Specialties
The Dance Loft is known for exclusively employing professional dancers and choreographers from NYC's elite dance scene to compose our faculty. We specialize in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, and pointe. Collectively, our faculty members have appeared on Broadway; in top ballet companies; in professional national tours; in music videos and in concert with top artists like Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Madonna; and in national TV commercials. We offer an extensive adult ballet and adult barre-fitness program and welcome students of all ages and ability levels to our studio!
History
Established in 1984.
The Dance Loft opened 32 years ago under the artistic direction of Willa Damien and has become a leader in dance education on Long Island's south shore. In 2014, Brooke Robyn Dairman joined Ms. Damien as Co-Director, and together they have established a world-class training program unparalleled by any other facility in the area. With extensive class offerings and a staff of leading professionals, students of all ages and abilities continue to return to the Dance Loft year after year. Serious students are drawn to our structured ballet program, ongoing masterclasses, and award-winning competition team. Recreational dancers enjoy our wide range of class offerings that allow students to develop at their own pace. The Dance Loft offers one of the only adult dance programs on Long Island, and we welcome adult students of all levels and ages. We encourage you to stop by our beautiful loft space located in the heart of Long Beach, NY!
Meet the Business Owner: Willa and Brooke D.
Brooke Robyn Dairman and Willa Damien are Co-Directors of The Dance Loft. Willa founded the Dance Loft in 1984 after a successful career in professional Ballet. She appeared as a soloist with the Eglevsky Ballet Company, the Royal Opera of Ghent, the Ballet of Flanders of Antwerp, and Bejarts Ballet of the 20th Century. Her students have continued on to the School of American Ballet, Joffrey's, Alvin Ailey, the Bolshoi School in Moscow, professional dance companies, and professional theater. Brooke Robyn Dairman joined Willa as Co-Director in 2014 after a successful career in professional musical theater. Highlights of her career include playing Tiger Lily and understudying Peter in the national tour of "Peter Pan", performing as Minnie Fay opposite Sally Struthers in the 50th Anniversary National Tour of "Hello, Dolly!", and portraying June in Gypsy. Brooke choreographed the 2011 national tour of "All Shook Up" as well as several well-reviewed professional regional productions.