E.C. asks from Rowlett, TX on November 06, 2008
Looking for Ballet Classes for a 6 Yr Old near Rowlett
My 6 year old loves to dance and wants to take ballet. She really needs to work on the ability to stay focused and pay attention and I feel this would be an excellent way to work on those skills while doing something she likes. I would like to find a good studio that is serious about ballet but won't be so serious that it hurts her self-esteem. I'm not interested in a "fluffy" school that works mostly on Nutcracker or Spring Recital routines. I want a good school that teaches technique and discipline with kindness. The only candidates I have so far are Harmonic Motion Ballet in Rockwall and the Rowlett Dance Academy. I have 2 other children so I'd like to stay close to Rowlett. Please let me know specifically if you've had good or bad experiences with either one, or if you know of another school I should consider. Thanks!
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More Answers
B.D. answers from Dallas on November 07, 2008
Rowlett Dance Academy is one of the best! We went there for years since my daughter was 2.5. They are reasonably priced as well and have experienced instructors.
L.M. answers from Dallas on November 06, 2008
My daughter goes to STEPS in Rowlett. She has gone there for 3 years now and we've had great experiences. It's right next door to the post office.
S.L. answers from Dallas on November 07, 2008
I worked at Rowlett Dance Academy for many years and can say that they are one of the best in the area. They have a serious ballet program (not "fluffy") so they do focus on the Nutcracker (especially right now) and have a ballet production in the spring that goes along with spring recital.
At this point, rehearsals are the focus seeing as the Nutcracker is six weeks away, but they always give a good barre and as soon as the Nutcracker is over, they turn their focus back to strictly technique. When I was there, we focused on teaching strong technique and discipline with production numbers only taking up the last ten minutes of class for the younger students. If she is serious about taking ballet, you actually want to look for a school that puts on ballet productions. This shows that the teachers and students are dedicated to being there. If you go to a studio where it's not as common, you might have less than qualified teachers teaching ballet. Steps, however, is a good studio and they do produce trained dancers. I would not be afraid to send my daughter there, if I were you. If you want, you should go and see RDA's Nutcracker. It's on Dec 7th I think. This would give you a feel for the studio. Hope this helped some!
K.G. answers from Dallas on November 07, 2008
my daughter went to Steps (by the post office off 66 and Rowlett Road) for many many years. She started there when steps was down the street..she was only two and didn't quit going until she'd been there six years. We only stopped b/c we never lived in Rowlett and it was a twenty minute drive for us and i'd just had a baby the year before and he was starting to make long drives and waiting around for something to be over....well, just difficult!!! LOLOL why did we start going there in the first place if it was so far? well, simple....Teresa, one of the co-owners, is my sister in law! LOL
I can give an unbiased opinion though b/c i have had my daughter in classes there. they are great. after we left there we put her in the Dallas Ballet Center which is less than five minutes from us and we really really didn't like it. they are super extremely serious about ballet and that's fine but it wasn't any fun for my daughter. She only went one year there (and that long b/c you couldn't quit without paying the rest of the year!!!).
At steps, Teresa, my sil, did mostly the jazz, tap, that sort of thing and her partner did the ballet. Her name is Robin. They are both great and Robin IS serious about ballet but i've never heard anyone say they aren't fun etc. They do have spring recitals but the year was never devoted to learning a routine for it. everythign they did all year went into making the routine but it wsn't only focused on the recital until nearer time. They do, however, do competitions as well and depending on what classes you are in you may decide to do that...it's up to you. but i never felt like my daughter was missing out on anything b/c we chose not to do the competitions.
I really think it would benefit you and probalby be a good fit to check out Steps-A Dance Studio. GOod luck!!
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