Clifton Dance Academy & Performing Arts Center
About
Dance helps develop and improve an ear for music, rhythmn and coordination. Also develops a connection between the feet with the brain. Students who learn to dance in earlier years to much better than students who do not learn to dance.
Non-competitive Studio - No "Dance Moms" or "Students"
Lobby with Windows so Parents can Observe
Passionate, Kind and Patience Instructors
Experienced Teachers
Learning to Dance and instilling good habits "does a body good!"
Highlights
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
We get right to work and teach steps, learning and concentrating on technique and style. After basic steps have been mastered, we move on to routines as this is what dance is all about. Students feel the music and like to move their bodies. Commanding the feet to keep up with the beat and do the steps is challenging and fun!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
All teachers have been dancing since they were little, have a passion and love about their trade they pass on to students.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Registration Fee $35, Dance Classes $88/month Fitness Classes $65/month
How did you get started teaching?
My mother owned and operated a Pre-School and brought the dance arts into the school. I took dance and she would give us the opportunity to join in and be the leader girls in her school. This was during recitals the little ones could follow along easier. My sister, April and I continued dance through our growing up years and we opened up a "FAME" School in Santa Clarita California, called Santa Clarita Academy. It was an acredited Preschool and Elementary school with 300 students. We taught the arts (Music and Dance) along with education. It was very successful and years later we opened up 1 that grew into 6 dance studios around the LA metropolitan area. In 1997 we sold the studios and separated. She retired and I remarried. In 2010 we opened up Clifton Dance Academy. April left Virginia in 2011 and moved to Florida with new husband and Virginia continues to run Clifton Dance Academy.
What types of students have you worked with?
Our classes are mostly little ones ages 2 for Tiny Tots, 3 and 4 for Princess Ballet & Tap, 5-7 for Ballet Tap & Jazz, 7-15 for Hip Hop, Adult classes Nia, Line Dance, Zumba, and Senior Beg Fit classes. We have something for everyone. Other classes are offered but have not begun. This is current information for month of October 2016.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Our most recent event was a once a year festival happening in Clifton, VA called Clifton Days. About 40,000 people come out and weather permitting the kids get to dance all day. It's a low-key event as dancing is right on the street, but the kids really enjoy it. And people stop and watch. We appreciate it because it increases performance experience for our students.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for a teacher that is patient, has passion about teaching dance and is not desensitized to her trade (anotherwards has been doing it too long), loves to share her love of dance with others, etc.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
This is not brain science. There is no question that cannot be asked. Students don't need to be shy or think too much. It is all about enjoying the experience.