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TDC Summer Intensive Classes
9:30am Mini Auditions (Ages 8-9)
10am Junior & Intermediate Class with Natalie (Hip Hop) (Ages 10-13)
11:30am Teen/Senior Class with Natalie (Hip Hop) (Ages 14+)
11:30am Junior & Intermediate Auditions (Ages 10-13)
2pm Teen & Senior Auditions (Ages 14+)
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9am Mini 1 Class with Jayci (Jazz)
9:30am Mini 2 Class with Grace Ann (Ballet)
9:45am Mini 1 Class with Morgan (Stretch/Flex)
10am Intermediate Class with Eugenia
10:30am Mini 2 Class with Jayci (Jazz)
11am Mini 1 Class with Grace Ann (Ballet)
11:30am Intermediate Class with Alexa
11:45am Mini 1 Class with Hadley (Tap)
11:45am Junior Class with Eugenia (Jazz)
12pm Mini 2 Class with Morgan (Stretch/Flex)
1pm Mini 2 Class with Hadley (Tap)
1pm Junior Class with Alden (Ballet)
1pm Tn/Sr Class with Eugenia
1:30pm Intermediate Class with Jason
2:30pm Tn/Sr Class with Alexa
2:45pm Junior Class with Hadley (Tap)
3:45pm Junior Class with Jayci (Lyrical)
4:30pm Intermediate Choreography with Jason (chosen by Guest Artist)
4:30pm Teen/Senior Choreography with Alexa (Chosen by Guest Artist)
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9am Mini 1 Class with Jayci (Jazz)
9:45am Mini 1 Class with Grace Ann (Ballet)
9:45am Junior Class with Eugenia (Jazz)
10am Mini 2 Class with Alden (Ballet)
11am Junior Class with Alden (Ballet)
11am Mini 1 Class (Hip Hop)
11am Mini 2 Class with Melissa (Musical Theatre)
11am Tn/Sr Class with Eugenia
11:45am Mini 1 Class with Morgan (Jumps & Turns)
12:30pm Mini 2 Class with Eugenia (Jazz)
12:30pm Tn/Sr Class with Jason Contemporary
12:45pm Junior Class with Morgan (Stretch/Flex)
1pm Intermediate Class with Alexa
1:30pm Mini 2 Class with Liza Grace (Hip Hop)
1:45pm Junior Class with Jayci (Lyrical)
2:30pm Intermediate Class with Jason
3pm Teen/Senior Choreography with Alexa (Chosen by Guest Artist)
5pm Intermediate Choreography with Jason (Chosen by Guest Artist)
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9am Teen/Senior Class with Adrian
9am Mini 1 Class with Jayci (Jazz)
9:45am Junior Class with Alden (Ballet)
9:45am Mini 1 Class with Grace Ann (Ballet)
10:30am Teen/Senior Class with Jason
11am Junior Class with Alexa
11am Mini 1 Class with Liza Grace (Hip Hop)
11am Intermediate Class with Adrian
11:45am Mini 1 Class with Melissa (Musical Theatre)
12:30pm Intermediate Class with Jason
12:30pm Mini 2 Class with Alden (Ballet)
12:45pm Junior Class with Adrian
1pm Teen/Senior Choreography with Alexa (Chosen by Guest Artist)
1:30pm Mini 2 Class with Jayci (Jazz)
1:45pm Junior Class with Melissa (Musical Theatre)
3pm Intermediate Choreography with Adrian (Chosen by Guest Artist)
3pm Mini 2 Class with Liza Grace (Hip Hop)
4pm Mini 2 Class with Melissa (Musical Th)
4:30pm Teen/Senior Choreography with Jason (Chosen by Guest Artist)
6:30pm Intermediate Choreography with Adrian (Chosen by Guest Artist)
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9am Intermediate Class with Danny (Jazz)
10am Teen/Senior Class with Danny
10:30am Intermediate Choreography with Adrian (Chosen by Guest Artist)
12:30pm Teen/Senior Choreography with Danny (Chosen by Guest Artist)
3:30pm Junior Choreography with Adrian (Chosen by Guest Artist)
4pm Intermediate Choreography with Alexa (Chosen by Guest Artist)
6pm Teen/Senior Choreography with Danny (Chosen by Guest Artist)
6:30pm Junior Choreography with Adrian (Chosen by Guest Artist)
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9am Intermediate Choreography with Alexa (Chosen by Guest Artist)
9am Junior Adrian Choreo
2pm **POSTPONED** (Flight delayed) Teen/Senior Class with Chantel - working to reschedule next day …stay tuned for changes :)
3pm Intermediate Choreography with Alexa (Chosen by Guest Artist)
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9am Michael Tap Class
10:30am Michael Tap Choreography (Chosen by Guest Artist)
3:30pm TN/SR Chantel Contemp Class/Audition
5:30pm Chantel Senior Group Choreo - Part 1
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9am Michael Tap Choreography - Part 2
1pm CANCELLED - Intermediate Class with Chantel
6pm Chantel Senior Group Choreo - Part 2
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9am Under The TDSea
9am Michael Tap Choreography - Part 3
1pm Itty Bitty Beach Party - MINI INTENSIVE
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9am Under The TDSea
1pm Itty Bitty Beach Party - MINI INTENSIVE
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9am Under The TDSea
1pm Itty Bitty Beach Party - MINI INTENSIVE
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1pm Itty Bitty Company Audition
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10am Dance and Donuts with Dad!
