Charlotte Dance Alliance

Welcome, Matthews and Charlotte families! If you're searching for a dance studio that combines a rich legacy with a cutting-edge approach to dance education, look no further than Charlotte Dance Alliance (CDA). Evolving from the long-standing Fancy Feet Dance Studio, CDA brings over 32 years of dance tradition and strong family values to our local community. For generations of dancers, from toddlers taking their very first steps to advanced adults, this studio has been a place where passion for movement is nurtured, skills are honed, and confidence blossoms.

Charlotte Dance Alliance is more than just a place to learn choreography; it’s a vibrant community dedicated to developing well-rounded individuals. They strive to instill life skills like respect, teamwork, and the importance of community service, alongside dance technique. While the transition from Fancy Feet to Charlotte Dance Alliance aimed to build upon a strong foundation, recent feedback highlights areas of both significant strength and concern within the community. This article will provide you with a comprehensive look at CDA, outlining its offerings, features, and direct contact information, to help you make an informed decision for your family’s dance journey in the greater Charlotte area.

Charlotte Dance Alliance is conveniently located at 1898 Windsor Square Dr Suite B, Matthews, NC 28105, USA. This address places the studio within a well-known and easily accessible area for residents throughout Matthews and the surrounding Charlotte communities, particularly those in the southeastern parts of Mecklenburg County. Windsor Square Drive is part of a commercial hub, which typically means straightforward navigation and ample parking for students and their families.

The accessibility of the studio is a significant advantage for busy local families, reducing travel time and making it easier to integrate dance classes into daily schedules. Being situated in a commercial suite provides a dedicated and professional environment for dance instruction. This prime location allows Charlotte Dance Alliance to serve a wide radius of local families seeking quality dance education in a convenient setting, minimizing logistical challenges and maximizing the focus on the art of dance.

Charlotte Dance Alliance offers a comprehensive range of dance and movement classes designed for a wide array of ages and skill levels, emphasizing both recreational enjoyment and competitive excellence.

• Mommy & Me Fun Gym: Starting for the youngest dancers at 18 months, these classes create a supportive space for parents and children to explore movement, music, and creativity together, fostering social and developmental growth.
• Preschool Ballet: Introduced for children beginning at 2 years old, these classes provide foundational ballet instruction tailored for very young students.
• Floor Gymnastics / Acro: Classes begin at 3 years old, focusing on flexibility, strength, and acrobatic skills that complement dance training.
• Hip Hop (Little Hoppers through Adult): Hip Hop classes are available starting from 3 years old ("Little Hoppers") and extend through adult levels, offering high-energy, urban dance instruction.
• Core Dance Styles: CDA offers comprehensive instruction in classical and contemporary dance forms, including:
  • Ballet
  • Tap
  • Jazz
  • Lyrical
  • Contemporary
  • Pointe (for advanced students)
• Beginner Teen & Adult Classes: Dedicated classes are available for older students and adults who are new to dance or looking to refresh their skills. Advanced adult classes are also offered for serious students.
• Competitive Elite Teams: CDA has a strong competitive program with award-winning instruction for over 32 years. Teams range from Mini Elite (age 4+) through Pre-Elite and Senior Elite Teams, competing in various styles (ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro, hip hop).
• CDA CREW Hip Hop Program: A competitive hip hop program specifically designed for dancers who perform at local charity events, recitals, and regional competitions.
• Leadership Skills & Improv: Beyond technical dance, CDA also integrates training in leadership skills and improvisation, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals.
• Summer Programs: The studio offers summer dance class programs, including unlimited drop-in passes and VIP all-access passes, providing flexible options for continued training during the summer months. These often feature exciting themes and guest instructors.
• Private Lessons and Workshops: While not explicitly detailed, comprehensive studios typically offer private lessons for individualized attention and workshops with guest artists for enhanced learning.

