Top 50 Dance Studios in the USA to Watch in 2015 (21-30)

This list is meant to highlight some of the awesome dance studios throughout the United States and in no way is meant to be a comprehensive list.  We here at BDancewear.com think that if you are a dance studio anywhere teaching people to dance you are doing something amazing and deserve recognition!  This is a small list of some of the studios that we think are going above and beyond.  However if your studio isn’t on this list and you think it should be feel free to leave a comment or email Brittany@BDancewear.com and we would love to write an article about your studio.

30. Just Plain Dancin’ & Co – Just Plain Dancin’ & Co (“JPD”) is in its 33^rd year serving dance students in the Inland Empire of Southern California and beyond. It is a family owned business whose director, Terry Schulke, has personally taught thousands of students to achieve success not only in dance but in their personal growth as well. They offer classes to those three years and up in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop as well as vocal. It is the goal of the JPD staff to provide excellence in training and outstanding modeling to ensure your child’s positive experience at their studio. The staff at JPD is top in the business with award winning choreographers and technicians. They have experienced Master Teachers who train at conventions and perform with Modern Companies, as well as traveling the world performing, teaching and choreographing. The staff meets regularly and are in communication at all times to review each specific class. They also discuss each student’s improvements and to ensure they are in the correct classes for their ability. Additionally, JPD has a store/service that was created so that their students would be able to purchase high-quality pre-owned costumes. JPD Costume Rack is family owned and operated. They have been in the “dancing business” for almost 30 years. They understand that costumes can be a great expense for dancers. JPD Costume Rack was created so that their students would be able to purchase high quality, pre-owned costumes. Most of the costumes have been custom designed and are of higher quality than those in catalogs. They have multiples of many costumes and may be able to get more of some costumes. They hope you find the special costume.

29. Cutting Edge Dance Center – Whether you are looking for a dance studio for a beginner or for an experienced dancer who wants to compete, then Cutting Edge Dance and Acro, is the place to be. They offer a wide variety of styles and levels of dancing plus acrobatics. They have classes in Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, POM’s, Hula, plus Leaps and Turns and Stretch and Strength. They offer a variety of programs for the recreational dancer, taking one class a week to the 20+ hours per week of the serious competitor and every one in between. They went to the 2014 National’s at the beautiful Glacier Canyon Lodge in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The auditions for the Company will be held at the end each camp. There were two locations – Castle Rock and Arvada. The topics were Dance & Acro, Drama/Musical, Company Choreographer.

28. Edge Studio of Dance – Edge Studio of Dance (“ESD”), a 6,000 square foot dance studio in Canton, MA, is committed to assisting each student in building positive self-esteem, confidence and character as we teach the love of dance. Their students will be offered a positive dance experience through promotion of dedication and discipline with artistic standards of excellence. Through the study of dance students will develop creativity which will excite the mind, move the spirit, and awaken dreams. If one can move, think, and feel, one can dance. Edge Studio’s Program begins in September and ends in June with an annual recital. The recital offers their dancers the opportunity to demonstrate their love for dance, new accomplishments, talent and hard work. EDS offers over 40 hours of recreational classes each week. The focus of these classes is on form, discipline, proper dance and acrobatic technique, team work and fun! There are many classes to select from so choose one that fits their schedule best! At the request of the Boston Athletic Association, EDS showed their “Boston Strong” performance at the Tribute event on Tuesday, April 15th. The Tribute honored those affected by last year’s events including those who lost their lives, survivors and first responders. EDS also played at the John Hancock Sports Expo and in the International Pavillion. EDS was honored to be part of this tribute!!!

27. Triple Threat Performing Arts – Triple Threat is a “family” affair in every way. First of all, the three co-directors are sisters and their mother, father, brother and fiancé all work there.  More importantly they are described as family by both their students and their students’ parents. In addition to teaching these kids to dance, they seem to really care about and have created a loving and accepting environment for them. The Sisters always welcome their students and their families as they come through the door. The students often come to the sisters for advice for everything under the sun, not just dance questions. One student told the sisters, “Thank you for making me a better dancer and person.” These are a few of the examples of how the Sisters have connected with them. As a result, their students seem to be more willing and even want to perform for the Sisters. They are moving into a bigger space this year with two large dance room with new sprung dance floors and Marley floors in the dance rooms. With the larger space, they are able to add  more classes such as Pointe and extra technique classes. The Sisters believe that patience and understanding is the key to success for every dancer. They also want their students to understand the term for what their body is doing The Sisters want them to be able to physically and verbally understand the steps. The Sisters have seen many dancers that don’t know any dance vocabulary. They always tell their staff to make sure when they demonstrate a step to repeat the word and have the kids repeat it back, too.

