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The Benefits of Dance Classes for Children

The Benefits of Dance Classes for Children: Essential Life Skills and Why Parents Should Invest in Them

Dance classes can offer many benefits for children, including the development of essential life skills that may not be taught in other sports or activities. Here are some reasons why parents should consider investing in dance for their child:
  1. Encourages creativity: Dance is a form of artistic expression that allows children to explore their creativity and experiment with movement. This can foster imagination and encourage children to think outside of the box.
  2. Develops physical skills: Dance classes can help children develop flexibility, coordination, strength, and balance. These skills can improve overall physical health and may carry over into other sports or activities.
  3. Teaches discipline and dedication: Regular dance practice requires discipline and dedication. Children learn the importance of setting goals, working hard, and persevering in order to improve their skills and achieve their objectives.
  4. Enhances social skills: Dance classes often involve partnering or group work, which can help children develop social skills such as communication, cooperation, and teamwork. They also learn to respect others’ personal space and boundaries.
  5. Improves confidence: Performing in front of others can be intimidating, but dance classes provide a safe and supportive environment for children to gain confidence in their abilities. Children can learn to trust themselves, take risks, and express themselves with confidence.
  6. Promotes self-expression: Dance is a form of self-expression that allows children to communicate their emotions and ideas through movement. This can help children develop a sense of identity and self-awareness.
  7. Offers a unique cultural experience: Dance styles often reflect the cultural heritage of different regions, countries, or ethnic groups. Participating in dance classes can expose children to diverse cultures and traditions, and can promote cultural awareness and appreciation.
Overall, investing in dance classes for your child can offer many benefits beyond the physical exercise. Dance classes can help children develop creativity, discipline, social skills, confidence, self-expression, and cultural awareness, which are all valuable life skills that can serve them well throughout their lives.

We love hearing why families choose Dance Extreme year after year – what’s your reason?

Summer Dance Camp

Dance Extreme: Where Creativity, Technique, and Passion Meet

Dance Extreme: Where Creativity, Technique, and Passion Meet

Dance is an art form that has captivated people for centuries. It has the power to express emotions, tell stories, and bring people together. If you’re looking for the best option to start your child’s dance journey, look no further than Dance Extreme.
As you walk through the doors of Dance Extreme, you’re greeted with the sound of music and the rhythmic beat of dancing feet. The air is filled with the energy and excitement of students eager to learn and grow. The studio is alive with the sound of laughter, the hum of conversation, and the soft feel of dance shoes against their feet making them feel like they belong.
As they step into their first class, they feel the support and encouragement of the Dance Extreme community. The teacher greets them with a warm smile and welcomes them to the class. The other students smile and wave, eager to make new friends.
Through the movements and the music, your child discovers the joy of dance. They learn to express themselves through movement and to connect with their body in new ways. They discover the discipline and dedication that dance requires, as well as the creativity and expression that it allows.
The teachers at Dance Extreme are experienced and knowledgeable, and they are committed to helping each child develop their skills and reach their full potential. They create a supportive and encouraging environment that fosters growth and learning, and they are always available to answer questions and offer guidance.
At Dance Extreme, every child is unique and takes their own path through dance. Some will dance for the love of dance, exploring different styles and techniques. Others will pursue dance as a career, honing their skills and preparing for the stage. And still, others will dance for the life skills and mindfulness they will learn to help them grow, such as confidence, focus, and resilience.
Dance Extreme is the perfect place to awaken the greatness in your child. With experienced teachers, a supportive community, and a commitment to excellence, Dance Extreme offers a dance journey like no other. Come and see for yourself the magic of dance, and watch your child’s passion and potential soar.

Our daughter just loves going to Dance Extreme. She can be very timid and shy and everyone there has been so incredible with her. From the front staff to the instructors, everyone is so incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. We always recommend the studio to anyone we know who is interested in dance for their little ones(or older ones). Looking forward to many more years of dance and fun with you all

Shannon Saunders

My daughter is currently attending and is loving it!
The positive and nurturing atmosphere is excellent and EmilyMay is responding very well.

