C.W. asks from Minnetonka, MN on September 10, 2009
Dance Center Recommendations
I have a 4 year old who absolutely loves dancing and music. I am looking to put her in a ballet/tap class in the Minnetonka area and am considering TonkaDance Works, Eileen Blake, Dance Arts Center (Chanhassen) and Hopkins Dance Center. I am looking for quality dance instruction in an uplifting, confidence building atmosphere. I would love feedback from any of you who have experience with these centers. Thanks so much in advance.
More Answers
G.W. answers from Minneapolis on September 11, 2009
summit dance shop is the top of the top for dance studios. its in plymouth right off hwy 55 and fernbrook.
C.W. answers from Minneapolis on September 11, 2009
We are going to start our second year with Tonka DanceWorks with classes held at the Deephaven Education Center. I really appreciated the atmosphere of the class last year (Creative Movement). It was imaginative, fun, and low-key. My daughter is fairly shy/reserved, and missed her class all summer! I would strongly recommend their classes! Good luck!
M.G. answers from Minneapolis on September 11, 2009
HI C.,
Well, I may be a bit biased, but I would hands down recommend Hopkins Dance. I was trained there from age 6 (and I subsequently danced professionally for 5 years). The curriculum, compared to the others, is much more ballet based and is very high quality. The teachers are all highly-skilled and very loving toward children- most of them are previous HDC students and are very passionate about dance. Many of the girls who 'graduate' from HDC go on to either dance professionally, major in dance in college, or go on to dance with companies. Hopkins has the ability, and the resources, to recognize talent and passion in young children and nurture it. THe good thing about HDC, as well, is even though it is ballet based, there is also a very strong tap, jazz, modern, lyrical focus.
I loved it and I received excellent training. I would be happy to answer any further question you have or put you in touch with one of the teachers there if you want to pm me.
Good luck and have fun with your little girl!
K.R. answers from Minneapolis on September 11, 2009
I don't know anything about those dance studios, but I would recommend avoiding those that put the little girls in gobs of makeup and make the parents buy lots of expensive costumes for recitals. I don't think that kind of studio is really about the love of dance.
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