After graduating her senior year of high school in June 1952, Nancy Mulford, turned down an offer to tour the United States with renowned William Senna Ballet Company. Instead, she opened the doors to her first dance school, Nancy Briggs Dance School, on Baird Blvd in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, New Jersey. Here, she trained young students in ballet, pointe and tap. As enrollment increased, so did her need for a larger facility. After several moves, it landed in its current location in Mt. Ephraim on the Black Horse Pike.

Nancy Mulford wasn’t just a talented entrepreneur. She was a mother of six to one boy, Gary, and five girls, Paula, Robin, Kim, Linda and Susan—who all grew up in the studio and each played a significant role in the success of the business. Nancy and her husband Paul, aimed to center the business around family values. Their vision proved true in the growth of their own family including 15 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and growing.

In the early years of raising her family, she taught in the basement of her family home in Bellmawr, NJ. This is where the entire family fell in love with dance as they watched all the older kids come in for their dance lessons. They were hooked! In the 70’s+80’s, Nancy took her dancers to perform in USO Shows at Fort Dix, and on the USS Lexington as it sailed down the Delaware, on an aircraft carrier, and in the Navy Brig in Philadelphia! We also danced at the Children’s Seashore Home annually when it was in Atlantic City. These were amazing experiences for the students and family!

She had her children and students audition for the TV Show, of “Alberts TV Showcase”. Daughter Kim, at age 14, was chosen to be a Showstopper on the weekly televised show.

Over the years, Kim went on to be the choreographer for the show, choreographing to the song “On the Way to Cape May” among other songs by the late Al Alberts. MULFORD Dance studio dancers performed as regulars on the TV Show as well as their live shows all over the tri-state area.

Kim choreographed, trained, and prepped the dancers for these performances. Being part of the Al Alberts TV Show was such an honor.

Kim was honored to follow in her mothers dancing footsteps at the studio. She trained with her to teach while attending the University of the Arts school in Philadelphia as a ballet major. In 1999 Nancy Mulford retired as owner of the MULFORD Dance studio and became a consultant. Daughter Kim became the Artistic Director with the legacy goal of her mother by giving quality training and caring for every dancer that walked through the studio doors.

Kim was able to continue and build upon that long great legacy, and there list of accomplishments tells the story.

Mulford dancers performed in venues such as Madison Square Garden, Walt Disney World, Wachovia Center, cruise ships, NJ Governors Mansion, many televised programs, Al Alberts TV Showcase, March Of dimes Telethon, The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1994, Cherry Blossom Parade, Citrus Bowl, Ms. NJ Pageants, Ms. PA Pageants, Six Flags Great Adventure, Televised Millennium Celebration at the PA Convention Center, as well as nursing homes, hospitals and much more.

Many Mulford dancers have advanced to places like Koresh Youth Ensemble, Towson Dance Team, Philadelphia 76ers. Dance Team, Jr. 76ers. Dance team, SoulMates, Kixx Dance team, Philadelphia Should Dance Team, Eagles Cheerleaders, Russian Ballet Theater of Delaware, Walnut Street Theater, Sesame Place, The Nut Cracker and many university dance teams.

Many students have gone on to teach dance at Mulford’s, teach at other studios or now own their own business in the arts.

The staff at Mulford’s is highly dedicated, and truly a family. This dedication and energy has helped the studio get to its 70th year in business. In 2023 long time student Ariana Ferrari, who started at the studio at age 2, has become an owner. Kim Mulford has taken her under her wing, and the two are working closely to ensure the studio goes strong for another 70 years.

Check out all the great things happening at www.mulforddance.com