Charisma School of Dance (“CSD”) in Lakewood, Washington, is a school that makes people feel welcome. “Where an aspiring performer can build a strong foundation and realize dreams.” No matter what our size or ability level, they believe there is a dancer in all of us. Their students always comment on how comfortable and “at home” the students feel at CSD. CSD wants everyone to reach their full potential and whether it is for fun or to become a professional, CSD is there to help the dancers meet their goals.
Charisma’s dance teachers truly care about their students. The instructors’ main concern is not their paycheck but the students’ improvement and their well being. CSD also gives all of the students opportunities to perform. CSD doesn’t highlight one or two top dancers from the school. All of their dancers are treated equally and given the opportunity to shine. They don’t treat one dancer better than another because they are a better dancer. They are all human beings and are treated with love at Charisma.
Erin’s proudest moments are varied. She believes it ranges from the simplest thing like seeing the smile on a four-year old who is learning to skip to seeing one of the older students come out of their shell and perform like they never have before. Achievements, no matter how big or how small, makes a teacher proud and shows that what they are doing is worthwhile.
Her goal for Charisma is always for improvement. Whether it is higher extensions, stronger control, or more pirouettes, she would like to see some of her students let themselves go and really express themselves through the music. She always reminds them that they are here in a safe environment and that they should let go and enjoy themselves.
The biggest mistake Erin sees dancers make is when they compromise their technique to try to get more turns, bigger jumps or other improved moves. As a result, the movements are not done correctly. Sh e also sees dancers that use “You Tube” or other sites to learn steps. Unfortunately, the moves are not always shown correctly on YouTube so, consequently, the students are not learning the steps correctly.
Charisma School of Dance was founded in Tacoma in 1997 by Erin Fay Montalvo. She began studying dance in California at three years of age and at eight years of age she was teaching ballet to her neighbor friends in the family garage. After moving to Puyallup, she continued her studies with Tony Gamlieli and Valli Hale, Tacoma City Ballet, Suburban Dance Studio and Pacific Northwest Ballet. During her summers, she would fly to California and study at Tremaine Studios, working with the Fly Girls, Madonna’s dancers and Mr. Barry Lathers, most famously known as Michael Jackson’s choreographer. Finally, she was able to realize her dream of opening her own dance studio, and Charisma School of Dane was born Her aim was to teach all the techniques needed to be successful in an atmosphere of love and caring so that the dance world would be one that would be a welcoming environment that dancers would never want to leave.
Erin decided to start Charisma when she did because her mother told her told her that she was ready. True story! Her mom has always been her biggest supporter and knew Erin was ready to start her own studio. Even though Erin herself doubted that she was ready, she opened the studio and discovered her mother was right! According to Erin, it has been a wonderful journey! The students, their parents, and friendships have been wonderful and Erin couldn’t imagine herself doing anything other than what she is doing and with this school.
Erin says she is always thinking to herself, “How blessed I am to have the staff I do. They are warm, caring individuals and they make Charisma a wonderful school.”
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Charisma School of Dance or Erin Faymontalvo.
If you would like more information about Charisma School of Dance, check them out on their website at http://www.charismaschoolofdance.com. You can also call them at 253-581-8711 or email them at erinfaymontalvo76@gmail.com. Don’t forget to “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
