Dance Foundry

For families and individuals in Georgia, especially within the vibrant Decatur community, discovering a dance studio that truly balances exceptional instruction with a nurturing environment can be a pivotal find. Dance Foundry stands out as such a place, offering a comprehensive dance education for students of all ages and levels. Under the expert guidance of its directors, Kelly Oakes Dent and Jennilee Garcia, Dance Foundry has cultivated a reputation for providing not just outstanding technical training but also a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where students thrive both as dancers and as individuals.

Dance Foundry is dedicated to instilling an exemplary dance foundation with consistency and accountability, all within a safe and friendly environment. Their mission is clear: to provide creative performing opportunities for aspiring young dancers, encouraging artistic growth and a comprehensive dance education. This commitment is evident in their diverse class offerings, spanning classical ballet, energetic tap, expressive modern, dynamic jazz, and engaging hip hop. Whether a young child is just discovering the joy of movement, a teenager is looking to deepen their technique, or an adult wishes to embrace dance as a hobby, Dance Foundry has a place for everyone. The studio's public performances, notably the annual "Nutcracker" in December and the Spring Show in April, are eagerly anticipated events that showcase the hard work and talent of their students, providing delightful and inspiring experiences for the entire community.

Dance Foundry is conveniently located at 2977 E Ponce de Leon Ave c, Decatur, GA 30030, USA. This address places the studio in a well-established and easily accessible area within Decatur, a bustling city in DeKalb County, Georgia. Ponce de Leon Avenue is a major thoroughfare, ensuring straightforward navigation whether you're coming from central Decatur, Avondale Estates, Stone Mountain, or other parts of the broader Atlanta metropolitan area. The studio's accessibility is a key advantage for busy Georgia families, making it simple to incorporate dance classes into their weekly schedules without significant travel burdens.

Being situated in a commercial district typically means that ample parking options are available in the vicinity, further enhancing the convenience for students and parents. This thoughtful consideration for practical accessibility underscores Dance Foundry's dedication to providing a hassle-free and enjoyable experience for its community. Its location allows it to serve as a central hub for dance education, drawing students from various neighborhoods and reinforcing its role as a significant cultural asset in the Decatur area.

Dance Foundry offers a comprehensive curriculum spanning various dance disciplines, catering to a wide range of ages and skill levels. Their classes are designed to provide a well-rounded dance education, fostering both technical proficiency and artistic expression. Here's an overview of the services they provide:

• Ballet Classes: Dance Foundry provides ballet instruction for toddlers, children, and adults, from pre-ballet programs for the youngest dancers (ages 3+) focusing on basics and motor skills in a fun atmosphere, to beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels for older students. These classes emphasize vocabulary, proper placement, body awareness, combinations, stamina, and strength.
• Creative Movement: Specifically for younger children (ages 4-5), these classes introduce the joy of movement through structured play and age-appropriate exercises.
• Jazz Dance Classes: Rhythmic and upbeat, jazz classes focus on body isolations, proper alignment, leaps, turns, and musicality. They encompass styles from classical jazz to contemporary-jazz, commercial jazz, and jazz funk.
• Modern Dance Classes: Offered from beginner through advanced levels, modern dance explores expressive movement, encouraging students to develop their own movement vocabulary through various professional techniques and improvisation.
• Tap Dance Classes: Students learn to use their shoes and the floor as percussive instruments, exploring both rhythm tap (focus on music and rhythms) and Broadway tap (focus on dance), along with musicality and timing.
• Hip Hop Classes: These classes delve into street dance styles performed to hip hop music, including basics of Breaking, Locking, Popping, and newer styles like Dance Industry/Commercial/New Style and Lyrical Hip Hop. Emphasis is placed on musicality and often includes freestyle (improv) elements.
• Acro-Dance: A fusion of artistic dance motion and the athleticism of acrobatics, incorporating tumbling, balance, and contortion. Students are typically required to take a concurrent ballet, jazz, lyrical/contemporary, or modern class.
• Musical Theater: A theatrical dance style that combines dancing and acting to songs from Broadway musicals, teaching basics of acting, character development, and storytelling through movement.
• Classes for All Ages and Levels: Dance Foundry prides itself on offering classes for students of all ages and levels, including beginning classes for teens and adults, making dance accessible for those with or without prior experience, whether for a hobby or a serious pursuit.
• Annual "Nutcracker" Production: A highlight of their year, Dance Foundry presents its own beloved production of "The Nutcracker" in December, providing a significant performance opportunity for students and a cherished holiday tradition for the community.
• Spring Show and Recital: In April, the studio holds a Spring Show and Recital, showcasing the progress and talents of all its students in a delightful concert setting.

