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American Dance AcademySchool DanceNew YorkSaratoga CountySchool Dance in Crescent RoadDance Department

Dance Department

1536 Crescent Rd #12, Clifton Park, NY 12065, USA

4.0
Go literally anywhere else. On the surface it seems nice enough, but has lots of problems. There are major attitude, behavior, and clique problems. It's been so bad the last year that as of this summer 4 different competition team dancers have left the studio in the last 12 months.Communication is severely lacking. Parents rarely hear anything and when they do emails are vague and often unclear. Additionally, lots of things are driven by text message to students the day-before or last-minute, including schedule changes for things that should have been planned and communicated farther in advance.This studio is mostly focused on dance competitions, not technique (regardless of what they claim). I frequently heard from my kid "all we did was the same choreography today". Maybe once a month I'd hear "oh my god we actually did technique today".Classes frequently start late as prior classes run over. Students often show up late leading to delays. Classes waste an inordinate amount of time discussing social media, gossip, or because a teacher has a friend visiting and distracting them. I get frustrated when I pick up my daughter and commonly hear "we stood around for half the class because of STUPID-REASON".Not welcoming. There's no waiting room or opportunity to really meet the teachers. I didn't even know what they looked like for the first year we were there. I've attended all my daughter's dance competitions for multiple YEARS and have yet to have the Studio Owner or a single teacher stop and introduce themselves. NOT ONCE. I know that dance comps aren't meet-and-greets, but basic manners aren't that hard. All it takes is a single sentence such as "oh hi, are you KID'S parents? Nice to meet you, I'm NAME and I teach DANCE_STYLE".Their Competition Team is ok, but it's made so much harder than it needs to be and is plagued by cliques. There's a clique of younger kids and one of older kids. If you're not in either one you might as well forget it. Kids are intentionally excluded from things over and over. Bad behavior occurs in front of teachers on multiple occasions and they ignore it. My kid repeatedly told me about something rude another student did or said that was directly heard or observed by a teacher and then ignored.There is also a BAFFLING lack of communication with out-of-town competitions, unless you're in one of the cliques of course. Comp after comp certain kids would get excluded from team gatherings or activities. We'd see pictures or hear conversations that these things were involving much or most of the comp team, except for the kids that weren't in the 2 cliques. After one of the dance comps this year we saw the studio post a photo to social media that showed most of the comp team (minis, juniors, seniors) in a hotel lobby posing for a photo together. Apparently they were staying in the same hotel together (gee, thanks for not telling the whole comp team) or at the very least all decided to get together there to hang out and/or take a group picture. It should not be a surprise the SAME kids as usual were excluded and had no idea this was happening. It's pathetic that not a single child or adult there had the common decency or empathy to ask who might be missing and think to text them (they all have each other's cell numbers). This particular occurrence just mentally crushed my daughter as it was one of a dozen similar experiences that just reinforced they don't want her there.Just to reinforce that we're not being paranoid another example. At the next out of town comp we picked a hotel that was quite a ways up the highway from the recommended hotels for that comp and even across the state line. The next morning we were there we saw multiple members of the studio in the lobby including one who seemed surprised we were staying there, but not surprised at all the other comp team members there. Year after year we wondered how strange it was that the majority of the comp team ended up at the same hotels for out-of-town comps except for the same few kids. It's not paranoia when it's true. - Steven Minher
Dance Department Overview Intro Photos Location Reviews

Dance Department Introduce

For families across the Capital Region of New York, particularly in areas like Clifton Park, finding a local dance studio that aligns with their values and offers quality instruction is a key consideration. Dance Department, located right here in Clifton Park, has been a part of our community's dance scene, aiming to provide a space for young dancers to explore their passion for movement. They strive to share the joy of dance while helping students develop important qualities like self-confidence, self-discipline, and respect, all within a structured yet engaging learning environment.

The studio offers a variety of dance styles, catering to different interests and age groups, from preschoolers taking their first steps to more advanced dancers. Their mission emphasizes fostering a love for dance and helping students grow not just as performers, but as individuals. For many local families, a neighborhood dance studio becomes a significant part of their child's upbringing, offering a consistent activity that promotes physical activity, artistic expression, and social interaction.

