Moore Than Dance (MTD) in Fridley, Minnesota, offers triple threat training for the whole performer. They offer classes in singing, dancing and acting for students ranging from those with special needs through professional dancers. It is More Than Dance’s mission is to provide exceptional training for all of their students, from those with special needs to professionals. By focusing on the dignity of each person, MTD’s nurturing environment will allow students to reach beyond their known potential.
Angela Mannella-Hoffman, Owner and Artistic Director, believes their studio stands out from other studios in part because they offer classes in all of the performing arts, not just dance, in an effort to train their students to be working artists. Also, they are very conscious of age-appropriateness and modesty with all of their costuming and song selection. MTD is unique in the fact that they will find a way for anyone to dance, even those in wheelchairs. This award winning studio was named the Readers’ Choice for Best Dance Studio and again for Best Place for a Children’s Party by Sun Focus readers.
Another way they stand out is they are now an official certified studio of Acrobatic Arts! Acrobatic Dance, or acro as it is commonly referred to, is the beautiful union of classic dance technique and the athleticism and precision of acrobatic elements. Often defined by unique choreography, acro dancers blend emotional expression, musicality, lines and extension with acrobatic movements in a dance context. Dancers who train in Acrobatic Arts are fearless, more flexible, stronger, and have balanced development. Studios that implement this program see dancers who have fewer accidents, with more skills, and are less apt to develop chronic injuries.
Angela’s proudest moments have occurred when she sees a student who came to her as a very timid and shy child and is able to get on stage without any fear.
According to Angela, the biggest mistake she has seen dancers make is not training in singing and acting. As a professional actor and dancer, she knows firsthand that it is vitally important for dancers to learn how to sing at an audition. There are many great dancers out there, but a dancer who can be a triple threat is a lot harder to come by and a lot easier to cast.
Angela’s biggest goals for this year are to challenge and inspire all of their students. .
She has been a professional dancer and actor since she was 8 years old. Angela was being hired to help train dancers prepare for auditioning and the skill sets that are involved with it. She was somewhat tired of running all over town to teach at different places. Finally, her husband found the space that houses MTD and with God’s grace, they opened their studio.
Every other year, Moore Than Dance puts on a full-length musical. Some of the shows in the past have been The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and Oliver! The show is great training for their students to actually get up on the stage, perform with a live orchestra and put into practice all that they have learned.
They also have four competition dance teams and a Triple Threat Performance Team. Starlight’s consists of their youngest competition dancers, Stagelights their intermediate dance competition team and Spotlights their top level competition team. The Triple Threat Performance Team is only group of singers, dancers and actors whose purpose is to perform and represent MTD throughout the community
One thing that Angela is extremely proud of is their Special Stars program. This is a program adapted for dancers with Down Syndrome and other special needs. Students learn ballet, tap and jazz in a very supportive and nurturing environment. They are paired up with a dancer “Buddy” who spends time with them throughout the year and encourages and supports them at the spring recital where they perform three dances just like the other combination classes. They always bring down the house at recital! MTD has custom ballet barre’s made for the dancers in wheelchairs. These dancers are incredible and Angela considers herself very blessed to work with them.
Additionally, they are also very proud of their Awesome Artists class which is geared toward the specific needs to dancers on the Autism spectrum. This half hour creative movement class is designed as an artistic outlet that is sensitive to the dancer’s unique needs.
MTD provides instruction and technique classes in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Strength & Conditioning, Tumbling, Leaps and Turns, including a Boys classes in Hip Hop & Tap. Additionally, they have classes in Musical Theatre and singing.
They also offer an Angelina Ballerina program where the children receive a quality dance education in a caring and fun environment, all based on the beloved Angelina Ballerina character.
In addition to their many classes for children and teens, Moore Than Dance offers many classes for adults including fitness, singing and dance classes. Their new Dance Jam & Tap includes Jammin’ to favorite tunes. The first half of the class provides an opportunity to put easy and fun choreography to music. Tap Time is the second half of the class and is aimed at bringing out the Broadway performer! Both halves are combined to create a cardio workout as well as fun and fellowship! Students of all dance and experience levels are welcome. The Adult Singing class meets for one hour once a week. Students learn how to sing correctly while using their belt and legit voices. Due to the nature of this class, students recepive individualized instruction and are, therefore, able to work on both group numbers and solos. Also, there are two adult fitness classes – Zumba Gold and Kettlebells. Zumba Gold is a lower intensity version of Zumba. It is fantastic for anyone that loves to dance! It is perfect for active older adults and beginning participants. The workout can be designed at the student’s own pace. It is fun, easy and effective and great for the soul, body and mind! Kettlebells are the ultimate all-in-one strength/conditioning and fitness tools. Kettlebells promote mobility, cardio, strength, and flexibility with a special emphasis on core strength. Regardless of age, training background, physical condition or previous injuries, most people will find kettlebells a refreshing break from normal workout routines. Kettlebells develop a strong, lean and graceful look. Kettlebell training provides energy that allows you to finish your workout “full of life.” Classes are taught by HKC certified instructors.
MTD also offers a Kettlebell/Bodyweight Fitness Club that combines strength and cardio training in one quick workout. By alternating strength exercises and quick bodyweight cardio sessions the heart keeps pumping while encouraging strength and muscle development in addition to improving core strength.
During the Summer, Moore Than Dance offers several options for their students to begin or continue their singing, dancing and acting studies. Their popular Summer “Sampler” classes allow their students to try out all different styles of dance, theatre and voice. For the beginner dancer, the classes are a great introduction. In the Summer Acting Classes, the students will learn a different aspect of the theatre each week! Between acting, props, costumes, makeup and improvisation, they learn what it takes to be a performer!
They also offer Ballet Storyland during the Summer which exposes boys and girls to the wonderfully imaginative world of ballet. Using props, costumes and stories, they explore classic ballets and learn what makes each of them unique. Their students learn proper technique in a fun and creative way.
Their Summer Dance Day Camp has several different programs. The Giraffes Can’t Dance Day Camp allows them to create, dance and perform a theater piece based on the beloved children’s book. At the Minion Mayhem Day Camp, those crazy minions get into all sorts of trouble! The students act and sing like the minions. They might even be so “Happy” that they dance! The students attending Seuss on the Loose Day Camp join the beloved Seuss characters as they sing, dance and act out their favorite stories! The Superhero Summer calls all superheroes! Their mission is to attend this camp and act out their superhero fantasies!
Each of these Summer programs perform their own theater piece for the parents on the last day of the program or camp.
Moore Than Dance has a 4-day Triple Threat Performance Team workshop that is mandatory for anyone wishing to audition for the Triple Threat Team. They use this workshop as the audition and selection process for the performance group.
They also offer the opportunity to audition for and perform a mini-version of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. They perform select scenes, songs and dances from the show and then perform them for friends and family on the last day. This program is great for all students who love to act, sing and dance!
If you would like more information about Moore Than Dance, visit their website atmoorethandance.com, call them at (763) 432-0950 or email them at angela@moorethandance.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook and watch them on YouTube.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Angela Mannella-Hoffman of Moore Than Dance.
