The Jan Pianta School of Dance (JPSD) in Bairnsdale marked a remarkable milestone recently, celebrating the enduring support of the Rijs family — a connection spanning four generations.
For more than 40 years, JPSD has been a cornerstone of performing arts in East Gippsland, and the Rijs family has been a faithful part of the school’s journey.
A memorable photograph at the studios captured four generations of family members together — a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the school.
Marlene Rijs, the family matriarch, has been JPSD’s costume and design manager for more than a decade, creating countless stage costumes for dancers and winning a
costume design award earlier this year at Melbourne’s Follow Your Dreams dance competition.
Her late husband, Richard Rijs, was also a passionate supporter, generously donating time, materials, and costumes over the years.
The photograph features Marlene alongside Taylor Sproule, a former JPSD dancer and current hip hop teacher who runs the school’s “Mums & Bubs” barre class. Taylor’s three-year-old daughter, Tully, has just joined the dance school.
Also pictured is 12-year-old Indi Rijs, who enrolled at age three in 2018 and now attends classes three days a week. Taylor and Indi are Marlene’s grandchildren, while Tully is her great-grandchild. Over the years, other Rijs grandchildren have also trained at JPSD, highlighting the family’s long-standing involvement.
Adding another layer to their connection, Marlene and JPSD founder, Jan Pianta, discovered a shared link through local family history. The Rijs family were the original owners of Patties Bakery, with its factory built on land once owned by Jan’s great-grandfather, Bairnsdale pioneer Mathew Hueton.
Even a nearby street bears the Hueton name, cementing the historic bond between the two families.
This milestone celebration is a testament to the dedication of the Rijs family and the enduring community spirit that continues to make JPSD a cornerstone of East Gippsland’s cultural life.
