Shari Rarick School of Dance: Premier Dance Training in Battle Creek, MI

Dance Training Introduce

Hello, Michigan dance enthusiasts! Are you searching for a vibrant and professional environment to embark on your dance journey, refine your skills, or perhaps even prepare for competitive stages? Look no further than Dance Training, widely known as the Shari Rarick School of Dance, a long-standing institution right here in Battle Creek. This isn't just a place to learn steps; it's a dedicated studio committed to nurturing dancers of all ages and skill levels, fostering a love for movement, and providing comprehensive instruction across a wide spectrum of dance styles. With a focus on foundational techniques alongside contemporary trends, Dance Training offers a welcoming space where artistry, discipline, and passion converge. Whether you're a parent looking for your child's first ballet class, a teenager aspiring to hip hop excellence, or an adult wanting to master ballroom, this Battle Creek gem has something for everyone. Join us as we explore what makes Dance Training a standout choice for dance education in our great state.

Dance Training, or the Shari Rarick School of Dance, is conveniently located at 1400 W Columbia Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49015, USA. This central Battle Creek address offers excellent accessibility for residents throughout the city and its surrounding areas. Whether you're commuting from different neighborhoods within Battle Creek or from nearby communities like Springfield, Marshall, or Pennfield, reaching the studio is straightforward. West Columbia Avenue is a well-known thoroughfare, ensuring ease of navigation for families and adult students. The location's practicality is further enhanced by typically available parking, making drop-offs and pick-ups efficient. Being situated within Battle Creek allows the studio to be an integral part of the local community, making high-quality dance instruction readily available to a broad population across Southwest Michigan. Its accessible nature reduces travel burdens and supports consistent attendance, contributing to a more effective and enjoyable learning experience for all dancers.

Dance Training, also known as the Shari Rarick School of Dance, offers a comprehensive range of dance programs designed to cater to a diverse student body, from toddlers taking their first steps to adults seeking new skills or exercise. Their curriculum is structured to provide both foundational technique and exposure to various dance forms. Here are some of the key services and classes you can expect:

Pre-Dance Classes (Ages 2.5-6): Early childhood programs like "Tiny Buns," "Tippy Toes," and "Tappy Feet" introduce young dancers to the world of movement. These classes often combine ballet, tap, and creative movement, helping children learn basic terminology and explore dance in a fun, engaging way.
Classical Ballet & Pointe: As a foundational technique, Ballet is offered for various age groups. Pointe is available for dancers typically aged 12 and up who have at least one year of ballet experience, focusing on classical technique and strength.
Tap Dance: These classes focus on rhythms and sounds, teaching tap technique. Some programs may also incorporate "Contemporary Percussion," using the body to create percussive sounds.
Jazz Dance: Based on ballet technique and drawing inspiration from legends like Bob Fosse, jazz classes incorporate full-body movement, combinations, turns, jumps, and leaps, making them fun and exciting.
Hip Hop, Street Jazz & Breakdancing: High-energy classes that teach today's "street style" movement, often performed to popular music, emphasizing that everyone can participate and have fun.
Acro Dance: This unique style combines classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements, seamlessly blending dance and acrobatics within a dance context.
Musical Theater: A popular class that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance, communicating story and emotion through an integrated performance. No prior dance experience is required.
Contemporary / Lyrical Dance: Advanced classes, often for high school dancers, based on ballet and jazz techniques, choreographed to the lyrical aspects of music, and inspired by choreographers like Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham.
Pom: Classes that teach dance combined with cheerleading-style pom movements.
Ballroom Dance: Taught by a certified professional gold dance instructor, Carolyn Wingard, these classes are available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels. They are fun, great exercise, and cover aspects like leading and following.
Private Dance Lessons: Available for personalized attention, focusing on individual needs in a private setting.
Group Classes: Structured lessons where everyone in the class works on the same material, progressing through beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Practice Dance Parties: Monthly social dance events (2.5 hours) where students can practice what they've learned in a fun, comfortable social setting.
Special Choreography: Services for events such as wedding dances or other special occasions.
Dance Therapy Classes: Taught by instructors with specialized training, these classes help improve body image, self-esteem, and address other emotional and social benefits through dance movement.
Adult Classes: A wide variety of classes specifically designed for adult dancers.
Competition Team: Opportunities for serious dancers to join a competition team.
Summer Programs: Special classes and camps offered during the summer months.

