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Message |
    
cannuck
Citizen
Username: Cannuck
Post Number: 58
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 2:33 pm: | 
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We would like to enroll our five year old daughter in Village Dance Academy for ballet. We've left a few messages but no one seems to get back to us. Any suggestions on how to best get in touch with them? Also, any other suggestions for low-key ballet lessons for five year olds? We already tried the little house by the tracks and our daughter wasn't a big fan. Thanks in advance! |
IShep
Citizen
Username: Twinsmom
Post Number: 150
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 4:17 pm: |
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Depends on what you mean by low key.
For me, when I lived in MA/SO and was looking for a good dance school that was low key for my daughter, it meant getting good, solid instruction in a nice, kid-focused environment with absolutely no silly dance recitals with expensive costumes. I found this at NJ School of Ballet in Livingston.
However, if low key means not having to go too far out of your way, this won't be it. I carpooled with a friend so it wasn't too big of a deal. And, I can say that we had a wonderful experience there. I am astounded at how much my daughter learned in six months after one year of going to local dance schools that focused more on getting the girls ready for the recitals.
I hope you find what you're looking for. |
growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 919
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 5:01 pm: |
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How about the Bette White Dance Studio? |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 77
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 9:49 pm: |
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There's Maria Priadakis Dance Studio in S.O. Upstairs at corner of S.O. Ave and Village Plaza. |
golden
Citizen
Username: Golden
Post Number: 143
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 12:39 pm: |
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most of the time the kids love to have a recital(i've seen it with my daughter)and they don't have to be in it if they choose not to.my daughter went to nj dance center for many years and loved miss anne. she really learned to be quite good and still dances occasionally when she has the time. miss anne's story ballet is very low-key but if she didn't like it ,then i'm sure the many other dance schools have similar programs. i know what you mean,she's only 5 and you want her to have fun so keep trying and see if some of the other places will let you do a trial class(usually they do).good luck !!!! |
IShep
Citizen
Username: Twinsmom
Post Number: 155
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 1:16 pm: |
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Please don't get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with having a recital per se...I think kids can enjoy it and there is value in the performance experience.
What bothered me was the "commercialness" of it all (selling T-shirts, DVDs, space in the recital program, etc.) in addition to spending half the year ONLY practicing one or two dances for the recital. At the first school we were in I didn't put my daughter in the recital. The second time, when she was a bit older, I did.
Certainly this isn't how it is at ALL dance schools, just two that we tried out: one in SO and one in MA.
}For what it's worth, I had my daughter at the Baird Center in SO when Miss Christy was teaching (I don't know if she ever returned post maternity), and she was amazing with the kids and it was VERY low key. Plus, it was local! |
DRJ
Citizen
Username: Alaska
Post Number: 59
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 2:32 pm: |
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My daughter is currently taking ballet, as well as tap and jazz, at the Baird center with Miss Melissa. She is great with the kids. FWIW, my daughter also had Miss Christy and she likes Miss Melissa just as much, if not more. |
DRJ
Citizen
Username: Alaska
Post Number: 60
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 3:10 pm: |
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Correction...Miss Pam is the dance instructor at Baird. I had her confused with my daughter's music teacher at school. |
mickey
Citizen
Username: Mickey
Post Number: 417
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 5:18 pm: |
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I don't know if she's still in the business, but Diane Greenberg in West Orange 973-731-8406 had the BEST "low key" ballet school for preschoolers/elementary schoolers.
Her home basement was turned into a dance studio with mirrors and a barre. The kids would have ballet with fun songs and stories. She was FABULOUS.
And here is how she did recitals: She rented a school auditorium for an entire Sat. or Sunday and alloted 45 mins for each class. Parents were invited to their kids' time only! And she charged minimal (maybe $10/per family) to get in, just to cover her costs. If I remember corretly, we just had to purchase a leotard and ballet shoes for class and for $15 she gave the girls tutus and a tiara for the recital.
My experience is 7 years old now, though....
but Diane was a gem. |
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