26. TDS Dance and Acrobatics – The Dance Studio (“TDS”) provides an excellent dance education in a positive learning environment that emphasizes teamwork, respect and responsibility.  The combination of their expert faculty and their encouraging learning environment helps to develop their dancer’s self confidence and technical skills which remain with their dancers for a lifetime. Located in North Easton, they are so proud to be one of the most reputable dance studios in Massachusetts. Established in 1981, The Dance Studio provides a well rounded dance education and an opportunity for your child to discover the joys of dance. Whether dancing just for the fun of it, or training for a dance career in mind, they do their best to help all of their students. The Dance Studio offers one of the finest dance programs for the competitive dancer in New England. They are pleased to offer you over thirty years of competitive dance experience and dance excellence. They have been teaching and training dancers since 1980, and they are well known and respected by any dance professionals. Their Dance Companies curriculum is for the motivated dancer age 6-18 who is looking for top notch training as well as more performance and competition experiences than is offered to the recreational dancer. Any of their former dancers have gone on to study dance at the college level and have enjoyed professional careers in dance. Their company dancers are from Easton, Sharon, Canton, Stoughton, Milton, Dedham, Newton, Needham, Randolph, Mansfield, Norton, Braintree, Hanover, Bridgewater, Brockton, Lakeville, Arlington, Taunton, Raynham, Attleboro and Rhode Island. TDS has brand new state of the art studios. The new studios boast 20 foot ceilings, professional Marley floors, spacious dancers’ break rooms, offices, and beautiful waiting areas for the parents.

25. Tempe Dance Academy – Tempe Dance Academy in Tempe, Arizona, is one of our Top 50 Dance Studios in the United States. Holly Manville-Cook, an instructor and daughter of the owner/director of Tempe Dance, believes their studio stands out because it is known for its strong technique and versatility. The dancers train many, many hours in ballet, and their jazz has a strong ballet/technical emphasis. They also tend to compete in many styles in the different genres and every choreographer adds a different twist. The choreography is always executing the dancer’s strong technique through the movement. The Tempe Dance Academy has achieved an excellent reputation in the dance world because of their stress on excellence in dance education and the dedication of the teaching faculty. As for accomplishments of their students, the list is endless. Their students have won hundreds of titles, awards, scholarships and trophies. Tempe Dance students may be seen working professionally on the stage performing or as a faculty member in many classrooms. All of these accomplishments speak of the quality of the dance education received at The Tempe Dance Academy. No matter why a student changes studios, Holly believes it is important to remain a good, positive influence and maintain good relations between the studios. She believes they all have the same goal – they all want to share their love of dance with their students.

24. Noretta Dunworth School of Dance – The National award winning Noretta Dunworth School of Dance  (“NDSD”), offers classes in Ballet, (Cecchetti,Vaganova, and non-syllabus), Pointe for advanced students, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, Acrobatics and Gymnastics. Noretta Dunworth began teaching at the age of 12 in 1940. She started out teaching in her parents basement with just a few of the neighborhood children. Her “school” continued to grow into what it is today, 74 years later, one of the most honored studios in the country. Noretta’s greatest success is in the quality and consistency of her successful students. Her students now have their own dance studios throughout the United States and Canada and have been successful themselves. A Dance Masters of America member for nearly 50 years, and a Cecchetti Council of America member, Noretta is still teaching and producing champion and professional dancers. The Noretta Dunworth Dancers can be seen on Broadway, on tour all over America and in Europe, in music videos, in Professional Ballet Companies, Radio City Productions, Rockettes, Disney, Busch Gardens, Cruise Lines, Television, Modeling, Pageants, and Competitions. The NDSD Competition Team is a nationally acclaimed competition team recognized for excellence in technique and performance in all genres of dance. The team is comprised of dancers ranging from ages 6 to 18 years old competing in the mini, junior, teen and senior divisions. In addition to the NDSD’s core curriculum, the competition team trains during several elite level classes and rehearsal blocks to prepare for the 4 to 5 regional and national competitions and conventions annually.

