About
I specialize in teaching dance classes to children and adults in a fun, professional, friendly, and excellent environment. I am a current professional in the field with access to continual training opportunities which provide my students with current technique, artistry, and knowledge of dance trends and expectations.
I love teaching! I love helping my students develop not only dance skills, but confidence, poise, creativity, posture, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Reviews
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Ashley T.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First, I like to find out more about you (what are your goals? what have your past dance experiences been like?). Then I suggest some options that might be the best fit for you and we work together to find what you want to do and are the most comfortable with!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I hold a BA in Dance from Mercyhurst University, have studied at a summer intensive with American Ballet Theatre, and have danced professionally for the past five years. I also started and am the Artistic Director of VidaDance, a professional dance company, and the owner of VidaDance Studio.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Typically, pricing is based on the type of classes you're looking for. A one-time private lesson costs $50/hour; an eight-week session of private lessons costs $40/hour and a four-week session of private lessons costs $45/hour. Adult group classes cost $10/hour for a series of eight, and children's group classes cost $15/hour per 16-week semester. Special pricing may be available.
How did you get started teaching?
I began by substitute teaching at the studio I grew up in, and then went to college to obtain my BA in Dance. After graduating, I moved to Kansas to dance professionally and started teaching right away at several local studios.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with all kinds of customers, from two-year-olds to sixty-year-olds. I love teaching someone who never had the opportunity to dance before and is so delighted to finally be doing it, and also with the students who have been taking classes for years.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
While I wouldn't call any of my students or classes "events," here's what I am especially fond of about teaching: watching someone take their first dance step, witnessing a light bulb moment of understanding a challenging step or concept, helping students go from unsure to confident, and most importantly, having fun with my students along their unique dance journeys.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure the person you are hiring has the right qualifications. A great teacher has a degree in dance, professional experience, and has taught a variety of ages and abilities at a variety of studios so that they understand many methods and approaches to teaching--because each student is unique!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are you looking for when it comes to taking dance classes? Are your goals just to have fun, to join a dance team, to be cast in better roles in musicals, to be a professional, or to learn a new skill? Make sure you know what you want, and that you communicate that with any potential teachers. From there, see what they say about helping you achieve those goals! If it's not a good fit, don't feel bad about looking elsewhere.