We recently interviewed Lori Montague of Elements Dance Factory in Upper Southampton, Pennsylvania. Lori believes Elements Dance Factory is different from other dance studio most in that they treat all of our students and families as family members. Most of their clientele will say you that 
they feel as though they are treated as family because the studio offers such a personal touch to each student and/or parent. The studio understands that there are both recreational dancers and competitive dancers so they gear their curriculum to cater to both without putting too much focus on either aspect. Lori believes their tot program is the most imaginative program in the area, teaching the youngest of dancers to appreciate the structure of a dance program, while encouraging the love of performing arts.
The instructors encourage each student to strive to be the best that they can be “personally.” They tell them not to compare their level of ability to others, but realize your own potential and strive to surpass your own goals. The teachers motivate their dancers by pointing out the more accomplished dancers and their level of commitment – the amount of time these “more accomplished” spend on their training and show that they reap the rewards of that work by acknowledging their accomplishments weekly.
Lori says their proudest moments come from watching someone’s hard work reap rewards and acknowledgments. Winning Overall High Scores at a competition helps to validate the instructor’s work, but also shows the students that the teachers also are committed to the student’s success. The most rewarding experience of all that the teachers experience is watching the unity of their dancers as they each strive to achieve the same goal, the sportsmanship, and the compassion for each other as they demonstrate the epitome of teamwork. It is believed that this outlook stems from a positive role model, which is what the studio strives to achieve.
Lori says that the biggest mistake she sees dancers make when they are competing is believing that they have a higher skill level than they actually have. Many dancers believe that their skill level is higher than what their skill level actually is, and they want to be moved up in classes, etc. In order to fix the problem, each dancer should focus on their own capabilities, learn from the better dancers, and understand that repetition in a technique based class will only produce a better performer and technically sound dancer. The biggest mistake is the belief that you can be a top-notch performer without focusing on ballet and technique based classes.
There are some items that are “must have dancewear” that every dancer needs. They need leotards so that teachers can focus on body lines, tights to give a dancer a more professional, clean appearance, and dance shoes that fit. The proper dance shoe will help a dancer to see the difference between a sickled foot, and a pointed toe. Tighter fitting dance clothes are a necessity so that each student may move about unencumbered by the shifting of loose clothing.
Elements Dance Factory’s goals for this year are to continue to offer a positive environment to our students and families. The school will continue to strive to be the best at what it does understanding that there are many studios in which to choose from. It strives to never be complacent, and listen to the needs of its clientele. The studio would like to continue to produce a “winning” competitive team so that its students reap the acknowledgment of being an accomplished team. The instructors will 
continue to find an acceptable level of competition for all students interested in competing, understanding that there are many different levels of dancers, but they will not exclude any child from the experience of competition if that is what they desire. Their goal is to never be exclusive, but rather to be all-inclusive. No child should be overlooked based on ability. The instructors firmly believe that with the proper training every single child may reap performance rewards of some kind. The studio also has a Company Team where they make efforts to give back to the community by putting on performances that benefit charitable institutions. The studio director and the students give of their time rehearsing all year to put on a performance where all proceeds benefit various charities. The goal is to help our students recognize the less fortunate and make every effort possible to contribute to their cause in some way.
The founders of Elements Dance Factory came from a highly competitive studio where the focus was on winning rather than on the individual dancer. The founders wanted to create a warm, nurturing environment for children so that they too may experience all of the positivity that comes from the competitive dance world. There are many positive things that come from competitive dancing; however, those rewards are not restricted to simply winning. The teachers were also committed to recognizing the recreational dancer as an important aspect of the industry. Many will never go on to pursue a career in dance; however exposure to dance, in any capacity, lends itself for all ages to seek an outlet and a place to express themselves.
If you have experience with Elements Dance Factory or Lori Montague please leave a comment below about your experience!
