Eden Watson
Studio Owner + Instructor

Eden Watson has been dancing at ABDC for over 20 years-first as a student, then a teacher, and now as artistic director. She began dancing at ABDC in 1998 under the direction of ABDC’s founder, Melinda Samperi. Working as a student assistant, Eden discovered her love of teaching and sharing her passion with younger dancers! She went on to study dance at Skidmore College where she studied ballet, modern, tap, jazz, choreography and improvisation and performed in faculty and student choreography performances. While at Skidmore, Eden had the opportunity to work with dancers from the American Ballet Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, Doug Varone and Dancers, and performed in works choreographed by Martha Graham, Robert Battle, Doris Humphrey, and Isadora Duncan. Eden always remained close to her Acton-Boxborough Dance Center family, and after graduating Skidmore with a B.S and Honors in Dance, returned to her hometown and home studio as a teacher, and now as Artistic Director. Community involvement has been a focus of ABDC under Eden’s direction, and ABDC students have performed at Robbins Brook, Life Care Center of Acton, the Beacon Santa Telethon, and Move for the Movement, a benefit performance for the American Cancer Society. ABDC has raised money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, donated hats and gloves to Cradles to Crayons, sent costumes to dancers in need, and participated in National Dance Week Foundation’s Kick for Kindness video contest. Eden is committed to making ABDC a place where dancers feel at home, and where they receive quality dance education while making lifelong friendships and memories, just like she has! Most recently, Eden has completed her certification in Progressing Ballet Technique and enjoys continuing her education at various conferences and workshops. Eden is also Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) certified- meaning she has completed a course on dance safety, injury prevention, CPR/First Aid, and safety and emergency preparedness. She also completed a course on the wellness and development of youth dancers which covered social media, social media safety, today’s dance culture, developmentally appropriate artistry, body image, nutrition, disordered eating, bullying, and conflict resolution.  She is currently working towards her certification with RhythmWorks Integrative Dance, an adaptive dance curriculum.