Still a wonderfully nurturing dance studio with immensely patient and dedicated teachers and staff…read more It's been 9 years, and the studio has grown in space and homegrown talent, which is evident in the ambitious goals the studio successfully executes each year.
This is a ballet-based studio with a growing musical theater program, and fun recreational/non-competitive class offerings in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, hip hop and even pilates reformer.
The ballet side includes a pre-pro program that is intended to nurture students with professional dance aspirations or just want to be in "club level" ballet (i.e. your young 9 year old kid will be there 2-3 times a week and your 12/13+ tween will be there 4/5 times a week multiple hours a day. Dancers participating in shows will have Saturday rehearsals). The AD has an annual assessment (for pre-pro students) to assess goals and steps needed to achieve them. Recently, many of these students have been invited to well known ballet SIs, including PNB, PBT, SAB, and ABT. The AD further supports their school/ballet balance and many of the pre-pro dancers have been waived out of PE through OCIS (Off Campus Independent Study).
Annually, the staff presents "the Nutcracker" where all roles (except 1-2 adult male roles, which are professionally filled) are casted by their classically trained students. Over the last 3 years, they've also presented a shorter storybook ballet of similar caliber. Every year we've been here, there has been an end of year recital series, which is the main opportunity for the non-ballet students to present what they've learned in choreographed pieces. The studio has grown to include a musical theater program, which also provides opportunities to shine in "Mini Musicals".
Yes, the hallways can be a little "extra", but that's what happens when students love the place so much that they are there for multiple classes in the afternoons, and on rehearsal weekends.
And yes, dance can be pricey, but my experience is that the rec level classes are comparable to any other rec level activity my other kid has done with *professional* teachers, it's obviously more expensive than little league or soccer which are volunteer coached. Further, pricing is on a tiered structure, where "the more classes you take, the cheaper your 5th, 6th, 7th, etc class is." And yes - sounds nuts, but many of the pre-pro kids love it there enough that they're there for that many classes.
Lastly, I didn't realize how grateful I am for this until my daughter got older, but the owners refuse to allow revealing costumes and uniforms. You'll find the students in leotards/tights, athleisure wear, and tasteful recital costumes - not a booty short or bra/crop top in sight, as I wish dance culture would be.
Overall, a great place to be for those with professional ballet aspirations (and who want to be challenged appropriately), or who want to learn other styles for enjoyment without the expectation to compete.
