.

Ella, who is also outgoing president of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, said she will continue to be active in the chamber. Both Ella and her school have grown quite familiar to the local community, through her tireless efforts in the chamber's downtown revitalization projects, and her students' cheerful performances at community events, such as the chamber's annual business expo. She assured that the studio's commitment to the community will continue under new owners, Ann Marie Anderson, Michele Rosner and Catherine Lynch. The new owners are former students of the studio, and were Columbo's partners in running the business for the past four years. While she has sold ownership of the business to them, she retains ownership of the building.

Ella opened the school in 1962, starting with 80 students at a location on Broadway. Through 38 years of hard work, the school, currently located on Herzog Place in downtown Hicksville, has grown to an enrollment of 900 students. Prior to opening Ella Marie School of Dance in 1962, Columbo was a professional dancer, starting out as a Roxyette in 1955. She is still a member of the Dance Educators of America. She is also former owner of a dance studio in St. James, and the former dance director of Let's Make Music and Dance in Glen Head. In addition, she is being honored by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce as their Small Businessperson of the Year for 2001 at the organization's 75th Anniversary Installation Dinner next month.

Asked how having a dance school in the center of town has contributed to the Hicksville community over the years, Columbo in an interview this week, commented, "I feel that my being in Hicksville has helped the community in many ways. First of all, these students have something to do besides go to the movies. They have gotten the training, the education, the musical background, that they can also use in school."

She added, "Almost all of them are cheerleaders in the high school, or they go into the drama club, or they go into orchestra. And their doing these recitals gives them the confidence to do all this. I hear from students that go away to college, and they are in the dance or drama programs at college. Some of our students even teach for us when they're in college."

Although she has sold the studio, Ella will not be too far from the Long Island dance education and performance. Among her activities in retirement, she plans to judge competitions.

Ella noted that the community of Hicksville and her students remain dear to her, and wrote the following retirement farewell to her students and their parents:

I want to thank students and parents, past and present for making my dreams and wishes come true. Looking back, I consider myself a very fortunate person. Forty-five years ago, I started with the glamour and excitement of show business. The applause, costumes, famous celebrities is something I will always treasure. Thirty-nine years ago, I opened my first studio in Hicksville with 80 students. I slowly grew and opened a second studio in St. James which I sold. It is still in existence. I also became dance director of Let's Make Music and Dance in Glen Head. Four years ago, Misses Annmarie, Catherine, and Michele became my partners. I taught them when they were young girls. We discussed my retirement in the near future. I am ready. It is difficult, but it is time to let go. I will miss this life, but we must close one door to open another.

God Bless you and keep you healthy. I love you.

Dancingly yours,

Miss Ella Marie