Back-to-school time means back-to-dance time, and time to return to our second home at The Dance Company. This is an especially happy occasion as we once again join friends and teachers we’ve come to cherish. I cannot begin to express the positive experiences we, as a family, have had with the staff and the teachers at this studio. The teachers are extremely dedicated and make learning the art of dance an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The Dance Company employs a number of talented dancers and performing artists, each making his or her own special contribution to the studio. One example is Miss Marina, The Dance Company’s Ballet Director AND professional ballet dancer. A ballet teacher of this level demonstrates TDC’s commitment to the importance of ballet as the foundation of dance. What a joy it is to see her sharing her passion for ballet with the students of TDC. Sometimes as I watch her teach, I wish that I too could join in and be transformed into a beautiful swan or a waltzing flower! Another example is Miss Jenny, TDC’s exuberant Tap Director. Miss Jenny brings a wealth of performing and teaching experience to her students. What one might not realize is that Miss Jenny is more than an accomplished tap dancer – she also holds a degree in psychology as well as a Masters Degree in counseling and play therapy, and is currently employed as a counselor in Tarrant County. Each Dance Company instructor has an equally impressive, interesting, and unique list of credentials!\r
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The owner of The Dance Company is primary (and, I think, admittedly) a businesswoman, but it seems she allows the teachers a great deal of artistic and creative freedom, while at the same time emphasizing the values and original “mission” she envisioned for the studio. In essence, the way I understand it, is that the studio is there first and foremost for the students, and that there is to be a level of civility and decency within its walls. In other words, folks show respect to one another: students to teachers, teachers to students, and so on. The teachers are not to use music with questionable lyrics. The recital costumes are to be tasteful. The students are expected to adhere to a dress code when attending classes. This dress code includes pulling one’s hair back for class, and not wearing attire such as “booty shorts” to class. If you are looking for a “Toddlers and Tiaras” sort of setting, this is probably not the place for you. As a parent, however, I welcome the structure and professionalism The Dance Company provides.\r
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The Dance Company offers a huge variety of classes, including basics like ballet, tap, jazz, and modern, to more specialized classes such as stage prep, musical theatre, and boys’ hip hop… the list is long! \r
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Finally, I would like to take a moment to discuss the facility. Naturally there are all the amenities one would expect in a dance studio: attached and portable barres, large mirrors on the walls, sound system, etc. The dance rooms feel big and spacious. Each dance room has a one-way glass viewing window – the students are not distracted by parents, grandparents, etc who want to watch their special dancers. Most importantly, each dance room has a proper dance floor. Please, never let your dancer dance on a concrete floor! There is a well-stocked dancewear store attached to the waiting room, and, yes, they carry Capezio! There is a kitchen (for parties, etc), and three restrooms. If you have little ones, you know that more than one restroom is a huge plus! There is ample parking available, and I appreciate the fact that parents who do not choose to wait inside are asked to come in to pick up their students, rather than have students wandering outside alone.\r
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In summary, The Dance Company has a good mix of fun, yet structured classes; well-qualified staff; a large variety of classes; and a wonderful facility.
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