In the words of Amy Carsten, Owner and Director of Fort Wayne School of Dance (FWSD), their studio is an outlet for students to come escape life and fulfill their passion and proudly serves Fort Wayne, North East Indiana, Ohio, New Haven and Leo. FWSD is a family-oriented dance studio in Fort Wayne, Indiana, that offers classes for all ages. Their dance instructors are very well-qualified with over 20 years of experience in the movement arts.
Their qualified dance teachers offer a range of instruction levels to dancers of all age groups at their studio in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They offer instruction in Pre-Combo, Ballet, Pointe, Hip Hop, Poms, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre, Gymnastics, Mommy & Me Classes, and Fitness classes including Ninjitsu and Martial Arts Classes, Piloxing.
Amy believes that FWSD is different because they focus on the student and all aspects of being a human. They focus on pride, respect and humility. They strive not only on the technical functions in dance, but also on the emotional art it brings in their lives. They compete ,but they focus on the outcome of their students going into the world and leaving their safe haven.
Her proudest moment as a director/instructor occurred when they were invited to attend the
2016 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, with Cris Judd as their choreographer. Fort Wayne had students ranging from 7 years to 19 years old who danced in the program at the Bowl. They were in rehearsal with many other studios and schools and they were amazing! They acted with professionalism, respect, and integrity. Their parents were so proud of how they performed and attentive during rehearsal. They never complained and acted as if they were on a paid professional job. I was so proud of their students caring for each other and the guiding of one another. The parents noticed all of it and saw that not only are they learning proper dance technique and etiquette, they were learning life skills.
In Amy’s opinion, the biggest mistake she has seen dancers make is not working their core. Many dancers over compensate by using hip or leg muscles to take the place of not using their core which results in injuries. Planks are the best way to safely work your core – squeeze and hold.
Fort Wayne School of Dance’s goal is to perform for Pope Francis. Amy says they have a beautiful, soulful performance that they would love to share with him. They are spreading the word, including posting their desire on Facebook, and would love to bring their art to him. They have a lyrical piece they have prepared to dance for him called Oceans. It gives Amy goose bumps every time she watches it.
Amy purchased Fort Wayne School of Dance in 2001 because of her dancers. She and her husband took on this joint adventure. According to Amy, it has been such a great retreat for her girls. She says that her girls love the passion and the lifelong friends they have made because of the studio. It is now a part of them and their family. Amy and her husband now have five children and they all participate in the recital.
FWSD’s studio has many wonderful instructors from their ballet teacher who performed with the Louisville Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet, to artful , soulful teachers that have been with her since she took over the studio. They have an instructor who is the King of Pop-N Lock, College Cheerleader, and many returning students that are now part of their staff. She feels blessed to have them and call them her staff. Because of them, their students take with them not only competing technique, but the passion and heart of dance. She is a mother of 5 , married 22 years and very proud that FWSD has continued to be a place where students can be themselves since 1969 when it first opened under Nancy McKaig.
If you would like more information about Fort Wayne School of Dance, visit their website at www.fwschoolofdance.com, call them at (260) 410-5786 or email them at soontobesaint@yahoo.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, check them out on Google+ and connect with them on LinkedIn.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Amy Carsten of Fort Wayne School of Dance.