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9am Wicked (Ages 3-5)
1pm Wicked (Ages 6-9)
1pm FlexFORCE - Strength & Stretch for Dancers
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9am Wicked (Ages 3-5)
1pm Wicked (Ages 6-9)
1pm FlexFORCE - Strength & Stretch for Dancers
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9am Wicked (Ages 3-5)
1pm Wicked (Ages 6-9)
1pm FlexFORCE - Strength & Stretch for Dancers
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9am Little Princess Tea Party
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9am Little Princess Tea Party
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9am Little Princess Tea Party
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10am TINY TOTS PLAYDATE - Princess Tea Party
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Our Studio
Thousands of aspiring young dancers have received excellent dance training from The Dance Centre. Lifelong friendships, career defining moments, beauty and gracefulness, are all rewards that have enriched young lives through the art of dance. TDC has always been regarded as one of the highest quality dance education programs in the Southeast. In a nurturing and loving environment, our faculty is devoted to giving each student the individual attention they deserve. Our students are guided with genuine care, quality, integrity and professionalism. Located at 5100 Union Station Professional Parkway beside Cool Crates Storage, our five dance studios with “floating” floors and our premier dancewear boutique make up a spacious 11,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Preschool parent and former dancer, Carrie Laney, shared with us, “Dance has been a part of my life since I can remember. I learned hard work, dedication and confidence through dance that helped me in my career and all throughout my life. It’s been so special to see my little girl fall in love with dance but it’s even more important to me that she is also learning to be confident, meet new friends and have amazing role models to look up to.” From a dance educators perspective, the major successes can even be found in the tiny moments, like watching a timid preschooler gain enough confidence to stand in front of an audience and smile during their recital dance.
From a parent who is an educator, Haley McGee offers her experience on how dance has influenced her elementary aged daughter. “Dance has defined the meaning of commitment, the value of working hard, and the appreciation of teamwork. “ In her 7 year old daughter, McGee has noticed that dance “has ignited a passion for creativity and imagination that has awakened confidence and instilled joy.”
As dancers grow older, the challenge of balancing academics with hours in the studio helps develop time management skills, perseverance, and a healthy work ethic that they can carry with them into their adult lives.
Dr. Clint McEntyre, family practitioner and father to a high school aged dancer, shares with us, “I've seen first hand that dance benefits physical health, social development, and emotional well-being. The mental and physical demands of dance and competition promote work ethic, persistence, resilience, and self-confidence. The art of dance also expands cultural awareness while teaching focus, discipline, and creativity. All of these benefits may impact a young person's academics, athletic ability, and career development.”
One of the biggest rewards for dance educators is watching graduating seniors take the life lessons they have learned through dance and embark on their new journeys with the experiences they have gained. Recent graduate of The Dance Centre and Northridge High School, Liza Grace Cole says she has “learned the value of teamwork, humility, endurance, and how to win and lose.” Cole says “It has taught me self confidence, discipline, and how to be a leader among my peers. I look forward to taking my experiences into college and continue dancing on The University of Alabama Dance Team, and beyond that into my career.”
For any parent searching for a creative outlet for their young child, make sure to look for programs that nurture a healthy competitive spirit and value consistency. To be elite at any sport, there is always a moment where the athlete or dancer must “show up” even when they may not feel like it. A truly successful program teaches dancers how to push through the tough times to reap the successes. “Whether it’s Open House, recital or a summer camp, TDC team goes above and beyond to make sure every child has fun and a great experience. As a mother, I’m so thankful The Dance Centre is a part of our community. They are not only committed to teaching dance but helping children learn and grow. “
Recently, I was a part of a Collegiate Coaches meeting and the topic of conversation was Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset. I had heard of this before, but never really thought in depth about how a difference in “mindset” and the way students are coached can be such a game changer in their experience with dance. Here’s what was explained….
“In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success.”
“In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.” - Carol Dweck
Pretty simple facts and I totally agreed. I immediately thought of successful dancers I know and have worked with who have obviously had a growth mindset (based off of their work ethic and growth), but I really wanted to see for myself how we as teachers and coaches help in creating a growth mindset.
I then tried it out using my own little girl as the guinea pig. We worked on cartwheels and I said “Great job, you are good at cartwheels - you’re a natural at tumbling”. Her response, a big smile a sense of accomplishment and then she was over it- ran off to play bc in her mind her cartwheel was good enough and she was satisfied. WOW, I just contributed to my child developing a fixed mindset (UH-OH) by praising her ability at that moment (don’t panic we can fix this) . The next day, we practiced and my feedback to her was “your cartwheel is looking great, I am so impressed with how hard you are working today.” Her response, a big smile and then she stayed in the front yard an additional 10 minutes practicing bc she too was proud of her hard work and that gave her a feeling of accomplishment. Crazy how the charts and scientific finding from that seminar on Dr. Dwecks study were proven to me over something as simple as a toddler and her cartwheel.
So, how do we apply this at TDC?
Our mission is to grow each student that we teach by instilling the value of hard work, and giving the students praise on their effort shown. I have heard many times the past 10 years Mrs. Melissa say, “Great work, you almost have it” and “keep working I see so much progress”. This encourages the student to continue working and they receive praise and constructive criticism at the same time. No, the skill isn’t mastered yet, but keep working thats where the magic happens. In the midst of accompanying God given gifts (which are different for each dancer) with hard work- that is where success is found. We focus on the details and the work that is needed to grow amazing dancers, and in return we see it trickle into all aspects of dancers lives. Most students are great at time management, academic work, and following through with commitments due to the work ethic developed by dance.
In conclusion, we are challenging ourselves, our students, and our parents of dancers to have a GROWTH mindset this season. Go after what sets your soul on fire and work hard until you achieve those goals. Nothing is fixed :)
Xoxo,
M&M