Dance Place

Hello, Massachusetts residents! Are you or your children looking for a vibrant and supportive place to explore the world of dance right here in our community? Look no further than Dance Place in Arlington, MA, a cherished local institution that has been fostering a love for movement for over three decades. This article will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Dance Place, detailing its rich history, diverse class offerings, convenient location, and the unique qualities that make it a truly special hub for dancers and families across the Commonwealth.

Dance Place is more than just a dance studio; it's a thriving community dedicated to providing a space for students to create and explore movement in a fun, creative, and positive atmosphere. Established in 1992 with just thirty-two students and one teacher, Dance Place has grown significantly over the years, sharing its passion for dance with thousands of young dancers and their families. Their mission, as a recreational dance school, is rooted in fostering teamwork, listening abilities, commitment, and self-esteem, alongside teaching dance skills and technique. They aim to help students express themselves freely through motion, transforming imagination into movement.

The heartfelt testimonials from current families truly capture the essence of Dance Place. One parent enthusiastically shared, "Our kids love Dance Place and have been dancing for 8 years. It’s a wonderful community and everyone is welcome. There are so many opportunities to dance. All of the teachers are amazing, and we thank them very much." Another parent highlighted specific experiences: "We love Dance Place!! Our son (age 7) has been taking jazz & hip hop classes at Dance Place for a couple of years, and loves it. He has many classes/activities, but dance is the only one that he begs to attend. Every spring, his class participates in a recital; in the winter, he has the opportunity to take part in the Nutcracker. These are both lovely and adorable community events. Christine, who somehow oversees everything, is a gem." These reviews clearly demonstrate the studio's success in creating a welcoming, engaging, and enriching environment where students not only learn to dance but also develop important life skills and a strong sense of belonging. Christine, the integral figure who oversees operations, is consistently lauded for her exceptional management and positive influence on the community.

Dance Place is conveniently located at 182 Broadway, Arlington, MA 02474, USA. This address places the studio in a well-established and accessible part of Arlington, a vibrant town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, known for its strong community and proximity to Boston. Broadway is a prominent thoroughfare, making the studio straightforward to locate for residents and visitors alike.

For those traveling by car, the location on Broadway provides relatively easy access. Parking in Arlington can sometimes require attention to signage; however, commercial areas like this often offer street parking or nearby municipal lots. The Town of Arlington does have on-street and metered parking, with meters accepting coins, credit cards, and the PayByPhone App, and even a "15 Minutes Free" feature for quick errands. Visitors should be mindful of posted signs for time limits or street cleaning days. Arlington is served by state routes 2, 2A, and 3, and is readily accessible from Routes 95 and 93, making it a convenient drive from various parts of Greater Boston and other Massachusetts communities.

Public transportation is a strong advantage for accessibility to Dance Place. Arlington is well-served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), also known as the "T." The primary routes connecting Arlington to Cambridge and downtown Boston include the MBTA Red Line, with Alewife Station (near East Arlington) being a key hub. Several MBTA bus routes, such as the #77 from Harvard Square and the #79 and #350 from Alewife Station, provide convenient connections throughout Arlington. Most bus routes in Arlington connect to the Red Line, offering a robust public transit option for students and families coming from various neighborhoods within Arlington and surrounding cities like Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and Lexington. This makes Dance Place highly accessible even without a personal vehicle.

Dance Place offers a comprehensive range of dance classes and programs, designed to cater to a wide variety of ages, skill levels, and interests, ensuring that every student finds their rhythm and place.

• Children's Dance Classes (Ages 2-18): Providing a foundational and progressive curriculum for young dancers.

  • Creative Movement (Ages 2-4): Introduces very young children to the joys of dance through imaginative play and basic movement concepts.

  • Ballet: Offered from beginner to advanced levels, focusing on proper body placement, alignment, barre work, center floor exercises, and across-the-floor combinations. Pointe is also offered for advanced students, emphasizing ballet as the foundation for all dance styles.

  • Tap: Students explore rhythmic sounds and musicality, from traditional time steps to contemporary rhythm tap.

  • Jazz: Taught in a traditional jazz style, focusing on stretches for flexibility, various jazz steps, turns, and combinations set to current, upbeat, and age-appropriate music. Beginner classes may also incorporate hip-hop and lyrical styles.

