ALICATS Dance & More

ALICATS Dance & More Introduce

Introduction / Overview

For parents and children in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and the surrounding communities, ALICATS Dance & More stands as a truly exceptional and multifaceted resource for summer enrichment, year-round performing arts education, and comprehensive aftercare. This organization is much more than a typical summer camp organizer; it's a vibrant community deeply committed to fostering holistic development in every child. As one parent eloquently stated, "Alicats works on teaching students to 'lift them up & build their confidence' which I appreciate. Any teacher can teach skills, techniques, & methods, but there are few teachers who aspire to go beyond that to challenge young dancers to find their passion & use dance to build confidence." This philosophy underscores ALICATS' dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are prepared for success both on and off the stage.

ALICATS Dance & More prides itself on creating an environment where students thrive, not just in their artistic skills but also in their personal growth. The staff is celebrated for their willingness to "build relationships with the students" and cherish their "young untapped potential." For families navigating the often-overwhelming task of finding quality aftercare or enriching summer activities, ALICATS offers a compelling solution, as highlighted by a parent who, after "extensive research," chose ALICATS for its "extensive aftercare program with homework help, included snacks, & one hour class for the students to attend." With a reputation for inspiring hard work, discipline, and lifelong friendships over "7 years" of being part of the "Alicats family," this establishment stands as a cornerstone of performing arts education and child development in the Flowery Branch area.

Location and Accessibility

ALICATS Dance & More is conveniently located at 3616 Atlanta Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542, USA. This strategic address places the dance and performing arts center in a highly accessible area of Flowery Branch, making it an ideal choice for families residing throughout the town and the wider Hall and Gwinnett County regions. Situated directly on Atlanta Highway (US-129/GA-13), the studio benefits from excellent visibility and straightforward navigation from various local neighborhoods and main thoroughfares.

For those traveling by car, the studio's location typically offers ample parking options, which is a significant convenience for parents during busy drop-off and pick-up times for classes and aftercare, as well as for students. The ease of access is crucial for busy families integrating performing arts education into their daily routines. Its placement on a major highway ensures that whether you're coming from Gainesville, Oakwood, Buford, or other surrounding areas, reaching ALICATS Dance & More is a smooth and efficient process. This accessibility underscores ALICATS' commitment to serving the local community efficiently, ensuring that high-quality dance, music, and aftercare opportunities are readily available to all who seek a nurturing and enriching environment for their children. It truly functions as a central hub for artistic and personal development in the Flowery Branch area.

Services Offered

Extensive Aftercare Program:

Designed for elementary-aged children.
Includes dedicated homework help.
Provides included snacks.
Features a daily one-hour class in dance or other performing arts for eligible students.
Offers a structured, safe, and enriching environment after school hours.

Diverse Summer Camps:

Themed dance and performing arts camps for various age groups and interests.
Camps designed to offer a mix of physical activities, socialization, and learning experiences.
Opportunities to try a variety of styles, including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, acro, and musical theater.

Year-Round Dance Classes:

A wide array of dance styles available, including: Acroarts, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theater, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical.
Classes for all ages and skill levels, from preschool to youth and potentially adults.
Focus on building strong technique, artistic expression, and confidence.

Music Lessons:

Both private and group music lessons offered.
Regular "low pressure recitals" for students to perform if they wish.
Music teachers with university degrees and experience in catering to new students.

Performance Opportunities:

Three dance performances throughout the year:
October Show: Specially planned for first-time dancers, a free outdoor performance.
January Performance: Annual "story show" with familiar and original themes (e.g., The Lion King, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz).
Spring Recital (June): Year-end celebration highlighting all dancers, beginner through advanced, designed for comfortable viewing for families.
Opportunities for students to audition for and participate in Broadway plays presented by ALICATS.

Focus on Holistic Child Development:

Emphasis on teaching students to "lift them up & build their confidence."
Guidance on positive social interaction and appropriate communication among students.
Aims for all-rounded student development.