Dance Department focuses on providing professional instruction across a range of popular dance disciplines. Their classes are structured to guide students through technique and choreography, culminating in an annual recital held in June, where students can showcase their hard work and progress. This end-of-year performance is often a highlight for both students and their families, celebrating their achievements on stage.

Dance Department is situated at 1536 Crescent Road #12, Clifton Park, NY 12065, USA. This location places it conveniently within the Clifton Park area, making it accessible for residents not only within Clifton Park itself but also from neighboring communities such as Halfmoon, Ballston Lake, and Rexford. Crescent Road is a well-traveled thoroughfare in the area, contributing to the studio's ease of access.

As a local business operating within a plaza or commercial complex, Dance Department typically benefits from shared parking facilities, which is a common convenience in the Capital Region's suburban areas. This helps to ensure that parents and students can find parking readily, making drop-offs and pick-ups more manageable, especially during busy class times. The studio's presence in Clifton Park means it's part of the fabric of our community, easily integrated into daily routines for families in the area looking for local extracurricular activities. Its accessible location helps it serve the dance education needs of many young New Yorkers in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Services Offered:

  • Professional instruction in a variety of dance styles for ages 3 through adult.
  • Classes running from September to June, culminating in an annual recital.
  • A special "Tiny Dancer Department" designed for preschoolers (ages 2.5-5), focusing on fundamentals of movement in a fun and creative environment.
  • Instruction in **Tap**, emphasizing rhythm and musicality through footwork.
  • **Jazz** classes, focusing on technique, terminology, and expressive style.
  • **Ballet** instruction, providing the foundational technique for many dance forms.
  • **Hip-Hop** classes, focusing on stylized movements, rhythm, and encouraging freestyle.
  • **Creative Movement** classes for the youngest dancers, introducing basic dance manners and body awareness.
  • **Social Dancing** opportunities, as part of their comprehensive offerings.
  • Classes available for all ability levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
  • Individual attention provided to all students from qualified instructors.
  • Opportunities to participate in dance competitions for competitive team dancers.

Features / Highlights:

  • Focus on developing **self-confidence, self-discipline, concentration, and respect** for self and others.
  • A structured yet fun learning environment for dancers.
  • Dedicated to sharing the **joy of the art of dance**.
  • Annual recital in June provides a significant performance opportunity for all students.
  • Programs designed to teach fundamentals of movement and dance in a positive and creative way for preschoolers.
  • Offers a wide range of styles, allowing students to explore various dance forms.
  • Staffed by **qualified instructors** committed to providing individual attention.
  • A local presence in the Clifton Park community, serving area families.
  • A consistent schedule from September to June, providing a regular and reliable activity for children.

Contact Information:

Address: 1536 Crescent Rd #12, Clifton Park, NY 12065, USA

Phone: (518) 371-1568

For families in Clifton Park and the surrounding areas of New York's Capital Region, Dance Department offers a local option for dance education. The studio aims to provide a structured yet enjoyable environment for children and adults to engage with the art of dance. Its commitment to offering a variety of styles, from ballet to hip-hop, means that many different interests and age groups can find a class that suits them. The consistent schedule and annual recital provide clear goals and performance opportunities for students, which can be a rewarding aspect of a dance education.

While local experiences can vary widely depending on individual perspectives, Dance Department is part of the array of dance studios available to our community. Some families value the competitive dance focus, which can provide a disciplined pathway for dedicated students to pursue their dance aspirations. The opportunity for students to showcase their learned choreography and technique at competitions can be a strong motivator for those interested in performance. For those seeking to develop their technique, self-discipline, and stage presence, a studio with a focus on competitive dance might align with their goals.

Ultimately, choosing a dance studio is a personal decision for each family. It often comes down to finding a place where the atmosphere, teaching philosophy, and class offerings resonate with both the student and their parents. For those in Clifton Park and nearby areas who are looking for a local dance school with a focus on competitive dance and a range of styles, Dance Department presents itself as an option within our New York community. We encourage prospective families to connect with the studio directly to learn more about their programs and determine if it's the right fit for their aspiring dancer.

Dance Department Photos

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Dance Department Location

Dance Department

1536 Crescent Rd #12, Clifton Park, NY 12065, USA

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