I highly recommend this dance school.

thank you again 💓

Daniel Jewlal

We love hearing why families choose Dance Extreme year after year – what’s your reason?

What is Acro?

What is Acro?

At the heart of acrobatics class (or “acro” for short) is a fusion of strength and flexibility training combined with dance skills. In our acro classes at Dance Extreme, we strive for our students to build their range of motion with specific movements that will translate into more versatile dancing. With an equal emphasis on the upper body and lower body, acro students learn how to develop their physical strength and then apply that strength to their flexibility. As acro classes progress, they also sometimes incorporate partner work, allowing our dancers to gain experience with the weight-sharing and support of a fellow dancer.

Most students find that their acrobatic abilities give them a better sense of control and body awareness as they advance in their dance training. Their balance improves—literally and figuratively—the longer they study acro! With that in mind, we often recommend acro as an excellent complement to ballet and jazz classes. And of course, our top-most priority in all acro classes is safety! We only introduce safe and developmentally-appropriate movement from our expert teachers.

Our daughter just loves going to Dance Extreme. She can be very timid and shy and everyone there has been so incredible with her. From the front staff to the instructors, everyone is so incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. We always recommend the studio to anyone we know who is interested in dance for their little ones(or older ones). Looking forward to many more years of dance and fun with you all ♥️♥️

Shannon Saunders

We love hearing why families choose Dance Extreme year after year – what’s your reason?

First Time Dropping Off At Recital? Read This First!

First Time Dropping Off At Recital? Read This First!

Recital is almost here and for many Dance Extreme parents, that means dropping their young dancer off at the back door of the Grand Theatre for the very first time.

Feeling a little stressed about the drop-off?

Dance Mom Melissa shares her experience and gives new (-ish) dance parents a bit of advice starting with…

Relax and breathe…

The first time you take part in any new experience can be extremely overwhelming as you are constantly concerned about what may happen. This is particularly concerning when the new experience involves your child. I can recall these feelings clearly when my daughter was preparing for her first Dance Extreme recital. I remember being in complete shock when I was told that I was to just “drop her at the door of the Grand Theatre and then pick her up when it was over.” The worry of the unknown and fear of what could happen was crushing. However, then I remembered that this is not the first time that these instructors have coordinated a recital!! They have a long and successful history that is maintained by strong organizational skills and Extreme care for the students that attend their programs.

The volunteers that help with dress rehearsal and on the day of recital are given instructions that help to keep the events running safely and smoothly. As well there are also a number of experienced dancers that help act as an example for the younger ones. I can specifically recall asking my daughter how it was and she expressed her enthusiasm and relayed how much fun she had. This experience allowed for her to express her independence in a way she had not previously as well as pride in showing that the practice and effort she had put into class culminated with a wonderful performance.

I hope the knowledge that you are not alone in feeling some anxiety about leaving your child for the first time at recital brings some relief and helps to you relax and enjoy the experience. Your positive attitude will certainly help your child to relax and enjoy their experience that much more and that is really what this is all about.

Melissa Nash

DE mom since 2013

We love hearing why families choose Dance Extreme year after year – what’s your reason?

How Dance Extreme Changed My Life

How Dance Extreme Changed My Life

I was enrolled in my first dance class at Dance Extreme when I was seven years old. Prior to this, I had tried what seemed to be every extracurricular activity possible for a young girl, but nothing seemed to fit. I remember being nervous to start my first dance class, but when I was greeted by the friendly teachers and staff I immediately felt at home. After completing my first year, I knew I finally found something that I truly enjoyed.

I decided to join Dance Extreme’s competitive dance troupe the following year. I competed for the next ten years and loved every minute. Over the years my interest in dance as a fun hobby became a passion. During my time spent at Dance Extreme, I learned and accomplished so much, and grew to be a stronger person both mentally and physically. One of my greatest accomplishments was getting over my intense fears of performing in front of large groups. I can now speak in front of groups of people with ease, because of all of the training and coaching I was given at Dance Extreme. I learned discipline, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, how to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and the list goes on. 

