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Hi all, my daughter is 9 and at the moment really wants to dance professionally. What would you suggest as the best dance studios that provide great training and performance opportunities? We are not interested in having her do competitions. She currently takes ballet, tap, jazz and modern. We live in the Wake Forest/Zebulon area and would prefer to stay 30 minutes or under drive time. She has taken summer classes at Raleigh School of Ballet and loved it, but its too far of a drive for class every week.
Yes she is! I know she is young and it may change, but want to give her the opportunity to improve on her dance skills in case she doesn't change her mind.
I don't know in Wake Forest (could tell you a few places in Chapel Hill and Durham), but definitely get her involved in the ADF classes in the summer in Durham when she is old enough. Not sure how young they take them, but that is some serious professional level stuff there. Actually Madonna is an ADF alumna!
I think finding an non-competitive school will be difficult. My daughter attends Taylor Academy of Dance in Wake Forest and they have recitals but not competitions.
It does seem at odds that she wants to dance professionally but doesn't want to do competitions...the one is required to do the other
Last edited by RDUBiker; 10-05-2017 at 02:09 PM..
Reason: grammar police
Hi all, my daughter is 9 and at the moment really wants to dance professionally. What would you suggest as the best dance studios that provide great training and performance opportunities? We are not interested in having her do competitions. She currently takes ballet, tap, jazz and modern. We live in the Wake Forest/Zebulon area and would prefer to stay 30 minutes or under drive time. She has taken summer classes at Raleigh School of Ballet and loved it, but its too far of a drive for class every week.
Wants to dance professionally but you don't want her to do competitions?
Hi all, my daughter is 9 and at the moment really wants to dance professionally. What would you suggest as the best dance studios that provide great training and performance opportunities? We are not interested in having her do competitions. She currently takes ballet, tap, jazz and modern. We live in the Wake Forest/Zebulon area and would prefer to stay 30 minutes or under drive time. She has taken summer classes at Raleigh School of Ballet and loved it, but its too far of a drive for class every week.
Keep in mind that I'm in my 40s, so my experience with this school is limited, but as a kid her age, I took classes here:
This was back when Debby Massey Driver was teaching, but the school has expanded a great deal and I really loved it at your daughter's age.
When I was older and living in Raleigh, I took dance classes at a place that I think merged with another studio and I cannot recall which one, so I wouldn't want to recommend.
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@LLCNYC and @RDUBiker, She would probably be fine doing competitions, but as parents we are not ready for it. I have been to a few and do not agree with some of the costumes and dance moves that these young girls are doing and rewarded for. I know both City Ballet and Carolina Dance Center have strong programs, and are not required to compete. But, want to make sure we know all our options and would love personal experiences from dance studios people are at, or have been at.
There are lots of dance schools in Chapel Hill and Durham that don't require competitions with alumni that go on to dance professionally. My kids were into dance when they were younger, but their interest lagged and they dropped it as they got older.
Really ADF is the thing in this area. You can't get a better dance education than that around here. It's just a truly world class and phenomenal resource that we have in our area. They do have youth classes now, I see. Maybe take one class there and see what you and she thinks. It's a drive I know, but if she's really serious...
I think finding an non-competitive school will be difficult. My daughter attends Taylor Academy of Dance in Wake Forest and they have recitals but not competitions.
It does seem at odds that she wants to dance professionally but doesn't want to do competitions...the one is required to do the other
Quote:
Originally Posted by poppydog
There are lots of dance schools in Chapel Hill and Durham that don't require competitions with alumni that go on to dance professionally. My kids were into dance when they were younger, but their interest lagged and they dropped it as they got older.
Really ADF is the thing in this area. You can't get a better dance education than that around here. It's just a truly world class and phenomenal resource that we have in our area. They do have youth classes now, I see. Maybe take one class there and see what you and she thinks. It's a drive I know, but if she's really serious...
The Intensives were what I was thinking of when I first mentioned ADF. If she's still serious about dance when she's 13 sign her up for this: Three Week School - American Dance Festival
Competitions are not necessary for a professional dance career and I would say are actually not recommended either.
Thank you Poppdog! I have added them to my list of summer intensives for when she gets older. Thank you for the great suggestion.
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