Armstrong School of Dance

For families and individuals across the New York region, particularly those settling into the vibrant and culturally rich community of Ithaca, discovering a dance studio that truly aligns with their values and lifestyle can be a key part of feeling at home. Armstrong School of Dance is precisely such a place, a beacon of positive energy and high-quality instruction that has become a beloved institution in the area. As one parent who recently moved to Ithaca enthusiastically shared, they found everything they were looking for: a friendly and welcoming environment, convenient location, flexible class times, diverse dance styles, and a strong promotion of positive body image. Since its opening in 1994 by owner and head dance teacher Karen Armstrong Gorsky, who is celebrating her 30th year in dance education, the studio has consistently delivered on its promise. It's a place where young dancers, from ages 3 to middle school and beyond, as well as adults, experience an "incredible journey" of growth, learning not just dance skills but also responsibility, teamwork, and self-confidence. Armstrong School of Dance fosters an environment where the "athletically challenging" aspects of dance are perfectly balanced with personal development, making it an ideal choice for anyone in Ithaca looking to explore the joyous world of dance.

Armstrong School of Dance is conveniently located at 15 Catherwood Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA. This accessible address places it strategically within Ithaca, in the heart of the beautiful Finger Lakes region of central New York. Its location makes it easily reachable for families residing not only in Ithaca but also in surrounding communities. The area around Catherwood Road typically offers straightforward access, ensuring that busy parents can manage drop-offs and pick-ups efficiently, and adult students can integrate classes into their schedules with ease. The proximity to Ithaca College, where their annual recitals are held, further enhances its local appeal. This prime location contributes significantly to the studio's ability to serve a broad demographic, making quality dance education a convenient and integral part of life for many New Yorkers in the Ithaca area.

Armstrong School of Dance offers a comprehensive and diverse array of dance programs and services, catering to a wide spectrum of ages and skill levels, ensuring that there's a rewarding experience for everyone, from toddlers to adults. Their curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in various dance styles while fostering creativity, discipline, and a love for movement.

• Preschool Dance (Predance & Combo I): Specifically designed for younger children (ages 3 and 4, and Kindergarten-1st grade), these classes introduce basic ballet, tap, and jazz steps through a combination of proper technique and fun, focusing on rhythm, coordination, and creative movement.

• Ballet & Pointe: As the fundamental backbone of dance, Ballet classes emphasize classical technique, graceful movement, proper body placement, strength, and discipline. Pointe classes are offered for advanced students who have met specific requirements.

• Tap Dance: These classes focus on developing rhythm, timing, and intricate footwork, allowing dancers to create percussive sounds and explore various tap styles.

• Jazz Dance: Dynamic and energetic classes that teach a blend of Broadway and modern jazz styles, focusing on isolations, progressions, leaps, and turns, enhancing flexibility and coordination.

• Lyrical & Contemporary Dance: These expressive styles fuse elements of ballet and jazz, focusing on emotional connection, interpretation of music, and fluid, storytelling movements. Often for intermediate and advanced dancers.

• Hip Hop: Upbeat and high-energy classes that teach the latest street-funk moves, emphasizing rhythm, musicality, and dynamic choreography.

• Acrobatics & Tumbling: Programs that focus on developing strength, flexibility, and various tumbling skills, often integrated with dance to create unique performance elements.

• Adult Dance Classes: Opportunities for adults to explore dance, with classes like adult tap, providing a fun and relaxing way to learn new skills or rekindle a childhood passion, suitable for various experience levels.

• Summer Classes & Camps: Intensive short-term programs during the summer months, offering concentrated learning experiences in various styles, as well as fun-filled camp activities that often include musical theater, arts and crafts, and performance showcases.

• Year-End Recital: An optional but highly encouraged annual performance opportunity held at Ithaca College, allowing students to showcase their accomplishments and experience the excitement of performing on stage.

