Mamas,
I have a 3.5 year old whose imagination was completely captured during a recent outing to see the Nutcracker. She now dances around the house all the time and it is precious! She loves dress up and has a big imagination. I would like to get her started in some kind of dance class. We are fairly new to the area, so I could use some feedback on places that you have actual experience with. My heart's desire is that she 1) experience JOY from it--I don't want her to end up in a highly driven or competitive environment; 2) gain exercise for strength, flexibility, control over her body & confidence; 3) I want her to dress like a little girl. Modest, age-appropriate costumes would be great. Something fun for an occasional recital is fine, just something tasteful! Would love some feedback. Thanks!
I started my daughter in a dance class at that age at the Little Gym in Keller. She loved it. They did dance that was just right for that age and combined the class with a gymnastic time as well.
if you are anywhere near I-35 and 2181 (Swisher) in Hickory Creek, Lake Dallas, South Denton, then there is a GREAT place called A Time to Dance off Swisher. Ms. Pam runs it and she is a christian. They always have appropriate music and dance clothes.
Hi K.,
I teach at Top Hat in Lewisville. It's a great studio. I'm not sure if 3 1/2 is too young for their early classes. To begin with, she would take one class per week (probably 45 minutes to start) that teaches tap and ballet. Ballet is required for all students. From a teacher's perspective, it's most important to the foundation for any dancer. The studio has a competitive side, but it is not required. My daughter is not part of that (she's 8) and it is not flaunted in her face, either. It's a studio that will prepare any dancer for a professional career if they so choose. The teachers are great, well trained (many have worked professionally) and work well with the kids. The studio is more intersested in teaching them to dance than to look cute shaking their booty. Of course, any studio requires a good fit and you should visit, watch classes and ask a lot of questions. If I can help further, let me know. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Their website is: http://www.tophatdance.com
Good luck! L.
You did not say where you live. We have used Raising the Barre in Frisco and are currently at Footlights in Lewisville. Both are wonderful studios. They are Christian studios so you will never have to worry about innapropriate costumes are music. The teachers at both are wonderful! RTB is a smaller studio, and they also have a satelite studio in Prosper. Footlight is a larger studio. Both have competetive teams for later should you decide at an older age to pursue it! You can't go wrong with either.
My three year old loved Miss Tera at the Dance Space in Highland Village. There is a recital once a year in May or June. She is great witht he little ones!!
Studio One Dance Center is fantastic! We have been there for two years and love it. It is a Christian run studio and they always use appropriate music, cosutmes and dance moves. My daughter started there at 3 1/2 also. The studio is located at Basswood and Park Vista in Keller.
My 2 year old daughter goes to Pat Riddle in Colleyville. We are very happy with it. They let you take a class to see if you like it before you enroll.
We love Studio One in Keller! They are so great with the girls! Very low key and wonderful and patient! Not competitve at all!!! They are there to have fun and give them the basics at that age. It's at Basswood and Park Vista in Keller/Fort Worth.
I don't know where you live, but my daughter loves to dance and she is in her 4th year with Miss Melva, there is a studio in Coppell, and one in Richardson. It is not competitive but a wonderful place where children are treated with respect and taught the love and the discipline of dance. We are so taken with her that even when we moved I still drive 30 minutes to get my daughter to the studio. One of my favorite things is that the music that the children dance to is age appropriate as are their costumes. ###-###-#### to reach Melva.
