About
The Dance Element studio in Wilmington NC is dedicated to promoting healthy minds and bodies, fostering an appreciation for the arts, and nurturing lifelong friendships.
Our unique dance school provides classical ballet lessons, as well as weekly classes in Hip Hop, Acrobatics, and a variety of other dance styles for kids and adults. All of our dance classes are led by a team of inspiring, professionally trained arts educators.
We proudly feature a BOYS' Dance Program led by a phenomenal male teacher, and a 501c3 nonprofit Performance Company which offers serious dance students the opportunity to gain invaluable pre-professional training and performance experience.
All of our students perform in two annual showcases, and have multiple opportunities to participate in additional performances, throughout the season.
The quality of our professional staged productions is unrivaled in the Wilmington area, and our original dance adaptations of childrens literature have been referred to as "significant artistic works" by the local community.
The Dance Element's fun and positive atmosphere fosters a spirit of camaraderie among our students, creating an environment where dacners of all ages and levels can learn to dance and LOVE to dance!
The Dance Element's Owner and Artistic Director, Ashley Barnes is a passionate dancer and multi-media artist. She earned a BFA in Fine Art and Dance Performance, from East Carolina University. Recently, Ashley was honored with the 2016 Cape Fear Women of Achievement Award for the Arts. In 2015, she was selected as the recipient a Regional Artist Grant from the Wilmington Arts Council. WECT described Ashley as "A Creative Force!" She is driven by her desire to create, and she has yet to find an artistic project she can not conquer.
Ashley is certified in the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet, and has over 20 years of experience teaching students of all ages. She is a fun and inspiring mentor, who motivates her dancers to achieve their personal best. Her students have been accepted to a number of prestigious summer programs, throughout the country. Ashley's students are her greatest inspiration. She is a talented and passionate teacher who motivates her dancers to achieve their dreams.
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Emily L.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We want our students to feel challenged and excited about learning new steps and unfamiliar technique, but not overwhelmed or discouraged by a class that is beyond their experience.
New students are encouraged to try several classes to determine the best placement!
An overlap in the age brackets of each class level allows us to group dancers by both age and ability. Dancers can advance at their own pace, without moving up into an entirely different age group.
Combining the class levels (ex: Level 2/3) allows students to remain in a specific class for an appropriate amount of time, before moving up to the next level.
Generally, a dancer who is placed at “Level 2” will remain in the 2/3 class (ages 5-8) for several years before advancing. A dancer placed at “Level 3” who has grasped the concepts and mastered the required technique for the Level 2/3 class may move up into Level 3/4 (ages 7-11.)
This placement method allows our instructors to maintain an entirely individual basis for advancing students, while maintaining groups of dancers who are close in age.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
The Dance Element proudly employs some of the Wilmington areas finest professionally trained and formally educated arts educators! All of our inspiring dance teachers have earned a college degree in Dance Performance or Dance Education, and many of our staff have also had very succesful careers in professional dance.
Read about our incredible staff: http://www.thedanceelement.com/dance_teachers
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Tuition for The Dance Element is due monthly, and is based on the number of weekly class enrollments for each family of dance students. Class rates are dicounted as classes are addd to your weekly schedule, and the discounts apply to all dancers in your family.
Tuition prices for CHILDREN'S Classes are as follows:
1 Class a Week: $70/ Month
2 Classes: $120/ Month
3 Classes: $160/ Month
4 Classes: $190/ Month
5 Classes: $210/ Month
6 Classes: $230/ Month
7 Classes: $250/ Month
8 Classes: $265/ Month
9 Classes: $275/ Month
10 Classes: $280/ Month
Adult Dance Classes are all open, Drop-In Classes:
$12 for ONE Class
$10/ Class with 5 Class Card for $50
$8/ Class with 10 Class Card for $80
What types of students have you worked with?
We work with students of all ages, all shapes, all sizes, and all levels of ability!