A new arts and fitness school is opening its doors in Chatham this fall. 
An open house was held at the Brio Academy on Richmond Street this past Saturday.
Owner Rachel Schwartz says she’s had a dream of starting her own studio for years.
“I’ve always wanted to open a facility that is all about enhancing what is awesome about everyone’s kid, what makes them unique,” Schwartz says. “All of the classes that we’re doing enhances their cognitive, their creative, their social, and their physical development.”
Schwartz has been teaching music full-time for the last 18 years, while her husband Dan Whittal runs the Zanshin Dojo Karate Club.
The Brio Academy will offer dance, drama, music, martial arts, and fitness lessons for newborns and older, including some classes for adults.
It’s just been a couple of months since the opening was announced, and Schwartz says they’ve been overwhelmed by the support from the community.
“They’ve responded to the concept even better than I could have hoped,” she says. “There is a program for every kid because there is absolutely something every kid is interested in and we have something here that can develop that.”
The school, which includes two main studios and a number of smaller classrooms for private lessons, is located at 330 Richmond Street in Chatham.
You can find out more about the courses offered on the Brio website.
