Darcy Fagerwold is the Owner/Director of Expressions Dance & Movement Center, located in Santee, California. At Expressions, they are proud to offer a positive and family-friendly environment dedicated to celebrating childhood and helping each student discover their unique talents and gifts. Their studio is a great place for those looking for a fun, recreational dance class as well as those looking for more serious training. A variety of classes are offered each week including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and acro-tumbling for ages three to adult. Expressions also offers competitive opportunities through their performing company program. These students perform annually at Disneyland, attend multiple conventions, competitions and master classes throughout the year, and recently travelled to New York to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
According to Darcy, they are not just a dance studio, they are a dance family, a community. Each student, no matter their ability or body type, is celebrated. All of their costumes and music are modest and age appropriate. They work to preserve the innocence of childhood. This has set them apart from other local studios. Most parents are very concerned about putting their kids in dance class after the bad press that shows like “Dance Moms” have caused. They emphasize kindness and teamwork. They believe that dance lessons teach life lessons!
At Expressions, their goal is to provide opportunities for self-expression through dance and movement in a fun, non-competitive environment. They celebrate the unique gifts of each student as they build skills, knowledge, and confidence!
Darcy says she has had many proud moments teaching over the years. The most recent example is when a student, who took her first dance class with Darcy when she started Expressions at the middle school, was accepted into the dance major program at ASU. Darcy says she has had many students over the years that went on to dance in college, but this girl was the first who graduated from Expressions, never having danced anywhere else. When the student sent Darcy a video of her first performance, and Darcy saw how much she had grown, how far she had come, Darcy’s eyes just welled up with tears. As she watched, she could see in her mind’s eye that eager but awkward and untrained girl who started with her four years ago. She had blossomed!
In Darcy’s opinion the biggest mistake many dancers make is focusing too much on achieving the big “tricks”. They want to learn extremely difficult steps before they have built the strong technical foundation that these steps require. She doesn’t care if you can kick to your head if you can’t hold your turnout and keep your hips square. To have a perfect grande battement you must first have a perfect tendu. Darcy doesn’t want to see a dancer doing an a la seconde turn combination if their toes aren’t pointed, their knees aren’t stretched, and they are all out of proper alignment. She has seen too many competition dances that are simply a string of tricks connected by a few walks and runs with no artistry whatsoever. They forget that the most amazing dancers of all time could make an audience weep with a simple gesture. A great dancer can hold an audience captive not just when they are sailing through the air in grand jete, but also when they are walking, raising their arm, or turning their face to the sky. Sure, you can do five pirouettes, but can you make the audience feel something?
Expressions’ goal this year is to reach more kids than ever. They plan to expand the studio this summer, adding a second dance room. This will allow them to double the amount of classes they offer and really develop their programs. Darcy is looking forward to seeing growth in their dancers as they will be offered more levels in each genre and have the opportunity to take more classes each week.
It has always been Darcy’s dream to start a studio. She is passionate about the art of dance and believes that quality teaching has the power to change lives. She has seen the way that dance classes can build confidence in children. Dance can give children, especially adolescent girls, the strength to hold onto who they are and not lose themselves in a world that tells them all kinds of lies about who they should be. It gives them all a much needed way to express themselves and the complicated emotions they feel as they try to navigate this crazy life! She wanted to create a safe and nurturing place for kids to develop their talent and express themselves. That’s even where the name “Expressions” came from.
Expressions started in a rented middle school classroom with five classes and 65 students in January of 2011. They moved to their current studio in Santee in August 2011. They currently have over 225 students and they are adding more every day. They are proud to have been accepted as a “More Than Just Great Dancing” affiliated studio. More Than Just Great Dancing licensed dance studios are committed to a higher standard of quality curriculum, teacher training, management practices and community involvement.
Expressions is available for birthday parties where you can celebrate your child’s birthday with dance! They provide everything, including a party favor, but the food, drinks and candles. Expressions has five popular themes – Ballet Bash, The Royal Princess Tea Party, Hawaiian Luau, Disney (character of your choice), 50’s Sock Hop – or you can create your own theme. Each package includes 90 minutes with an Expressions Dance Instructor and party activities. They also have add-ons available for an additional cost such as invitations (paper or evites), Pizza and Balloon Bouquets.
They also have some really neat events during the year, including, but not limited to, “Bring a Friend to Dance Weeks,” and “Parents Nights Out” when you drop your children off for a night of crafts. Additionally, there are other more dance related events such as celebrating National Dance Week on Saturday, April 25, 2015, the Palm Springs Dance Convention on May 2nd – 3rd, a Santee Street Fair Performance, performing at the San Diego County Fair and their Spring Recital. In all, there is a lot to be had at Expressions Dance & Movement Center.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Expressions Dance & Movement Center of Darcy Fagerwold.
If you would like to know more about the Expressions Dance & Movement Center, check them out on their website at www.expressionsdanceandmovement.com. You can also call them at 619 596 3362.or email them at info@expressionsdanceandmovent.com.