Throughout my years at Dance Extreme I didn’t realize how much I was learning and how much these skills would help me later in life. I am the confident person that I am today because of what dance has given me, and because of that, I am very grateful. The friends I have made and the experiences I have had are ones I wouldn’t trade for the world, and for that, Dance Extreme will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Kaitlyn Lakerdas

What Do You Really Want For Your Dancer?

What Do You Really Want For Your Dancer?

If your answer is that you want her to be physically fit, to have fun, and to make friends, then you’re in the right place. Dance Extreme can offer all of those things to your dancer.

Beyond the social and fitness benefits, Dance Extreme can also offer your dancer the skills that will benefit her long after she hangs up her ballet shoes. Dance is a discipline and, as with every other discipline, your dancer will get out what she puts in. If she decides to pursue a professional career in dance, Dance Extreme can prepare her for that. But even if your dancer is only dancing for fun and has her heart set on being a veterinarian, or a doctor, or a chartered accountant, the skills she hones in the studio will stand her in good stead.

What does dancing have to do with math or science or English? What life skills could you possibly acquire from twirling and jumping in pink tights? I can think of twenty valuable life skills that are improved by the discipline of dance, but for the purpose of this post, I’ll only tell you about three of them.

Focus

“Pay attention!” How many times have you said that to your child? Studies have shown that the process of learning to dance engages many areas of the brain. Practically speaking, this translates into an increased ability to focus thoughts, leading to an increased ability to pay attention.

Memory

“Honestly! You’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached!” That’s another thing we often say to our children. Studies have shown that the process of learning and remembering a series of moves/steps in dance actually increases memory capacity.

Perseverance

“Don’t give up. Don’t be a quitter.” When the going gets tough, we want our children to meet the challenge. Learning to dance takes time and effort, which really teaches your dancer patience and perseverance. No one dances beautifully the first time they try it. In fact, the majority of dancers have to work through difficult combinations multiple times before they can dance fluidly.

No matter if your dancer goes on to have a career in dance, medicine, engineering, or journalism, a good memory, and ability to focus, patience, and perseverance are critical life skills for social and academic success.

After 12 years as a competitive dance mom, Jan Earnshaw is so happy to be able to share the benefit of her experience with the other families at Dance Extreme. Jan says that supporting her daughter Maggie Kelly, throughout her time on Dance Extreme’s competitive dance troupe and now, as she pursues a professional career in dance, “has been one of the greatest joys in life”.

Jan Earnshaw

Maggie is currently attending the Joffrey School of Ballet.

Why This Mom Chooses Dance Extreme

Why This Mom Chooses Dance Extreme

We love hearing feedback from dancers and their parents, especially on why they choose Dance Extreme year after year.

Recently, Dance Extreme was tagged in Lisa Castillo’s Facebook post explaining why she has been choosing DX for her daughter Grace for the last seven years.

Here’s what Lisa had to say:

Dance Extreme has offered our daughter an amazing experience for many years now! It’s large, clean and spacious studios offer a variety of classes and class times and the DX staff are truly amazing. As a competitive dancer, my daughter is learning how her body is powerful and graceful at the same time. She is learning the value of hard work, discipline, persistence, how to receive and apply constructive yet positive criticism while developing her sense of confidence and self esteem in these formative years of her life. I couldn’t imagine a better experience anywhere else!

Grace has been dancing at Dance Extreme since she was four years old and has spent two years on our pre-competitive dance troupe. This year, she is kicking off her first season as part of our competitive team and is most excited for her very first solo!

Being a part of Dance Extreme’s Dance Troupe means that Grace is at the studio a lot, but her mom Lisa says:

Of all the other places she could be hanging out as she is on the cusp of adolescence, I am so glad it is in a positive life skill and confidence building atmosphere.

We love hearing why families choose Dance Extreme year after year – what’s your reason?