Jacqueline (“Jacque”) White, Founder of Open Door Studios in Charlotte, North Carolina, relates that although Open Door Studios is a professional studio, it has a very nurturing atmosphere and staff. They offer adult and youth classes, workshops and camps. Open door received the Elevate Lifestyle Awards in 2013. They were voted best place to take dance lessons in Charlotte, North Carolina
Located in the heart of historic Plaza Midwood, Open Door Studios provides a unique offering of adult and youth dance and fitness classes for all levels and ages. They offer group classes, private instruction and studio rental. Their teachers are professionals with extensive backgrounds in education and performance who love to share their passion for instructing others. This is the place to experience a refreshing approach to dance instruction in a non-intimidating atmosphere sure to challenge, inspire and move you no matter where you are in your dance career.
For Adults, dance is a great way to rekindle your love of movement or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Open Studios offers a variety of dance and fitness classes for all levels, from beginners to professionals. Classes include Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Modern, and are always taught in a non-intimidating and fun atmosphere!
Open Door Studios offers classes for young dancers from 2 ½ years old through high school in Acrobatics, Ballet/Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement, Jazz, Modern, Pointe, and Street Dance. They have a welcoming environment for students of any background and level of experience. Their classes foster creativity and individuality, while always focusing on proper technique, cultivating a healthy respect for one’s body and the art of dance.
Open Door is proud to include the American Ballet Theatre® (“ABT”) National Training Curriculum, a breakthrough, 8-level program that combines high quality artistic training with the basics of dancer health and child development. The ABT® National Training curriculum consists of a comprehensive set of age-appropriate, outcome-based guidelines to provide the highest quality ballet training to dance students of all ages and skill levels. Primary through Level 5 will be taught by Jacque who is an ABT® Certified Teacher and who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. ABT® Certified Teachers have completed intensive training in the ABT® National Training Curriculum and successfully passed comprehensive examination(s).
Open Door challenges the individual dancer in meeting his or her goals. They realize that not all of their students have visions of, or are suited for, a professional dance career. Actually, many of them are professionals, but in other fields – lawyers, engineers, parents, etc. Open Door also has open classes daily for dancers over 16 years old. There is no contract or monthly tuition fee to take part in the open classes.
Jacque says she has had many very proud moments in her career, so it is hard to narrow down. She started Open Door as a place where adults could find a dance home, regardless of their level. When they moved into a larger space five years ago, Jacque was overcome with the vocalization of their adult students saying just that – that they had found a home. They are still with Open Doors five years later!
One thing Jacque tries to assist young dancers with is to enjoy the movement! Often they get fixated on making things look perfect and they forget to find joy in the ability to move. Jacque feels that losing the joy of movement is the biggest mistake dancers make. She sees that joy first hand with students in the primary levels. They love moving and are confident in their movement style. As they progress to the intermediate and advanced levels, they lose some of that. Adult dancers are much like the primary students, they are there for the joy. It is wonderful to see the combination of levels in the open classes. They can learn from each other!
Jacque’s goals for the next year are in the area of communication. She would like to have the students assessed by their teachers so that their parents can be clear on how their children are progressing. She would also like to have better communications with her staff so that they are all on the same page and that they know she is there for them.
After she moved to a city with a professional company, Jacque was surprised to find very few opportunities for adult classes and master classes. she had been teaching for over 15 years at the time, yet her husband never know which studio she was teaching in on any given day of the week. Consequently, it was decided it was time for her to be in one place offering adult and youth classes in their own neighborhood.
Open Door has have several local companies that rehearse at their studio, including; Baran Dance, The Moving Poets and TapRoot. Open Door believes it is also important to offer community master classes and workshops. They have had the opportunity to host Pablo Francesco, from Limon, Kim Jones from Martha Graham and Chryssie Whitehead from Broadway, among others. They do not choose to highlight one technique and they welcome all.
If you would like to try something new, you should look into Open Doors workshop or summer camps that are sure to enliven the dancer within you or your child. They offer a variety of specialty classes and camps for all ages, ranging from one-day to week-long sessions. Workshops include Ballet 101, Graham and Limon Technique, Aerial Dance, and a variety of other intensives. For adults, they offer a variety of workshops throughout the year for all levels. Whether you are new to dance and don’t know where to start, or an Intermediate/Advanced dancer looking to try something new, they have something for you! For Children, they strive to offer a way to prevent “cabin fever” over Summer or Winter break! They offer single or multi-day camps and workshops in Acrobatics, Aerial Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, and more for all ages! Summer Camps include Fairies and Fairy Tales, Acromania, Just Dance!, Gymtastic, and more!
In addition to Open Door Studio, Jacque has established the Open Door Dance Foundation. The mission of the Open Door Dance Foundation is to assist aspiring dancers in attaining their educational and career goals through financial scholarships. The application process is open to dancers who are 14 to 25 years of age, currently enrolled in a dance program, can prove financial hardship, and provide a statement of intent outlining how the scholarship will be applied. The scholarship can be used for summer intensives, workshops, master classes, college/high school dance programs, or for classes throughout the school year. For more information e-mail them at oddancef@gmail.com.
Also, Open Door Studios offers work study scholarships to dancers who are interested in furthering their dance training for professional or collegiate aspirations. The scholarships function as a work/study exchange only and no money will be exchanged. Scholarship students perform responsibilities for the upkeep of the studio, including; class assisting, cleaning, representing Open Door Studios at functions, etc. Work study students must commit to a 9-month contract and work a minimum of 3 hours per week. To be eligible, the dancer must be over 14 years old, agree to a 9-month commitment, volunteer at Open Door Studios performances, events and recitals and have an enthusiastic attitude.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Open Door Studios of Jacqueline White.
For further information on Open Door Studios, please visit their website at www.opendoorstudios.com, call them at 704.817.9281 or e-mail them at info@opendoorstudios.com.
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