According to Tony Azzaro, the Director of Freestyle Dance Academy (“FDA”) in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, their studio is “where your love of dance comes first.” FDA’s mission is to not only teach the technique behind dance to their students, but also to show them how to embrace their passion for dance.
Dance is an art form at FDA, not a competitive endeavor. They do not encourage their students to be better than one another, but to learn how to express themselves through dance and then have a conversation with one another. Every student is challenged to become better than themselves, not better than others. It is Tony’s belief that dance is a form of individual, artistic expression. Their goal is that every student leaves Freestyle Dance Academy with a sense of pride and confidence as an individual person and as a dancer. That being said, Tony feels every dancer has individual goals that are different. At FDA, Tony and his instructors will do all they can possibly do to help their dancers reach whatever goals they have their eyes on, whether they are only dancing to gain confidence, to have fun, to improve athletic performance, to obtain a college scholarship or to become a professional.
Tony encourages anyone interested in joining their studio, no matter what their ultimate goal may be, to make sure they speak to the cast at Freestyle Dance Academy. FDA takes pride in their ability to give each one of their students the individual attention they deserve. As a team, their dancers, staff and parents can reach their goals.
Additionally, Tony would like to share his genuine excitement for Freestyle Dance Academy. He looks forward to establishing a beacon for dance – a place that any person who loves dancing can come to and enjoy the art. FDA is about education. It is about teaching their students while, at the same time, feeding their passion for dance. Tony hopes that Freestyle Dance Academy can be a stepping stone for young dancers to go onto higher education in the dance world and beyond. He looks forward to doing his personal best to see that every student leaves FDA a better dancer, performer and individual. He also realizes that for each dancer, those levels are different. Not all are meant to be Mia Michaels or Shane Sparks, nor do all desire to be. That being said, everyone will leave Freestyle Dance Academy proud to be a dancer, in whatever capacity that may mean for them personally.
In Tony’s opinion, their studio is different from others because they are a family. They employ 
only the highest quality teachers, but keep their classes smaller, so that every dancer gets to connect with their classmates and instructors. FDA’s focus is developing the young dancer, and allowing them to learn how to express themselves individually as dance artists and people. Their dance studio focuses on a unique curriculum including: Hip-Hop, Breaking (or “Breakdancing”), Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Special Needs and more. They also offer drop-in dance classes for adults!
His proudest moments as a dance coach occur anytime their dancers perform after months of hard work on a show or performance. He is immensely proud when they step out in front of an audience and perform like seasoned professionals. Their kids never cease to amaze him. The particular moment that comes to mind was Freestyle Dance Academy’s halftime performance for Temple Football at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tony is a Temple Owl himself, so that performance had even more of a personal connection for him.
Tony believes that young dancers worry too much about trying to emulate or be like the other popular dancers out in the world. They forget that those dancers developed their own style and voice by focusing on themselves and their movement. According to Tony, dancers need to learn their technique and their movement, and then discover what they have to say with it. The best dancer should be themselves, not be like others. It is fine to respect, appreciate and find inspiration in other talented dancers of all levels; but figure out who you are, and then show the world.
Freestyle Dance Academy is still young, so they are aiming to continue to grow throughout 2016. Also, they always have the goal of watching their dancers’ growth continue, along with inspiring them to share their talent with others. They also hope to make some memories with another year of successful performances!
The idea of creating a community where dancers of all styles, skill levels and personalities can share their passion of dance together is what caused Tony to found Freestyle Dance Academy. Tony has always loved performing and entertaining, but there is something special about when a young dancer has that “light bulb” moment, and then you see them take dance and run with it.
Freestyle Dance Academy hosts “Open Studio” nights once every month, where local dancers can gather to practice, socialize and relax. You can follow Freestyle Dance Academy on Facebook, at Freestyle Dance Academy PA, to find out the dates for Open Studios.
Freestyle Dance Academy loves being involved in performances, charity work, workshops, etc. Their cast and dancers love to be out in the community, so give them a call!
FDA thanks to all of their supporters, 2015 was a year of recognition in the Bucks County area for Freestyle Dance Academy. They were voted “Most Loved Dance Studio” by Hulafrog.com, and One of the Best Dance Studios by The Intelligencer. Being acknowledged in this way means the world to Freestyle Dance Academy, because it comes from those in the community. FDA thanks everyone for their constant support and love.
Tony points out that it is that time of year again. Bucks Happening has opened the voting for the Best Dance Studio in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Tony and FDA hope you will help Freestyle Dance Academy reach #1 on the 2016 Bucks Happening List, by accessing http://bucks.happeningmag.com/happeninglist and selecting “Freestyle Dance Academy.” Feel free to share the link as well, and help us spread the word about Freestyle Dance Academy to the Warrington, Chalfont and Doylestown dancers!
If you would like more information about Freestyle Dance Academy, visit their website at www.freestyledancepa.com, call them at 215-822-6313 or email them at freestyledanceacademypa@gmail.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FreestyleDanceAcademyPA), follow them on Twitter @FreestyleDAPA, view them on YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/FreestyleDAPA) and connect with them on Instagram @freestyledanceacademy.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Tony Azzaro of Freestyle Dance Academy.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