23. Creative Dance Center – Dancers on the Creative Dance Center Competition Team (CDC*CT), headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, compete at the regional, national, and world levels.   Including the Ashburn and South Riding studio locations,   approximately 195 boys and girls ranging in age from 4 to 18 compete in Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Open, Musical Theater and Contemporary categories.   Although its primary focus is to provide a strong dance education, the CDC*CT program also stresses the principles of teamwork:  working together towards mutual goals, building positive team spirit, and supporting fellow dancers.  In addition to competing, dancers are provided opportunities to volunteer and/or perform for various charitable community organizations.  In 2014, the Creative Dance Center Competition Team won 6 World Championships at the World Dance Championships.  CDC*CT earned its way to the World Championships by qualifying with top score in a division at regional and national competitions held by the members of the Star Dance Alliance, including Nexstar Talent and Starpower.  In addition to the world championships, CDC*CT earned two Power Ranking appearances on the regional level, five Victory Cups, and 39 National Championship Titles at the 2014 Nexstar National Dance Competition in Sandusky, Ohio.

22. Kincade Dance Industries – Kincade Dance Industries (“KDI”) provides excellence in dance classes for dancers that want to dance an hour a week or dancers that want to “live at the studio.” They have classes that are for all boys, hip hop and many amazing opportunities. KDI’s staff is deeply committed to training the next generation of dancers. It is KDI’s desire to give each dancer the technique, ballet instruction and incredible opportunities to perform that will benefit them throughout their dance career. In July, 2013, KDI’s Competition Program won a National Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada! They had the highest scores of over 4,000 dances. Steve and Gigi Zirbes won Dance Teacher of the Year and, their Hip Hop Team won as a judges’ favorite!  The Competition Division Staff includes ballet masters, Pilate’s instructors and experts in multiple disciplines of dance including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, musical theatre and more. Steve infuses his passion for training and contemporary dance throughout the studio. All of their staff received special awards this season for everything from Judges Choice, Entertainment to Top Choreography. Steve is driven by a passion for excellence and a desire to teach his dancers to care about the community around them. In their first year they collected PJ’s and Slippers for kids impacted by Hurricane Sandy, they participated in Toys for Tots, collected funds and participated in a Dance Project for the Randy Shaver Cancer Research Fund and collected toys for the Children’s Hospital. Two of these projects were initiated by their dancers! One organization they support is “Dance Your Dream.” It is a program that provides dance education to children who cannot participate in mainstream dance education due to physical, mental or emotional disabilities.

21. Centerstage Dance Academy – Centre Stage Dance Academy’s (“CSDA”) mission is to provide professional levels of dance to students of all ages. Their dancers are given the opportunity to learn various styles and experience all areas of dance in a positive learning environment. While choreographing a production for another studio, CSDA’s Owner and Artistic Director Allison Hooper believed that her career was at a stalemate. She had always wanted to open her own studio and this seemed like the opportune time to do so. Almost immediately, she started the process to create Centre Stage Dance Academy and in March 2002 they opened their doors. They started with a small 1000 square foot building with 22 students. That quickly morphed into a larger, 4500 square foot building with students overflowing out the doors. CSDA is proud to offer their community a unique artistic experience.  They promote both proper technique and healthy lifestyle. Their well-rounded staff was carefully selected from professionals working in the business. CSDA offers a variety of unique performing experiences each year, specifically in its annual recital held at the Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College. Through CSDA’s affiliation with Centre Stage, Inc., their students have the chance to participate in main stage Broadway productions. In addition, they have the opportunity to compete. In their first year, CSDA’s team was honored with two Grand National Championship Titles. Not only are their students offered the usual weekly classes, they are given opportunities to take master classes throughout their training.  These classes feature noted working professionals as teaches. Allison and CSDA’s staff are often asked to choreograph for other well-known venues.

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