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by kellie abrahamson
kabrahamson1@aol.com
My daughter has big dreams. When she grows up she wants to be a cheerleading ballerina astronaut. And, of course, a princess. I figure it’s my job to help her achieve her goals, so, short of tracking down a royal family to marry my little girl off, I’ve been doing what I can to give her the skills to make some of those lofty dreams come true, beginning with her biggest obsession of the moment: dance.
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With so many different dance schools to choose from in and around the Jacksonville area, selecting the right instructor for our family was a task all by itself. It’s important to do your homework before selecting a dance school. Choosing the wrong one can be like throwing your money right down the drain. Your child could walk away learning nothing and all you’ll have to show for it is a lighter wallet. Here are some tips on choosing the right dance school for your little ballerina:
Call around to multiple studios- Never pick a school based on location or price alone. Because Jacksonville has literally hundreds of dance studios all around the city, you’re able to be choosy. Call multiple studios and interview them as you would a daycare or a nanny.
Experience is important- Even if your child is four-years old and just starting out, you want a teacher that’s been performing and teaching for a number of years, particularly with small children. The first couple years lay the foundation of your child’s dance instruction and it’s very important to have someone with experience in front of the classroom.
Visit the studio- Before you pick a school, ask if you can tour the facility and observe a class. Getting a good look at the dance space and how the classes are taught will give you an idea of how serious the school is about your child’s dance instruction. If it’s a cramped space with concrete flooring (wood sprung flooring is best), your little one’s dance career may not be first on the school’s mind.
Meet the teacher- In addition to having dance experience, an instructor should also be personable and approachable. They should also have an interest in your child’s goals and interests. You and your little ballerina will be interacting with this person every week for nearly a year, so it’s important that everyone be comfortable with one another.
As I mentioned, a Google search for “dance schools” in Jacksonville will get you nearly 700 hits, which can be a tad overwhelming. Here are just some of the great dance studios to consider when looking for an instructor for your child:
Locations:
Mandarin- 3740 San Jose Place
Fruit Cove- 445 N. State Road 13, Suite #13
Julington Creek- 106 Julington Creek Plaza Drive
Orange Park- 1101 Blanding Blvd, Suite #118
Contact info: (904) 268-3583 or markspivak.com
Ages taught: 18 months to adult
Classes available: Creative Dance (18 month to 2 years), Ballet/Tap/Tumbling (3 to 4½ years), Ballet Beginning I-II, Intermediate and Advance (5 years and up), Pointe class and Ballet Variations (11 years and up with at least 3 to 5 years disciplined experience), Character Dance (9 years and up), Hip-Hop/Jazz (all ages), Modern (9 years and up), Acrobatics (3 years and up), and Cheerdance (5 years and up)
About: Mark Spivak’s Institute and Dance Extension was established in 1980 by Ukrainian-born professional dancer Mark Spivak. The founder is a well-known Master Teacher and Choreographer and has been a guest teacher for prestigious ballet companies around the country.
Location: 4150 Herschel St
Contact info: (904) 388-4838 mazzasmithdance.com
Ages taught: 3 years and up
Classes available: Ballet, Tap, Jazz and rhythm and movement
About: Focusing on relationships and character-building, as well as rhythm and movement, Mazza Smith helps children gain confidence and learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, respect for others, self-expression, music appreciation and the exciting art of dance.
Location: 769-1 Blanding Blvd.
Contact info: (904) 272-2555 or mjsod.com
Ages taught: 2 years and up
Classes available: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, and Hip-Hop, and Creative Movement (for toddlers)
About: Marta Jackson has been teaching ballet for nearly 50 years and the instructors at Marta Jackson School of Dance have plenty of experience too. The studio has three spacious dance rooms with sprung floors to reduce fatigue and prevent injuries. The school also strives to keep class-sizes low so each child gets plenty of attention and individual instruction.
Location: Preschools around the city
Contact info: 655-8283 or littledancingstars.com
Ages taught: 3 years to 6 years
Classes available: Beginning Ballet and Tap
About: Little Dancing Stars is a mobile dance company that started in 1997. Instead of having to fit dance into your schedule, this unique studio comes to your child’s day care or preschool (if your child happens to go to one of the 26 schools they Little Dancing Stars services). Each teacher has years of dance experience and is trained to make lessons fun for their students.
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