Dance It Up!, Inc. (DIU) of North Grafton, Massachusetts, is a non-competitive dance school, whose mission is to instill in their students a love of music and dance; encourage imagination and creativity through class room technique, performance opportunities and exposure to different genres of dance art. They offer a broad range of movement programs for ages 22 months to adult.
For ages 22 months through 3.5 their Dance ‘N Play program is a stepping stone to preschool, designed to ensure young children are not beginning formal training too early. Team Dance It Up!, for ages 6 and up, is a non-competitive group that exposes the dancers to different choreographers, dance genres, and a multitude of performance opportunities. For dedicated ballet students ages 11 and up, they offer a company class and a ballet repertory ensemble that focus on ballet technique and performance opportunities. In addition to ballet, DIU offers tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, pointe, pre-pointe, Irish step, acrobatics. Their Adult Fit It In program offers a barre workout and an Adult ballet class. At Dance It Up! you will expect a warm, caring, nurturing, and harmonies atmosphere, where corporation, open communication, courtesy and respect are their trademarks.
It is DIU’s mission to instill in their students a love of music and dance and to encourage creativity and imagination through exposure to different forms of dance, performance opportunities and classroom technique. They strive to accomplish their mission, achieve their goals and strongly believe that the proper environment is essential. At Dance It Up!, dancers may expect a caring warm, harmonious and nurturing environment where courtesy, respect, open communication and cooperation are their trademarks. They offer a broad range of movement programs for students from 22 months old to adult. A large portion of their classes are dedicated to specific or formal dance instructions with a gentle approach to the younger students.
Their Dance ‘N Play® program is a uniquely magical program for children that is a stepping stone to pre-school and is designed to make sure that young children from 22 months old to 4 years old are not starting formal dance training when they are two young. This is a one and a half long program that has been developed to stimulate the minds and bodies of young, growing children. It introduces music and movement in a very unique style while encouraging them to explore their imaginations and to develop gross motor skills at their own pace using costumes, music, props, lighting and creative movement. The classes are designed to offer social interaction in a fun and exciting environment. Dance ‘N Play® was developed by dance educators to instill a love of movement and music, in a safe and nurturing atmosphere. The students are tenderly encouraged to explore movement and imagination.
Wee… Dance ‘N Play® was adapted from the original Dance ‘N Play® to promote the milestones of the very youngest (22 months to 2.5 years old) dancers. This program is the perfect choice for a toddler’s first movement activity. Age appropriate rhythmic activities and dance along with tumbling is encouraged. Two instructors provide a nurturing atmosphere.
According to their President, Stephanie Mack, Dance It Up! is a unique studio that focuses on the technique and passion of dance, rather than trophies and titles. They offer performance opportunities that encourage greater self confidence and self esteem with healthy competition in the classroom. They offer programs that are suitable for every dancer from the recreational to the serious.
While Stephanie says she cannot choose one moment that outshines another, she does hold a special place in her heart for the finale at the end of each Spring Concert. Seeing all of her dancers glowing with confidence and great self-esteem after a phenomenal performance, truly warms her heart.
In Stephanie’s experience, the one mistake she sees dancers make is when they look down at the floor while they are performing. At Dance It Up! they always tell their students to lift their heart and their focus upward to project their feelings through their proud presence.
Stephanie’s goal for DIU this year is to bring their students to a higher level of technique and performance.
Stephanie started DIU because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of young children through greater expression, allowing them to feel what the art of dance is truly about.
Dance It Up! is not only about dance instruction, but also about performance opportunities. Dance It Up! provides those opportunities in their annual Nutcracker and Their World Is Dancing performances. They also offer seasonal Friday Night themed parties for ages 3 and up. Their Fun ‘N Fancy Birthday Parties are a big hit.
If you would like more information about Dance It Up!, visit their website at www.danceitup.com, call them at 508-839-1648 or email them at danceandplay@gmail.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Instagram and “Pin” them on Pinterest.
Anyone who has danced at Dance It Up!, with Stephanie Mack or with any of the other instructors at Dance It Up!, is invited to comment on our blog.
. . . tell their students to lift their heart and their focus upward to project their feelings through their proud presence.