  • Hip Hop: Combines street dance with funk and jazz, teaching isolations, dynamics, pop-and-lock movements, and choreography similar to televised performances. Notably, they have a strong boys' Hip Hop program with male role models from the Boston dance community.

  • Modern: An interpretive style of dance derived from ballet, strongly recommended for those considering a dance career, as it's often a requirement for college dance programs.

  • Lyrical: A slower jazz style blending elements of ballet and jazz, focusing on expressing emotion and telling a story through movement.

  • Contemporary: An expressive dance style combining modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet elements, emphasizing fluidity, versatility, improvisation, and floorwork.

  • Acro: Incorporates acrobatic and gymnastic elements into dance, focusing on strength, flexibility, and tumbling within a dance context.

  • Musical Theater: Combines dance with theatrical elements, often involving choreography from Broadway productions.

• Performance Opportunities: Students have multiple chances to perform, including:

  • An annual spring recital, where classes showcase their learned routines.

  • Participation in the annual Nutcracker performance in the winter, a cherished community event.

  • Opportunities for involvement in a competitive Dance Team and an audition-based High School Performance Group for more intensive training and external performance/competition opportunities.

• Vacation and Summer Dance Camps: Offering specialized programs during school breaks, such as "Dancing Days," which includes dancing, games, music, acro, art, and creative play, as well as various themed summer camps.

• Parent's Observation Weeks: Designated times for parents to observe their children's progress in class.

Dance Place distinguishes itself within the Massachusetts dance community through several key features and highlights that contribute to its enduring popularity and positive reputation.

• Long-Standing Community Presence: Operating since 1992, Dance Place has over three decades of experience in providing dance education, building a strong and trusted presence within the Arlington community.

• Welcoming and Supportive Community: Consistently praised by families, the studio fosters a truly inclusive atmosphere where "everyone is welcome," and students feel a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie.

• Amazing and Dedicated Teachers: The instructors are highly regarded for their passion, expertise, and ability to inspire students, not just in dance technique but also in developing confidence, teamwork, and self-esteem. Christine, in particular, is noted as a "gem" for her oversight.

• Diverse Class Offerings: With a wide range of styles including Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop (including a strong boys' program), Modern, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro, and Musical Theater, students have ample opportunities to explore different forms of dance.

• Comprehensive Performance Opportunities: Beyond regular classes, the studio provides valuable stage experience through annual recitals and the highly anticipated Nutcracker production, which are beloved community events. Competitive and performance groups offer additional avenues for advanced dancers.

• Focus on Holistic Child Development: The studio emphasizes that students learn more than just dance steps, acquiring essential life skills such as determination, persistence, teamwork, and self-confidence.

• Age-Appropriate and Engaging Curriculum: Classes are tailored for different age groups, from toddlers in Creative Movement to teens and young adults, ensuring that instruction is engaging and effective for each developmental stage.

• Convenient Location and Accessibility: Situated on Broadway in Arlington, the studio is easily accessible by both car and, notably, by a robust MBTA public transportation network, including Red Line connections.

• Clean and Beautiful Facilities: The studio provides a pleasant and well-maintained environment for learning and dancing.

For those in Massachusetts interested in connecting with Dance Place, here is their contact information:

Address: 182 Broadway, Arlington, MA 02474, USA

Phone: (781) 643-8456

Mobile Phone: +1 781-643-8456

For the most up-to-date information on class schedules, registration details, tuition, summer camps, or any specific inquiries about their programs, it is highly recommended to visit their official website or contact them directly via phone.

In conclusion, for locals across Massachusetts, especially those in Arlington and the Greater Boston area, Dance Place stands out as an exemplary choice for dance education. Its accessible location on Broadway, well-served by the MBTA, makes it convenient for many families. What truly defines Dance Place, however, is its unwavering commitment to creating a "wonderful community" where "everyone is welcome," as consistently praised by satisfied parents. With over 30 years of experience, a diverse curriculum spanning ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and more for ages 2 to 18, and ample performance opportunities including the beloved Nutcracker, Dance Place offers a holistic and enriching experience. The "amazing teachers" and the overall positive atmosphere ensure that students not only master dance techniques but also develop crucial life skills and a profound sense of belonging. For any Massachusetts family seeking a nurturing, professional, and vibrant environment for their child's dance journey, Dance Place in Arlington is undoubtedly a highly recommended and cherished local gem.

Dance Place

182 Broadway, Arlington, MA 02474, USA