Long Beach’s Dance Studios Keep You On Your Toes

When it comes to dance studios in Long Beach, there is everything to choose from.

Not all dance studios are created equally and the philosophies and goals of the owners have a lot to do with what one will experience when they walk in the door and stay to dance. If you haven’t been to a studio in a long time, you may be surprised to see the range of classes popular with both boys and girls. Here’s a look at some of the studios:

Marrillyn McDowell School of Dance http://www.mmsdance.org/ has been in existence for more than 50 years. Denise Knight (McDowell’s daughter) is the owner of the studio. Knight said her mother started teaching dance at her home in Long Beach, but later moved the studio to its current location 30 years ago. Knight said she values the highly-trained staff and faculty as well as a family-oriented environment. The staff has extensive studio, professional and collegiate training. Because the studio has been in business so long, they are now teaching to children and grandchildren of McDowell’s original dancers.

While the studio offers a competitive dance company, Knight said that the competition is on the dance floor, not among the girls. As a studio, family and friendship is valued.

Classes are offered for 2½ year olds through adults and include: ballet, musical theater, Pilates, conditioning and hip hop. Saturday and Sunday classes are offered for recreational dancers from 4-12 years old with the idea of introducing young dancers to the art of dance. Dancers can take single classes of ballet, tap, jazz or hip hop. During the week, ballet and tap are offered to the youngest dancers (2½ - 5 years) on a once a week basis. For the next age group, 6-8 year olds (and older), dancers are required to take two classes a week for ballet but can take single classes of the other dance types.

An annual recital in June for all dancers is optional but encouraged. Private lessons are also available.

**********

Center Stage Dance Academy http://www.centerstagedancelongbeach.com/ is currently in its 20th year. I spoke to owner Leslie Clifford about her philosophy for the studio. Clifford says they try to develop good people, not just good dancers. They want their students to be well-rounded and they offer musical theater as well as a host of dance classes including ballet, tap, jazz, voice, lyrical and acting. The center does not offer adult dance classes.

She encourages the students to start with ballet (95% of them do) because it is the basis of dance and is needed in the professional spectrum. There are three different types of competition dance teams depending on the interests of the dancer. A yearly recital is held in June and students are encouraged to perform in it, but it is not mandatory.

Each year, students are individually assessed and given a letter of recommendation for what type of dance program they are encouraged to do for the following year. Clifford hopes the dance students feel it is a second home.

Students are welcomed to take any first class for free so they are able to sample the different types of dance. With five dance rooms, there are a lot of levels going at the same time. They have their own rating system of entry level through level five for the dance classes.

*****************

In business for three years, Elevation Studios http://www.elevationstudios.org  is the new kid on the block. The studio’s slogan is “taking the art of movement to a higher level.” Owners Alex Arnold and Robert Prescott Lee wanted to create a dance studio for all levels but also a place for serious dancers including professional dancers. I spoke to Arnold about her philosophy. Arnold said she grew up in Long Beach and danced at various studios in the area. She says she never felt comfortable in Los Angeles, but felt that she wanted a studio where students could bring some of what was offered in L.A. to Long Beach.

All of her instructors are currently dancing professionally, have degrees in dance or are professional choreographers. Arnold explains that as a young dancer, she had to figure out a lot of things on her own. She wants to show her students everything there is in dance by having famous dancers come to the studio as well as sending students out to clinics to learn from others outside the area.

The studio welcomes beginners and adults. The weekly schedule includes jazz, ballet, hip hop, tricks and turns, Yoga/Pilates, breaking and lyrical. Adults can attend classes using a card that does not expire. Furthermore, advanced dancers who are not in their company are allowed to take classes along with the company (aka dance team) and are treated equally.

************************

Kick it Up http://www.kickitup.com/, owned and created by Long Beach local Susan Janson, is a non-competitive dance studio that opened in 2004. Janson said as she taught dance throughout college (though she majored in business), she saw so many parents sitting around while their kids danced. She wanted a place where the parents could workout while the kids were dancing. Janson wants students to be able to come in and take any class they want without any prerequisites. A wide range of dance and fitness classes are offered with about 130 classes per week.

Two optional recitals are done per year, but she has a 95% participation rate. All classes have a part in the dance recital.

Janson said some of her kids go into the Orange County High School of the Arts, but if they want to compete, she sends them elsewhere.

*************

I recommend thinking about what you or your child wants in dance and trying out a few classes and at different locations. If one doesn’t feel quite right, it is worth trying another.