Dance Training (Shari Rarick School of Dance) stands out in the Battle Creek dance community thanks to several key features and highlights that contribute to its well-rounded offerings and positive reputation:

Comprehensive Dance Styles for All Ages: A significant highlight is the incredibly wide array of dance styles offered, catering to students from age 2.5 through adulthood. This includes everything from classical ballet and tap to hip hop, jazz, contemporary, acro dance, musical theater, and even specialized ballroom dance. This ensures that every student, regardless of age or interest, can find a class that resonates with them.
Specialized Ballroom Instruction: The presence of a Master Gold dance instructor, Carolyn Wingard, for ballroom dance classes is a unique and highly valuable feature. Her over 20 years of experience and ability to teach private lessons, group classes (beginner, intermediate, advanced), and monthly practice parties provides a comprehensive ballroom experience not always found at other studios.
Diverse Learning Formats: The studio offers flexibility in how students learn, including private lessons for individualized attention, structured group classes, and fun monthly practice dance parties. This caters to different learning styles and preferences.
Focus on Foundational and Modern Techniques: The curriculum emphasizes classical techniques like ballet, which provide a strong foundation for all dance forms, while also embracing contemporary styles like hip hop and acro dance, ensuring students receive a well-rounded and relevant dance education.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: With classes ranging from "Pre-Dance" for very young children to various adult options and even dance therapy, the school makes dance accessible to a broad demographic, promoting dance for health, expression, and joy across the community.
Performance and Practical Application: While not explicitly stated as performance opportunities for all styles, the mention of musical theater and the general nature of dance instruction implies opportunities for students to apply their skills, such as in recitals or themed events. Special choreography for events like weddings further adds to the practical application of skills.
Experienced and Certified Instructors: The mention of Carolyn Wingard's certification highlights the caliber of instruction available, suggesting a commitment to professional teaching standards across the board.
Community Engagement: Offering dance therapy classes, often taught by instructors with specialized backgrounds in communication, indicates a holistic approach to dance education that extends beyond pure technique to support well-being and personal growth within the community.

For those interested in exploring the diverse dance programs at Dance Training (Shari Rarick School of Dance) or to inquire about specific classes, here is their contact information:

Address: 1400 W Columbia Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49015, USA
Phone: (269) 963-0669

We recommend contacting the studio directly for the most current information on class schedules, registration details, tuition fees, and any specific inquiries regarding their wide range of dance styles and programs. Their team will be able to provide personalized guidance to help you or your child begin their dance journey.

For locals across Michigan, particularly in Battle Creek and the surrounding communities, Dance Training, known as the Shari Rarick School of Dance, is an exceptionally suitable choice for dance education. Its longstanding presence and comprehensive offerings make it a reliable and enriching resource for the community. The studio’s ability to cater to all ages, from preschoolers to adults, and provide instruction across a vast array of dance styles—from fundamental ballet and tap to energetic hip hop, engaging musical theater, and even specialized ballroom and dance therapy—ensures that every local resident can find a program that fits their interests and goals. This breadth of offerings eliminates the need to seek out multiple studios for different dance forms. The opportunity for private lessons, group classes, and monthly practice parties creates a flexible and supportive learning environment, adapting to various schedules and preferences. For Michigan families looking for a dance school that offers professional instruction in a welcoming setting, whether for recreational enjoyment, fitness, or serious training, Dance Training in Battle Creek is a true local asset. It fosters artistic expression, physical well-being, and a lifelong love for dance right here in our community.