The Owner and Director of New Movement Dance Center (NMDC) in Howell, New Jersey, Dawn Clayton, describes her studio as a wonderful outlet for dancers to get away from the pressures of the outside world and focus on having fun while exploring the art of dance. According to Dawn, they are committed to providing their students with a firm foundation in various dance forms. Their main goal is to promote the growth of each individual student by providing a nurturing yet structured environment. They believe and know that each dancer is an individual. They take pride in focusing and working on what works best for them to excel in the arts.
Dreams start at NMDC. Watch dancers grow and develop The Love of Dance all while building friendships and memories that last a life time. They offer classes for children from 2 ½ years old and up. Those classes include Creative Movement, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, Contemporary, Pointe, Jump & Turns, Hip-Hop, Tumbling, Musical Theatre, Break Dancing, and Zumba. They now offer two All Boys Classes – All Boys Break Dancing and All Boys Tumbling.
In Dawn’s opinion, what separates NMDC from the rest is their very incredible faculty. She takes great pride in her staff from the office workers to the teachers. They all bring so much more to the table then what is asked of them. Their teachers come from a long list of exclusive and extensive training. Their resumes speak for themselves. They have professionals that know the hard work and dedication it takes to excel in this field. They exude that passion into their students creating a fire in their dancers that you do not normally see. Their dedication to the arts is contagious and it shows in their dancers. At NMDC, they also realize that as dance teachers they play a huge role in a child’s life. They realize that they have the power to make an everlasting impression on their younger youth. They intend to fill their students with moments of love, happiness, hard work and dedication so that when that student steps into the real world they have the tools they need to succeed.
Although she has often had proud moments as a coach, Dawn always says that she cannot quite pinpoint one exact moment or specific time. Each and every day is a gift. It is so rewarding to see all the accomplishments of her past and present students. This is 
exactly why she started this studio in the first place. To see a dancer in the beginning of the year and watch them grow from week to week, and improve from month to month, those are her proudest moments. There could not possibly be just one moment for her because her students amaze her with their determination to grow and work hard every single day from their tiniest dancers to their teens. They all bring such joy to her life everyday and she is beyond blessed for that.
The biggest mistake Dawn has seen dancers make is not believing in themselves. Not just in dance, but in life. You must trust in yourself and believe you can do it or it will not happen. You cannot fill your head with negativity – it will get you nowhere. Nowadays, students take out their lives in a world where social media, YouTube, and television shows have taken over and at the touch of their finger tips they can unlock an entire world of videos and photos of these amazing dancers. This sometimes can be discouraging. Dawn’s biggest advice to them would be to not compete against anyone else in this world, but just yourself. The only dancer you should be comparing yourself to is the dancer you were yesterday. You must work hard every day to become a better you. Never allow anyone else’s opinion of you to change how you feel about yourself. Keep pushing yourself to be the best you can be.
Dawn’s goals this year for New Movement is to continue pushing their dancers to be the best they can be. NMDC is committed to instilling confidence in each and every dancer who walks through their doors. Being they are a newer dance studio and only in their third season, they must strive to have continued growth not only in their dancers, but their business too.
As a child growing up, dance was an outlet for Dawn that helped her let go of every day struggles. Also, she has always looked up to each and every one of her dance teachers. They have all had such a huge impact on her life. They all made her feel so loved and were such positive influences in her life as was dance itself. As Dawn continued dancing throughout her childhood, she knew that she wanted to open up her own studio one day and share her love and passion for the arts with others, as well as be a positive, loving instructor whose students feel they could come to her for advice not only on dance, but also on everyday life.
New Movement Dance Center is a family run business. They pride themselves on making all of their customers feel like they are part of their family. They are currently in their third season. They teach dance classes to children ages 2 ½ and up.
New Movement has three dance companies – a Technique Company (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical), Tumble Company and a Hip Hop Company. Auditions are required for membership in either team. Their dance company is one of a kind, they don’t only compete they give back to their community. NMDC Dance Company has performed several times for those in need of medical help. They also have held their very own fundraiser for one of their dance moms who had cancer to help raise awareness and money to help make her life a little less stressful while she went through a hard time in her life.
At NMDC, whether you are a recreational dancer who comes once a week or a company member who is there several hours a week, they teach each and every child that the sky is truly the limit for them and there is no stopping them. If they put their mind to it, they can do anything.
If you would like more information about New Movement Dance Center, visit their website at NewMovementDanceCenter.com, call them at (732) 861-1301 or email them at newmovement12@gmail.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and view them on YouTube.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Dawn Clayton of New Movement Dance Center.
My daughter started at NMDC when she was 3yrs old in the beginner class (Creative Movement). Within a year of dedication from the teachers she has advanced to become a company member (mini technique jazz).This year she has advanced to tumbling as a company member. For my family the program/structure that is being taught at NMDC shows from the progress she has made and continues to make. NMDC makes you feel like family from the time you walk in the door. There is no other dance studio I would recommend for your little ones to start their love for dance with.
#FOREVER A NMDC FAMILY MEMBER
I have 2 daughters that have been with NMDC from the very beginning & with Miss Dawn for many years prior to that. She truly does Instill confidence into all of her dancers. She has been teaching my daughter who is now 17 since she was 7, with a Hip Hop Summer class. She has always & continues to push her to do & be her very best. Through the years she has enjoyed learning many styles of dance from Miss Dawn such as Tap, Lyrical, Jazz & Break Dancing. She joined her Hip Hop Company in 2014 & has had so much fun competing with her team mates at several regional & national competitions for the past 2 years. My youngest is 10 and has been learning Hip Hop from Miss Dawn since she was 4, she absolutely loves it & feels like she’s at her other home when she is at the studio. She joined Tots Hip Hop company in 2015 & has had a blast creating memories with all her friends. NMDC is more than just a dance studio it is family. Thank you to Miss Dawn,Mr Markus and the amazing teaching staff for all that they do for our children. They are learning skills & building self confidence all at the same time. We love Love our dance family.
My daughter has been with New Movement Dance Center for 3 years and has had Dawn as a hip hop teacher prior to her school and I can tell you she is one awesome hip hop teacher. She recognized a talent my daughter had for hip hop and she worked her in developing her into a hip hop competitor. You will be pushed and challenged but all worth it. Love Dawn and the other teachers for their dedication. Everyone is like family and we are are so happy to be a part of NMDC.