Dance One Studios is in its fifteenth year of operation in its beautiful three-story facility located on Rte 724 between Douglassville and Pottstown.
The facility, a 150 year old renovated barn features three separate studios, two of which are surrounded in fieldstone and beautiful timbers creating a truly inspirational environment. There is also a dedicated area for the younger students, the Creative Kingdom – complete with disco ball and castle torches. Some other features of the Dance One facility include professional floated heated Marley floors, 2 waiting areas for parents with closed circuit TV, a reception area, changing room for dancers, and a conference room and teacher’s lounge.
Dance One Studios offers instruction in all styles of dance, for the three year old through adult, in a relaxed and fun environment. Dr. Leslie D. Netting, owner, international teacher and choreographer, and professor emeriti at Kutztown University states, ‘The philosophy behind Dance One Studios is that our focus is on the total needs of the child- mind, body, and spirit. It is this that defines our studio as more than just a series of technique classes.’
Through creative activity and valuable dance experiences, classes at Dance One foster artistic expression and provide students with a meaningful extracurricular activity. For serious students, the training at Dance One provides a solid foundation, as well as exposure to the cultural and historical evolution, terminology, scientific basis and theory; in short; a complete dance education. For the adult wanting to return to dance or looking for a stimulating fitness alternative, Dance One provides appropriate instruction in ballet, hip hop and yoga at convenient times in different sessions to fit all busy schedules. For all students, participation at Dance One Studios results in personal growth in a supportive atmosphere.
It is common for dance studios to have upwards of twenty or more students in a class where students compete to win a golden trophy as they perfect a single dance. At Dance One Studios enrollment is limited in its Creative Kids classes (3 to 5 year olds) to ten students with most regular technique classes closed at 12 students. Dr. Netting, understands that, ‘any more students in the class will compromise a student’s learning by limiting the individual attention that students in the primary and secondary level require.’
Netting is especially proud of her staff which all possess degrees in Dance and have had professional dance experience. All teachers design lesson plans for each and every class, as well as contributing, ‘It is this level of expertise guiding every class that sets Dance One Studios apart from many others,’ states Netting.
In addition to the regularly scheduled classes, there are also many exciting activities available this year at Dance One:
Dance One Contemporary Ballet Company I & II – This pre-professional company explores a fusion of classical ballet, jazz and modern dance through various performance opportunities. DO TAP (Dance One Tap Company) – Member of Do Tap experience rhythm and contemporary tap through numerous performance opportunities. DO TAP has had the opportunity to dance on the professional stage of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC as well as Lincoln center in New York City. Other performance venues have included the Philadelphia Tap Festival and the Carnival Cruise line! DO CREW (Dance One Hip Hop Company) – This pre-professional company ignites as they perform the latest street dance and urban funk influenced by today’s hottest video choreographers. These preprofessional companies have had the honor to perform at the Kennedy Center for the Arts, Lincoln Center, Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC, Philadelphia Tap festival, Disney World, and Carnival Cruise, to name a few.
Artists in Residence and Master Classes – Master teachers and choreographers from all areas of technique are invited to share their expertise at Dance One. Dance One Studios began this phase of growth with the very successful Darrin Henson workshop (choreographer for N’Sync), Ruth Andrien (former soloist with the Paul Taylor Dance Company), and Jeff Shade (dance captain under Bob Fosse, original cast of Sweet Charity), followed by Patricia Brown (former soloist – Joffrey Ballet), and jazz legend Luigi.
Our previous Artist in Residency Seasons we were proud to host; Finis Jhung (ABT & NYC Ballet Master Teacher), Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards (star of almost every tap movie and show since the 1980′, and Tessa Netting/Billy Elliot. Tessa Netting, former Dance One Studios student and from the original Broadway Cast of Billy Elliot the Musical shared her experiences auditioning and preparing for opening night followed by a trip to see the performance of Billy Elliot the Musical (winner of ten 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical). After the performance, a special ‘talk back’ was arranged where cast members answered questions of Dance One Studios’ students.
This year we are very proud to have an amazing array of talent for this program; Joanna Numata moved to Manhattan at the age of 17 to attend Hunter College. During her winter break, her old tap teacher advised her to begin taking dance classes in the city. Joanna continued her studies in ballet, tap and jazz and began her study of hip-hop. After devoting much of her time to improving her craft, Joanna’s tenacious efforts paid off. She was invited to become a member of Rhapsody James’s company. This opportunity allowed her to gain the experience and training she would need for the commercial dance world. Almost one year after she began training in the city, Joanna started dancing professionally. During the summer of 2004, she started teaching at different studios in Manhattan. This eventually broadened Joanna’s teaching opportunities, leading her across the US and abroad to conduct workshops.
Joanna has had the privilege of working with such artists as Beyonce, Kanye West, Rihanna, Fergie, Busta Rhymes, P.Diddy, Nelly, Pharrel, Black Eyed Peas, Dirty Money and Cassie. Her film credits include the feature films STEP UP 3D, I AM LEGEND, FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (to be released in 2011) and THE SMURFS MOVIE (to be released in summer 2011). Some other credits are ‘The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show,’ ‘Fashion Rocks,’ ‘MTV VMA’s,’ ‘SNL,’ ‘Law & Order,’ Dr.Scholls national commercial, and industrials for L’Oreal, Nexxus, Nike, Adidas, Sobe Lifewater, and Equinox.
