My 4.5 year old loves music and dancing. She has some motor delays, though, so I don't want to put her in a high-pressure situation at all. We just had our first class at Dance Attack, and while she had a great time, I thought they were expecting too much of the little kids - it was very "professional" rather than just for fun. Anyone have any suggestions? I have tried classes at the Almaden Community center, but they don't let you watch - and we found out halfway through that the teacher was spending more time yelling/disciplining than actually getting them dancing. That scared me off from studios that don't let you see a little of what is going on.
Thanks everyone! We stuck with Dance Attack when the new teacher got back from vacation and liked her much more. She's more mellow, which worked well for my daughter. I plan to try out some of the other suggestions eventually to, but for now my daughter seems to be enjoying it and doing well.
Try Las Gatos Saratoga Recreation. They have some dance classes for children as well and are probably less intense since they are not a dance studio.
My daughter is 4 and she attends Dance Attack. I don't feel that they are too focused on technique at all yet, my daughter has a great time. This is the first year that they are just barely starting to do a little stretching and many one or two tap moves. We are in the 10:30-11:15am class on Saturday's with Miss Holly...Maybe it was the teacher? Anyway, good luck!!!
If you go to Marie Stinnett Dance in Campbell the have a dance class called Creative Movement Plus. It is set up to let the kids move to music with out any pressure. I t builds confidence and basic motor skills. The teachers name is Lisa Barretta and she has taught all 3 of my kids. It is trulu a wonderful experience to watch your child learn and grow from these classes.
Marie Stinnett Dance-###-###-####
Hi R., my daughter, who is now 24 has been dancing and singing since the age of 2. After dancing for a few years at Jean Crosley, she moved to Dance Arts Acadamy. They are located on Winfield Blvd next to Golfland. While some of the classes are competitive, they have ones that aren't, however there is no viewing. I believe you can watch once a month from the inside of the classroom. I was also going to suggest Dance Attack, because you can view classes there. I asked my daughter if she new of any studios, she has friends that teach at South Bay Dance on Branham lane and also Jensen's, but they are located in Milpitas. My daughter's former teacher runs Dancyn, The studio is located in San Jose. Good Luck
Hi R.,
I highly recommend The Little Gym on Prospect Rd. They offer "dance-only classes" or combo dance and gymnastics classes. (They offer many other types of classes, but just wanted to mention the dance-related types).
My 5 1/2 year old daughter was taking a combo dance and gymnastics class for at least 1 year (this was several sessions). She loved it, I could watch (they have a wonderful seating/viewing area where the parents sit so they're not a distraction to the kids). Still, your child can see you so if she is having any issue, she can come out and you're available to her.
It's low pressure. She loved her particular class - 15 minutes ballet, 15 minutes tap, and 30 minutes of gymnastics. Although, every teacher we encountered was wonderful and loving, my daughter got especially attached to Ms. Shayna.
Here's their website:
From the time I was about your daughter's age up until I was around 14, I took dance from Nancy Doize. She has a dance school behind the Target that's on Camden and Ross in San Jose.
###-###-####
3001 Ross Ave
San Jose, CA 95124
http://nancydoizeschoolofdance.com/schoolofdance.html
Hi R.,
I had more luck with community centers as they are non-competetive. We used to go to Kirk Community Center or
there is another on Camden/Union (I think behind Lucky's)
This was you can choose if it is just for fun or for
competition.
Good Luck
K.
Hi R.,
I was going to suggest Dance Attack to you as that is where my 4 year old goes. She loves it and it's not too "professional" for her. The girls are always running around and screaming and laughing. It may just be the teacher, I'm not sure. Perhaps you try another one. Don't get me wrong, Dance Attack is a place that participates in competitive dancing, so there is an air of intensity, but my daughter is not there yet.
Good luck
Try Marie Stinnett Dance in Campbell. She has been around for 50 years and hs a great staff. They do not compete so their emphasis is on technique, physical exercise and fun. I believe there is a dance movement class for 4 - 6 year olds and then they have classes by ability and age in jazz dance, tap dance, hip hop, and some ballet. I have had two older children go through her studio and loved it. They were both older than 4.5 when they started so they were put into beginning jazz and tap. I do not know much about the younger childrens movement class but if she runs it anything like her other classes, which I would guess she does, it would be great and age appropriate. She also allows parents to watch certain times during the month. Her message phone number is ###-###-####. Her website is www.mariestinnettdance.com
Have you tried Dance Academy USA. I know a lot of people from Los Gatos that send their kids there. It's fun and they put on a great show each year for friends and family.
http://www.danceacademyusa.com
Hi R.,
Try your local YMCA. They are all about the fun, non-competitive experience wether it be youth sports, fitness or dance class. They are also very reasonably priced. Good luck!
