The Annie’s Next Dance foundation hopes to cherish her legacy as a great mom, a devotee of dancing and the performance arts, and a symbol for all the dance moms who support the hopes and dreams of their children.

Anne Dewey Stout was a beautiful soul with two great loves in her life, her children and dance. Growing up in a family with five other siblings, Annie sometimes struggled to find her own identity.  She began taking lessons at Peggy McGlone’s Dance Studio in Waltham, MA at the age of seven. She would typically practice her routines in the kitchen with her sisters, tapping away on the linoleum floor for hours. She often initiated impromptu talent shows for family and friends in the living room with her brothers and sisters, especially around the holidays. In particular, Annie loved the excitement of the year-end recitals put on by her dance school. With all the costumes, the makeup, the music, and of course performing the dance numbers, Annie shined brightly under the lights on stage. As she matured, it became more evident that Annie had found her passion for life in dancing.  

During her time at Waltham High School, she was actively involved with Dance Theater under Ms. Peros-Finnell. She would later revisit the program as an alumna in support of her niece.  As she matured at the dance studio, she helped Miss Peggy with teaching the younger students for many years. She would also go on to teach for many years at Miss Tricia’s Dance Studio in Maynard, MA where her own children, Jay and Nicole, would take lessons in the hometown where they were raised.  

As her son and daughter grew into excellent dancers, they became involved with dance competitions. They traveled many times to New Jersey and Connecticut to compete with other dance troupes. Naturally, Annie always supported her own children, but she was a vocal supporter, cheering loudly and boldly for all the dancers at recitals and competitions. Tragically, Annie’s life ended suddenly as the result of a traffic accident in April of 2021. Family, friends and the local dance community have felt her absence acutely. The Annie’s Next Dance foundation hopes to cherish her legacy as a great mom, a devotee of dancing and the performance arts, and a symbol for all the dance moms who support the hopes and dreams of their children.