Features / Highlights

Holistic Child Development Philosophy: A standout feature is ALICATS' dedication to nurturing the whole child. They go beyond teaching dance skills, actively working to "lift them up & build their confidence," and instilling "work ethic" and discipline, as well as fostering emotional regulation and communication skills.
Exceptional Aftercare Program: Uniquely offering an "extensive aftercare program with homework help, included snacks, & one hour class," ALICATS provides a comprehensive and enriching solution for working parents, making it a highly practical choice for local families.
Highly Nurturing and Caring Staff: Parents consistently praise the teachers for their willingness to "cherish" students for their "untapped potential" and build strong, trusting relationships. The owner is noted for being "immensely professional & very accepting of feedback," ensuring a comfortable and responsive environment.
Diverse Performing Arts Offerings: ALICATS provides a broad spectrum of classes including Acroarts, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theater, Jazz, Hip Hop, and also offers private and group music lessons, making it a one-stop-shop for varied artistic interests.
Regular, Low-Pressure Performance Opportunities: With three distinct annual performances (October for first-timers, January story show, and June year-end recital), the studio provides ample stage experience in a supportive setting, allowing all dancers to shine.
Focus on Lifelong Lessons: Over "7 years" of experience, families note that their children learn "not only dance lessons but life lessons," including focus, discipline, and the importance of hard work, inspiring them "to be all that she can be."
Strong Parent-School Communication: The school is praised for being "open & willing to communicate with parents," sending frequent emails about various activities and events, ensuring families are always informed and engaged.
Personalized Attention and Rapport: Front desk staff are commended for remembering students by name, demonstrating a personal touch and care that helps build rapport and makes children feel seen and valued.

Contact Information

For families in Flowery Branch, Georgia, and the surrounding areas seeking exceptional summer camps, year-round performing arts education, or a reliable aftercare program, ALICATS Dance & More is readily available to provide comprehensive information and assistance. Here are the essential contact details:

Address: 3616 Atlanta Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542, USA

Phone: (678) 989-0333

Mobile Phone: +1 678-989-0333

Connecting directly with the ALICATS Dance & More team is the most effective way to inquire about specific summer camp dates and themes, aftercare program enrollment, year-round class schedules for dance and music, or any other questions you may have. The dedicated and caring staff are equipped to provide detailed information and guide you through the various offerings, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your child's interests and developmental needs. Reaching out via phone is highly recommended to get personalized assistance and discover how your family can become part of this highly praised local dance and performing arts community. The school's commitment to open communication, as noted by parents, ensures a smooth and informative experience from your very first inquiry.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For residents of Flowery Branch, Georgia, ALICATS Dance & More is an exceptionally suitable and highly beneficial local resource, perfectly addressing the diverse needs of families seeking enriching activities and reliable child care. Its prime location on Atlanta Highway in Flowery Branch ensures unparalleled accessibility, minimizing travel time for busy parents and seamlessly integrating high-quality performing arts education and aftercare into their daily routines. This convenient access means that top-tier instruction and nurturing development are available right within their community.

What truly makes ALICATS Dance & More stand out for locals is its profound commitment to holistic child development. As heartfelt customer reviews consistently highlight, the school actively works to "lift them up & build their confidence," teaching "not only dance lessons but life lessons" such as focus, discipline, and the value of hard work. This dedication to fostering well-rounded individuals, coupled with a staff praised for building strong, caring relationships with students, creates an environment where children feel cherished, safe, and truly inspired. For parents seeking an aftercare program that goes beyond mere supervision, offering "homework help, included snacks, & one hour class," ALICATS provides an unparalleled solution that promotes continuous learning and engagement.

Furthermore, the incredibly diverse range of services, from varied summer camps and year-round dance classes (including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, acro, and musical theater) to private and group music lessons and unique performance opportunities, ensures that ALICATS caters to every artistic interest and age group within the Flowery Branch community. This comprehensive offering means local families can find all their children's artistic and developmental needs met under one highly supportive roof. By fostering a "dance community" where students make "lifelong friendships" and are inspired "to be all that she can be," ALICATS Dance & More is not just a service provider; it's an indispensable and cherished institution that enriches the lives of its students and significantly contributes to the vibrant fabric of the Flowery Branch area.