Charlotte Dance Alliance presents several compelling features and highlights that, for many local families, make it a distinguished choice in the dance community. However, it's also important to acknowledge areas where the studio has faced criticism, allowing for a balanced perspective.

• Long-Standing Legacy and Experience: CDA is backed by over 32 years of dance tradition, inheriting the legacy of Fancy Feet Dance Studio. This extensive experience suggests a deep understanding of dance education and community needs.
• Comprehensive Age Range: The studio truly caters to all ages, from Mommy & Me classes starting at 18 months, through preschool and youth programs, up to advanced adult classes. This inclusivity allows for long-term dancer development within one institution.
• Diverse Dance Styles Offered: With classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Pointe, Floor Gymnastics/Acro, and more, CDA provides a rich curriculum that allows dancers to explore various genres and develop a broad skill set.
• Award-Winning Competitive Teams: CDA boasts award-winning Elite Competition Teams and a CREW Hip Hop program, indicating a strong focus on high-level performance and competitive success. This is a significant highlight for aspiring competitive dancers.
• Nurturing and Caring Staff (as per one review): One parent enthusiastically states, "The staff are so loving and friendly! I can tell they truly care about each and every one of the dancers who walk into the buildings. We are always greeted with the warmest smile and thoughtful words." This highlights a positive and welcoming atmosphere for many.
• Focus on Holistic Development: CDA aims to cultivate well-rounded individuals, instilling "life skills like treating yourself and others with respect, how to be part of a team, and the importance of community service." They strive to inspire and shape students to be better artists and people.
• Leadership and Improv Training: The inclusion of "Leadership Skills" and "Improv" in their offerings suggests a commitment to developing more than just technical dance abilities, fostering creativity and personal growth.

Despite these positive aspects, one review highlights a significant concern regarding the studio's handling of bullying:

• Bullying Concerns (as per one review): A former parent reported that their daughter was "bullied right out of this school by very mean and nasty girls," including receiving hurtful text messages. The parent also stated that despite multiple complaints to the owner, Miss Paula, "she never did anything about it," leading to the daughter's decision to quit dance entirely. This suggests a potential gap in effective anti-bullying measures or responsiveness to parental concerns for some families.

For Charlotte and Matthews residents interested in connecting with Charlotte Dance Alliance, here is their direct contact information:

Address: 1898 Windsor Square Dr Suite B, Matthews, NC 28105, USA

Phone: (704) 847-7138

For families in Matthews and the greater Charlotte, North Carolina, area, Charlotte Dance Alliance presents itself as a dance studio with a long-standing tradition and a comprehensive array of programs suitable for various interests and ages. Its transition from Fancy Feet Dance Studio underscores a deep root in the local dance community, offering programs from "Mommy & Me Fun Gym" for toddlers as young as 18 months, all the way through advanced adult classes. This wide age range and diverse offering of styles—including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Pointe, and Acro—make it a versatile option for recreational dancers and those aspiring to competitive excellence.

For many local families, the positive aspects highlighted in reviews, such as "loving and friendly staff" who "truly care about each and every one of the dancers," are strong indicators of a nurturing environment where children can thrive. The emphasis on holistic development, incorporating leadership skills and the importance of teamwork, aligns with what many parents seek in extracurricular activities for their children. The studio's award-winning competitive teams also offer a compelling pathway for serious dancers looking to challenge themselves and perform at high levels.

However, prospective local families should also be aware of past concerns raised by a reviewer regarding bullying and the perceived lack of action from studio management. While not reflecting the experience of all families, such feedback underscores the importance of parental vigilance and direct communication when choosing a dance home. For those prioritizing a wide array of dance genres, a competitive track, and a generally welcoming atmosphere, Charlotte Dance Alliance offers significant value. It is advisable for new families to engage directly with the studio, perhaps observe classes, and discuss any concerns to ensure it is the right fit for their child's unique needs and their family's expectations for a dance community.

Charlotte Dance Alliance

1898 Windsor Square Dr Suite B, Matthews, NC 28105, USA