JOANNA NUMATA Nov. 2, 2013 2 – 3:30 p.m.- INT/ADV CLASS
3:45 – 4:45 p.m. – BEGINNER CLASS
$45 for workshop Michelle Dorrance is an internationally renowned tap dancer, teacher and choreographer. She has toured with STOMP, Jazz Tap Ensemble, Tap City on Tour, Savion Glover and was a founding member of Savion’s company TiDii. Highlights include the Opening Ceremonies for the Cannes Film Festival, the 2002 Winter Olympics, dancing for the Prince of Monaco at the Nijinsky Awards, the Jerry Lewis Telethon, the Beacon Theatre, The Apollo Theater’s 70th Anniversary Concert, the debut of Improvography at the Joyce Theater and a national commercial for Cingular Wireless. Michelle was critically acclaimed in the World Premiere of Derrick Grant’sImagine Tap as well as in Emmy Award winning choreographer, Jason Samuels Smith’s Charlie’s Angels: A Tribute to Charlie Parker. She grew up studying dance at The Ballet School of Chapel Hill (founded by her mother, former professional ballet dancer, M’Liss Gary Dorrance) and she grew up performing with her mentor, Gene Medler’s North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble. Michelle has since performed with Manhattan Tap, Rumba Tap, Barbara Duffy & Company, CPD, Dr. Harold Cromer’s original Opus One, Ayodele Casel’s Diary of a Tap Dancer, legendary Mable Lee’sDancing Ladies and she has also shared the stage with inspirations Dianne Walker, Brenda Bufalino, Josh Hilberman, Sam Weber, Dormeshia Sumbry Edwards, Mark Mendonca, Dr. Fayard Nicholas, Dr. Cholly Atkins, Dr. Buster Brown and Dr. Jimmy Slyde.
Michelle’s choreography is performed across the country and internationally and has been featured at Jacob’s Pillow with Ritmico, at the Joyce Theater, The Duke on 42nd St. and at Symphony Space with The New York City Tap Festival, in a commercial for Toyota Taiwan and has won national and international titles at numerous competitions. From New York to LA to Rio to Tokyo to Sydney to Tel Aviv to Moscow to Berlin (to name a few) Michelle has taught at countless festivals, universities, workshops and conventions throughout the world. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University, is on faculty at Broadway Dance Center and was recently featured on the cover of Dance Magazine. She can be seen performing in the New York City cast of Off Broadway sensation, STOMP and is currently creating a new full length show (segments to be premiered in the Danspace series at St. Mark’s Church in March 2011).
MICHELLE DORRANCE February (exact date TBA)
2 – 3:30 p.m.- INT/ADV CLASS 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.- BEGINNER CLASS
5 p.m. – performance $55 for workshop & Performance
Sheila Barker has been an educator, choreographer and performer for the past 12 years in such places as Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Canada, Europe and across the USA. She received a BFA in dance and has extensive training in Jazz, Ballet, Modern, Tap, African/Dunham and Musical Theatre. Her performance background ranges from Broadway and Off-Broadway to industrials, music videos and soap operas. Sheila has choreographed many industrials, music videos and stage shows for recording artists.
SHEILA BARKER April (exact date TBA)
2 – 3:30 p.m. – INT/ADV CLASS 3:45-4:45 p.m.- BEGINNER CLASS
$45 for workshop DR. NETTING’s WORKSHOP SERIES
OCT. 13, 2013- Introduction to Modern- Fundamentals and Technique – 2 – 3 p.m. lecture on history of Modern – 3 – 5 p.m.: Modern technique class
DEC. 6, 2013 -Introduction to Ballet- Fundamentals and Technique – 6 – 7 p.m.lecture on history of Ballet – 7 – 9 p.m.: Ballet technique class
APRIL (exact date TBA)- Introduction to Jazz- Fundamentals and Technique – 2 – 2:45 p.m.: lecture on history of Jazz – 3 – 5 p.m.: Jazz technique class
***All Workshops are $40 and include the option of bringing and parent or friend to observe***
Open enrollment for the general public will open one week prior to each event.
Themed Birthday Parties – Dance One not only offers the popular ‘Princess Birthday Party’ where your child chooses her favorite Disney princess and has her special day planned around the magical activities of this character, but they offer Disney Divas (Hannah Montana, Selena Gomez, Ashley Tisdale themed), American Girl, Hip Hop/ Makeup, Games Galore, and Creative Play themed birthday parties.
Dance One Website – the new dedicated website for Dance One Studios is the best resource for information on everything that is happening at Dance One Studios. www.danceonestudios.com
Dance One Studios consistently offers more to its students by instilling in them a love of dance that will continue into their adult lives. Dance One Studios provides experiences and training that is hard to find in other studios.
Registration for fall classes is taking place now, call 610-323-6321 or visit their website (www.danceonestudios.com) to view a listing of the registration dates and times to ensure your best choice in that classes are filling quickly.
Registration hours in October Thursday 10/3 – 4 to 8 p.m.
Monday 10/7 – 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday 10/8 – 5 to 8 p.m.
Thursday 10/10 – 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday 10/12 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday 10/14 – 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday 10/15 – 5 to 8 p.m.
Thursday 10/17 – 4 to 8 p.m. Monday 10/21 – 4 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday 10/22 – 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday 10/24 – 4 to 8 p.m.
Saturday 10/26 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