Dance Foundry boasts several distinctive features and highlights that contribute to its standing as a highly recommended dance school in Georgia:

• Experienced and Dedicated Directors: Co-directors Kelly Oakes Dent and Jennilee Garcia bring extensive experience to the studio. Kelly Oakes Dent has over 30 years of experience as an artistic director, choreographer, and dance instructor, and is one of the few registered Royal Academy of Dance ballet instructors in Georgia. Jennilee Garcia, originally from Puerto Rico, has a strong background in ballet and commercial dancing, having trained with members of the National Ballet of Cuba and performed internationally. Their combined expertise ensures top-tier instruction.
• Excellent Instruction Focused on Student Interest: Reviews consistently praise the "excellent instruction" and highlight that the studio is "centered around what is in the best interest of the students." This student-centric approach fosters genuine growth and a positive learning experience.
• Comprehensive Dance Curriculum: The wide range of classes offered—ballet, tap, modern, jazz, hip hop, acro-dance, and musical theater—provides a holistic dance education, allowing students to explore various styles and develop versatility.
• Inclusivity for All Ages and Levels: Dance Foundry truly caters to everyone, from young children to teens and adults, offering beginning classes even for those without prior experience. This welcoming atmosphere makes dance accessible to a broader community.
• Inspiring Public Performances: The studio produces high-quality public performances, including the cherished annual "Nutcracker" in December and the lively Spring Show in April. These concerts are described as "delightful," "beautiful," and "inspiring," offering valuable stage experience for students and cultural enrichment for audiences.
• Nurturing and Supportive Environment: Parents consistently describe Dance Foundry as an "amazing place to dance" where their daughters have had "an amazing and wonderful experience." This indicates a positive, supportive, and family-like atmosphere that encourages dancers to thrive.
• Focus on Foundational Skills: The mission to instill "an exemplary dance foundation with consistency and accountability" ensures that students build strong technical skills crucial for long-term growth in dance.
• Creative Performing Opportunities: Beyond technique, the studio emphasizes providing opportunities for artistic growth and expression through regular performances.

For those in Georgia eager to explore the world of dance, enroll a child in enriching classes, or simply attend a captivating performance, connecting with Dance Foundry is simple. Their team is ready to provide information about class schedules, registration, upcoming shows, and any other inquiries you may have. Reaching out via phone is often the most direct way to get personalized assistance.

Address: 2977 E Ponce de Leon Ave c, Decatur, GA 30030, USA

Phone: (678) 631-8212

Mobile Phone: +1 678-631-8212

Dance Foundry is an exceptional and highly suitable choice for locals in Georgia, particularly for families and individuals in Decatur and the surrounding Atlanta metropolitan area, for a myriad of reasons. Its core strength lies in its commitment to providing an "excellent instruction" that is "centered around what is in the best interest of the students." This philosophy, championed by experienced directors Kelly Oakes Dent and Jennilee Garcia, creates a nurturing and effective learning environment where dancers of all ages and levels can truly flourish. Whether a child begins with creative movement at a young age or an adult decides to try ballet or tap for the first time, the studio's inclusive approach ensures that everyone feels welcome and supported.

The comprehensive range of dance styles offered – from classical ballet to contemporary hip hop – provides a well-rounded artistic education, allowing students to explore their interests and develop versatile skills. The public performances, especially the beloved annual "Nutcracker" and the dynamic Spring Show, are not just showcases of talent but also significant cultural events for the community, offering inspiring entertainment for audiences and invaluable stage experience for performers. Dance Foundry's convenient location in Decatur makes it easily accessible for local residents, integrating seamlessly into daily life. Ultimately, for any Georgia local seeking a dance school that prioritizes both artistic excellence and the holistic development of its students in a friendly and professional setting, Dance Foundry stands as a highly recommended and cherished community asset.

Dance Foundry

2977 E Ponce de Leon Ave c, Decatur, GA 30030, USA