ALICATS Dance & More Photos

ALICATS Dance & More Location

Georgia Hall County Flowery Branch Atlanta Highway

3616 Atlanta Hwy, Flowery Branch, GA 30542, USA

ALICATS Dance & More Reviews

As a parent, finding an aftercare for your child can be overwhelming. Last year we had an awful experience with Legacy & wanted to pick something different. The aftercare program of Alicats boasted their extensive aftercare program with homework help, included snacks, & one hour class for the students to attend if they were of age. Over the summer, I did extensive research. I joined a few parent Facebook groups & asked for other parents recommendations. When school was about to begin, we decided to forgo fully prepaid lessons at another school & have her join Alicats.As a former preschool assistant director, I know firsthand that students appreciate far more whether their teacher cares for them, versus how much knowledge their teacher knows. A child who looks up to their elder will seek out & learn from trusted adults for this reason. Similarly, young children care whether a teacher is willing to cherish them for their young untapped potential.Alicats works on teaching students to “lift them up & build their confidence" which I appreciate. Any teacher can teach skills, techniques, & methods, but there are few teachers who aspire to go beyond that to challenge young dancers to find their passion & use dance to build confidence. I have seen several teachers who are willing to build this relationships with the students based on my interactions & hearing other classrooms.My daughter has been able to explore acroarts, ballet, tap, musical theater & has recently auditioned for a Broadway play that is being presented by Alicats. Her confidence has grown & she is always asking to stay longer to play with her friends.There was only one instance where I reached out to the owner with concerns on how a teacher was speaking to the students, & the response from the owner was immensely professional & very accepting of the feedback. It also seems like it was handled professionally which makes me feel comfortable for my child.I can appreciate how teachers work with the students as well to ensure they play well together & communicate appropriately with each other. My daughter did discuss with me that teachers do not allow students to cross their arms over their chest as it might portray them as "angry" which I thought was interesting take on body language. My hope is that students are still allowed to express when they are upset or angry in a meaningful discussion. Their discipline system seems to include yellow & red colored stickers put on the child or next to a name which I am unsure how I feel on. I am still getting more information from my daughter on this and explained to her that there are a lot of students they are constantly working with so certain discipline systems are used more than others. She is exposed to lots of different scenarios that I feel are important for her to learn the skills needed to emotionally regulate as we are a home that focuses on discussions & always expressing ourselves.I appreciate how open & willing the school is to communicate with parents. We get emails often on different items such as pictures, recitals, special parent nights out, camps, etc. I would love to see the school organize more events for the parents to interact with the teachers & classes. It does seem that Alicats aim to be involved in a student’s all-rounded development. This holistic approach to education is rare these days.Another vital detail is that the front desk staff, remembered us. I imagine that Alicats has many students, so it is praiseworthy that the staff were able to established rapport with our daughter by remembering her name & all the other students' names.I highly recommend parents to think about these questions:What qualities should you value in a dance teacher/school?Is it the many awards on the wall that makes a dance teacher great? Is it the cost of tuition? Or is it the relationship bond established between the child & teacher?"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."- William Arthur Ward
Nov 17, 2023 · Gina A
We have been part of the Alicats family for over 7 years. Our daughter has learned not only dance lessons but life lessons. She has made lifelong friendships and learned to be focused and disciplined that helps in all areas of life. They teach her that if she wants something bad enough, you have to work hard for it. They inspire her to be all that she can be.
Nov 09, 2022 · Lori Castle
I am in my 12th year in Alicats' adult tap/jazz class. I can't say enough good things about Alison and her staff! They provide a loving, Christian, caring environment for their dancers. No bullying or shaming is tolerated and the awesome dance skills they are taught will amaze you. I have been a dancer since my teens, and my daughter danced for several years as a child. Alicats is the best studio that I have ever been affiliated with and I am proud to be a member of the P.R.I.D.E.😃
Oct 06, 2022 · Debra McEwen
My 9 year old daughter loves being at Alicats! This year she is part of the junior performing arts company. She has already made wonderful friendships and has an older dancer who is a big sister figure. This is so awesome for her as my daughter is the oldest and doesn’t have an older sibling at home. I’m am looking forward to her getting an amazing dance education through ALICATS! My 3 year old daughter will also be starting this fall and she can not wait!!! We highly recommend Alicats!
Aug 07, 2019 · Kaylee Baty
ALICATS Dance & More is family! My daughter has been working in the Acrobatic Arts program for 3 years and the progress she has made is amazing. She rose from a Level 1/2 to performing Level 7 skills! She absolutely LOVES the program and couldn't imagine going anywhere else. They are one of the few certified Acro Arts programs in Georgia! ALL of the programs at ALICATS are dedicated to building your child's confidence and to grow their passion for dance. Best of Hall 2018 Winner. Looking for a dance studio who embraces everyone, then ALICATS is on the one for you!!
Aug 07, 2019 · Melanie Alexander