More Than Just Dance | The Dance Academy Family

When you walk through the doors of The Dance Academy, you will quickly realize that it's more than just a dance studio – it's a tight-knit community that feels like family. From the moment you step inside, you will see warm smiles, contagious laughter and feel a sense of belonging. Beyond dance, it's a place to grow, connect and be a part of something incredibly special.

All photos taken by Halie Anna Photography

The Dance Academy places a strong emphasis on the quality of dance education, but also on personal growth. It's a place where individuals gain confidence, poise and strong work ethic by dedicating themselves to dance. It's a place where all dancers feel loved, supported and inspired. Whether you step in for your first dance class as a toddler or you are graduating as a senior – the bond you build at TDA will last a lifetime.

“Every class, every recital and every moment spent in that studio shaped me, not just as a dancer, but as a person.”

-Stephanie Hurst

A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS

What makes TDA so special is its deep-rooted commitment to fostering a family atmosphere. In each class, students are building friendships, learning life skills and discovering the value of hard work and dedication. Not only just the students, but the parents feel it too. There is a community for parents that comes from cheering on each other's children, volunteering at events, and watching their kids blossom into confident dancers and individuals.

The instructors play a major role in cultivating this dynamic. They don't just teach dance steps, they mentor, encourage and guide the students as if they were their own. They celebrate, offer comfort and remind each dancer of their potential, during their time at TDA and beyond. The dance teachers pride themselves on their dedication to teaching and meeting the various needs of each individual student. Whether it be a preschool student building the confidence to try tap class, a middle school student wanting to audition for the school play, or a high school student with dreams of becoming a member of a college dance team or even a professional career on Broadway, they can provide the dance education that will help your child achieve his or her goals.

MORE THAN DANCE, IT'S FAMILY

At the heart of The Dance Academy is a dance family that has been growing for years. Whether it's supporting a teammate during practice, celebrating a big win or just dancing together in class, the connection between the students, teachers and families is what makes the studio so special.

We spoke to a few members of The Dance Academy community. Here's what they had to share:

SARABETH ROWLAND

Sarabeth Rowland spent 10 years of her childhood as a student at The Dance Academy, learning the art of tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical. She reflects back on that time of her life fondly, as it shaped many of the qualities that propel her as an adult. When her own daughter took an interest in dance, she reconnected with her former teacher, Donnajean Kline and was surprised that some of the students she danced with as a child are now teachers and working to inspire the new generation of dancers.

She stated, “Walking back into the studio for the first time with my daughter felt like both a surreal experience and the homecoming I didn't know I needed. We haven't looked back.” Sarabeth's favorite thing about TDA is witnessing the growth of the students, as the teachers work tirelessly to help the dancers reach their potential, while always putting the love of dance at the forefront of their teachings. She told us, “My daughter calls TDA her happy place. It's the place where she wants to spend all of her time and it's filled with people that she is always excited to spend tie with, while doing the thing she loves to do – dance.”

STEPHANIE HURST

Stephanie Hurst started dancing at The Dance Academy when she was just five years old. She shares that from the moment she stepped inside the studio, she knew that dance would always be a part of her life. Every year she spent there was filled with so much joy, twirling around in ballet class, feeling the emotion of lyrical and contemporary, tapping her heart out and bringing energy to every jazz routine.

Dancing at The Dance Academy gave her more than just technique, it gave her confidence, discipline, and a lifelong passion and it's the reason why she continued dancing through college. She told us, “Returning to TDA feels like coming home.” When her daughter started dancing, there was never a question of where she would enroll her, it had to be there, the place that shaped her love for dance. Stephanie said, “Walking through these doors again brings back so many memories of my own journey. Seeing my daughter experience that same joy, learning and growing in the same space that meant so much to me, is truly special.”

ROBIN CASTILLO

Robin started dancing at The Dance Academy when she was 9 years old and continued through graduating high school. She performed tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical and was on the competition team. Many of her best memories from childhood are from the time spent at practice, competitions and recitals. She always knew that if her daughter, Marina, was interested in dance that they would come to The Dance Academy. Her cousin teaches at TDA and she grew up with some of the other teachers, dancing with them. She stated, “It's been fun to see them now teaching my daughter. It really feels like a full circle moment.”

Robin describes the community at TDA as wonderful and supportive. She told us, “The girls there have really embraced Marina and are so sweet to her.” Her favorite thing about TDA is the passion behind everything they do. From the dancers striving to do their best and wanting to learn new skills, to the teachers cheering them on. It's a common occurrence to hear the dancers cheering for each other in rehearsal. They truly love dance and they love to see each other do well. Robin said, “We drive 30 minutes from New Jersey three times a week an it is well worth the time.”