The Dance Zone in Henderson, Nevada, is a dynamic environment where children ages 2 to 18 years old come to be nurtured and to learn in the art of dance. They offer programs to their youngest dancers designed to engage and develop their love of movement. They continue the growth and development of their dancers through the use of a curriculum that allows them to provide consistency and progress in the classroom. They share that progress with their students’ parents several times a year through their “Parent Watch Weeks,” and encourage open communication between teachers and parents. Above all, they cherish their students as people and love watching them grow into amazing people.
In the opinion of Jami Artiga and Kaydee Francis, Owners, what separates their dance studio from other studios is “inclusion.” At The Dance Zone, they truly feel that they have developed programs that give every dancer an opportunity to feel amazing about themselves. They take great pride in the fact that their faculty and staff provide the same level of service and teaching whether the student dances once a week in a recital class, twice a week on a beginning level team or 5 to 6 days a week on an advanced team. The Dance Zone wants to be a home for every dancer and they work hard to provide the personal attention that helps make dancers and their parents feel like family.
At The Dance Zone, they model through behavior and they want their dancers to know the importance of community involvement. Their partnership with After-School All-Stars, and participation in National Dance Week, food drives and fundraising performances, are small ways in which they can give back to the community that has always supported them.
The Dance Zone offers classes for every age and every level. They have several programs to fit the needs of everyone – Youth Specialty Program, Recital Program, Competition Teams, and Musical Theater. The opportunities are endless!
Jami and Kaydee have many “proudest moments” but what makes them proudest is when their alumni come back and talk about how much their mentoring has helped them in their lives.
The biggest mistake Jami and Kaydee see dancers make is wanting to be like everyone else and worrying so much about that instead of worrying about their own personal growth and doing what is best for their body and development.
Their goals for this year are the same as every year – to give the kids opportunities and challenges to grow. As well as giving ourselves the same. You would think that after 14 years they would have it down, but they are always eager to fix the things that do not work and make things more cohesive and reach further into the “real world” of dance for their students.
Jami and Kaydee started The Dance Zone because of their love for the art of dance and love of kids. They set out to give a home to everyone who loved dance in their city.
The Dance Zone offers recital classes to students from 2 years old to 18 years old as well as the highly competitive program provided by the Zone. They fit in 3 to 4 convention/competitions a year as well as a recital, a nationals competition and a full length ballet.
Their Recital Program offers classes in multiple dance disciplines. The program focuses on building level appropriate technique throughout the year and culminates in an end of the year Recital at Cashman Theatre in June. Their Youth Recital Program (Combo Kids and the Hip Hop Heroes – ages 3 to 5½ years old) is designed to provide a developmental growth experience that builds fundamental skills in an environment filled with fun and play. They finish off the year in a grand way with their own individual Recital Production at Cashman Theatre in June. Tutu Cute is their specialty program for 2 and 3 Year Olds designed to start their youngest dancers (2 and 3 Year Olds ) off on the right foot! This year-long program ends with an “In Studio” recital of their very own!! They also have Open Technique Classes (Placement by audition only) which is offered from to students in Level 4 and up. These classes are designed for dancers seeking training opportunities in addition to their current class schedule. Acro, Ballet/Pointe, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical, Progressions, and Tap.
Jami and Kaydee feel that everyone should have a place to call home when they dance and The Dance Zone is that place for their students. They have dancers that have gone on to prestigious dance schools, dancing with Jo, touring in Wicked and Newsies and they also have alumni that are on missions and have become nurses, lawyers and moms. They pride themselves on the fact that they do not judge a dancer by their ability, they
The goal of Stage Struck, their musical theater training program, is to provide their students with the best Musical Theatre training possible, whether their goals are to become a Broadway actor, a Hollywood star, or just to have fun! Parental support and the students’ hard work and talent have helped shape Stage Struck into Henderson’s most comprehensive Musical Theatre training program!
If you would like more information about The Dance Zone, visit their website at www.thedancezone.com, call them at 702-897-5690 or email them at jkzone@aol.com or thedzoneteam@aol.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, connect with them on Instagram and view them on YouTube.
Anyone who has danced at The Dance Zone, with Jami Artiga, Kaydee Francis or with any of the other instructors, is invited to comment on our blog.
The biggest mistake . . . dancers make is wanting to be like everyone else and . . . instead of worrying about their own personal growth and doing what is best for their body and development.