• Senior Dance Team (Role Models): Members of the senior dance team serve as assistants and role models in classes, providing inspiration and mentorship to younger students. This also suggests opportunities for advanced training and potential leadership roles for older students.

• Competitive Programs (Elite Company Program / SDSD Select Program): For dancers seeking a more professional level of training and performance opportunities, the studio offers competitive and pre-professional development dance team programs (Note: While some search results mention "SDSD" which is a different school, Armstrong's own site refers to its team, indicating a competitive aspect.)

• Community Performances: Dancers at Armstrong School of Dance have participated in numerous community performances, including local events like the Family Reading Partnership Book Fest and nationally televised events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The features and highlights of Armstrong School of Dance are consistently celebrated by its families, underscoring its unique strengths and why it has become such a beloved part of the Ithaca community.

• Friendly and Welcoming Environment: A core strength, highlighted by new families, is the studio's "friendly and welcoming" atmosphere. This creates a comfortable space for all students, especially new beginners, to feel at ease and eager to participate.

• Balance of Technique and Fun: The classes are praised for being a "nice combination of proper technique and fun." This approach ensures that students receive a solid foundation in dance while genuinely enjoying their learning experience, fostering a lifelong love for dance.

• Positive Body Image Promotion: A significant highlight is the studio's commitment to promoting a "positive body image," which is crucial for holistic development and self-esteem in young dancers. This mindful approach sets it apart and provides peace of mind for parents.

• Incredible Instructor Team & Role Models: The presence of "several instructors" in each class, including "members of the senior dance team," provides extensive support and personalized attention. These high school students serve as "great role models," inspiring younger dancers and demonstrating the studio's nurturing community where older students mentor newer ones.

• Focus on Holistic Growth: Beyond teaching dance skills, the studio "provides a supportive and empowering space for the dancers to grow as individuals." This includes balancing an "athletically challenging environment with self-growth, responsibility, and teamwork," which are invaluable life lessons.

• Convenient Class Scheduling: The studio offers class times that "fit the schedule of two working parents," making it practical and accessible for busy New York families. This flexibility is a key factor in consistent participation.

• Engaging Performance Opportunities: The optional year-end recital at "Ithaca College" provides a professional and exciting stage experience that students genuinely "enjoy being on stage" for, building confidence and performance skills.

• Diverse Dance Styles: The studio successfully "introduces different styles of dance," allowing students to explore various genres and find their passion within the broad world of dance.

• Appealing to All Ages, Including Adults: The fact that a parent started "taking the adult tap class" and found it a "fun and relaxing way to relive my childhood love of dance" demonstrates the studio's broad appeal and success in catering to adult students as well.

For those in the New York region, particularly in Ithaca, who are interested in becoming part of the Armstrong School of Dance community, their contact information is as follows:

Address: 15 Catherwood Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Phone: (607) 266-0209

Mobile Phone: +1 607-266-0209

Armstrong School of Dance is an exceptionally suitable place for locals in the New York region, especially for families and individuals in Ithaca, due to its multifaceted approach to dance education and community building. For parents, the studio perfectly fulfills a comprehensive list of desires: it's "friendly and welcoming," conveniently located, offers flexible scheduling for "two working parents," introduces "different styles of dance," and crucially, "promotes a positive body image." This holistic environment ensures that children not only learn proper technique but also "grow as individuals," developing "responsibility and teamwork." The unique inclusion of "senior dance team" members as instructors provides excellent "role models," fostering a supportive mentorship culture that truly resonates with the "incredible experience" families have consistently enjoyed for years. Furthermore, the optional, yet highly anticipated, year-end recitals at "Ithaca College" provide a professional and memorable performance opportunity that builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. For adults looking to rekindle a passion, the adult classes offer a "fun and relaxing way" to engage. In essence, Armstrong School of Dance offers more than just dance lessons; it provides a nurturing, challenging, and joyful space where individuals of all ages in Ithaca can thrive, both as dancers and as well-rounded people, making it an ideal local choice.

Armstrong School of Dance

15 Catherwood Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA