East Athens Educational Dance Center

Welcome to the East Athens Educational Dance Center, a dedicated facility providing high-quality dance training and programming right here in Athens, Georgia. Situated on the Eastside of Athens, this center is more than just a place for dance lessons; it's a community resource committed to offering inclusive dance education for participants of all ages, skill levels, and ethnic backgrounds. The East Athens Educational Dance Center aims to foster a love for movement, build confidence, and provide artistic opportunities through a diverse range of dance genres. While every institution has its unique approach and policies, the center's mission is to offer comprehensive instruction in various dance forms, making the art of dance accessible to the wider Athens community. This article will provide an overview of what the East Athens Educational Dance Center offers, its location and accessibility, the array of services provided, key features of its programs, contact information, and why it remains a valuable option for locals seeking dance education in Athens, Georgia.

The East Athens Educational Dance Center is conveniently located at 390 McKinley Dr, Athens, GA 30601, USA. This address places the facility within the East Athens area, making it a local fixture for residents in that part of the city and accessible to others throughout Athens and the surrounding areas of Georgia. While some may perceive the area differently, the center's presence serves as a valuable community asset, providing structured artistic programming. McKinley Drive offers straightforward road access, contributing to ease of arrival for families. It's important for visitors to be aware of their surroundings, particularly when visiting during evening hours, as is prudent with any urban or suburban location. The center is part of the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department, indicating its role within local government initiatives to provide recreational and educational opportunities. For those in Athens seeking a local dance program, the East Athens Educational Dance Center’s location offers a readily available option for accessing dance education.

The East Athens Educational Dance Center offers a diverse range of dance programs and services, catering to various ages and skill levels, with a focus on concert dance genres. Their offerings are designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of dance, build technique, and encourage artistic expression.

• Comprehensive Dance Genres: The facility specializes in a variety of concert dance forms, including:

  • Ballet: Foundational training focusing on classical technique, posture, and grace.
  • Modern Dance: Exploring various modern dance techniques, including improvisation and Horton Technique, encouraging expressive movement.
  • Jazz: Classes that teach the structure of jazz dance, including technique, isolations, and locomotor skills, often with high-energy movements.
  • Tap: Instruction in rhythm, footwork, and percussive sounds.
  • Hip-Hop: High-energy classes with fun and age-appropriate movements from various hip-hop styles, emphasizing rhythm and coordination.
  • West African Dance: Offering cultural exposure and unique movement styles rooted in West African traditions.

• Age-Specific Programs: Classes are structured for a wide range of ages, ensuring appropriate instruction for developmental stages:

  • Tippy Tots for Twos: An exciting introduction to music and dance for 2-year-olds.
  • Creative Movement: Engaging classes that introduce music and dance fundamentals to young children.
  • KinderMovement: Focuses on utilizing imagination through dance, learning basic dance language, shapes, numbers, and letters through movement.
  • Ballet and Tap for 4-6 year olds: An open-level program concentrating on foundational ballet and tap.
  • Ballet and Tap for 7-12 year olds: An open-level program for older children focusing on ballet and tap.
  • Performance Class: A multi-discipline dance class (Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop) for beginner to moderately trained dancers, geared towards enhancing performance skills.
  • Dance 13 & Up - Adult Tap: Programs for older teens and adults, offering continued learning or a new introduction to dance.

• Performance Opportunities: Students in certain programs, such as the Performance Class, have the opportunity to showcase their skills in events like the EAEDC Fall Show, providing valuable stage experience.

• Required Dance Wear: The center provides clear guidelines on required dance attire for each class, ensuring students are appropriately dressed for safety and optimal learning.

• Facility Features: The center boasts state-of-the-art dance studios and a multipurpose area, including a black box design and a catwalk for lighting and performance assistance, enhancing the overall learning and performance experience.

• Parent Communication and Policies: The center provides a handbook or orientation materials outlining program goals, policies, and details, and emphasizes communication through official channels like appointments for parent-staff meetings and a chain of command for concerns.

The East Athens Educational Dance Center distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that are integral to its mission and operation within the Athens community.

• Commitment to Quality Dance Training: A primary highlight is the center's dedication to providing "quality dance training and programming." This indicates a focus on proper technique, disciplined instruction, and a curriculum designed to develop well-rounded dancers.

• Inclusivity and Diversity: The center explicitly caters to "All Ages, Skills, and Ethnic Backgrounds." This commitment to inclusivity ensures that dance education is accessible to a broad spectrum of the Athens population, fostering a welcoming environment for everyone.

• Specialization in Concert Dance: The focus on genres like Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, and West African dance forms offers a rich and varied curriculum that covers both traditional and contemporary styles, appealing to diverse artistic interests.

• State-of-the-Art Facilities: The Dance Center is a significant facility, measuring over 15,500 square feet, and includes state-of-the-art dance studios. It features a 5,000 square foot multipurpose area designed as a black box for performances, complete with an audio-visual sound system and a catwalk for lighting. This professional setup enhances both the training and performance experience.

• LEED Standard Design: A notable environmental highlight is that the building is the first Athens-Clarke County government building designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, showcasing a commitment to sustainable practices.

• Opportunities for Performance and Expression: Classes like the "Performance Class" and the dedicated multipurpose black box allow students opportunities to perform and enhance their stage presence, which is vital for aspiring dancers.

• Structured Learning Environment: The detailed class descriptions, required dance wear policies, and stated emphasis on basic dance language and fundamentals for younger students highlight a structured approach to learning, ensuring a strong foundation.

• Part of Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services: Being a municipal facility, it operates under the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department, which often implies a commitment to public service, community engagement, and potentially more accessible pricing for residents.

• Dedicated Staff and Operational Hours: The presence of a Facility Supervisor and Theatre Assistant, along with consistent operational hours, indicates dedicated management to ensure the smooth running of programs.

For those in the Athens, Georgia area interested in connecting with the East Athens Educational Dance Center, whether for enrollment, inquiries about programs, or general information, here is their contact information:

Address: 390 McKinley Dr, Athens, GA 30601, USA

Phone: (706) 613-3624

Mobile Phone: +1 706-613-3624

For locals in Athens, Georgia, the East Athens Educational Dance Center presents a significant resource for dance education. Its suitability for the community is rooted in its dedication to providing quality dance training across a diverse array of styles, catering to all ages and skill levels. As a facility operated by Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services, it often represents an accessible option for public programming. The state-of-the-art studios, including a black box theater, provide a professional environment for both learning and performance, which is a substantial asset for aspiring dancers. While the center has specific policies regarding parent presence during classes and refunds, which should be thoroughly reviewed by interested families, its core mission to offer comprehensive instruction in various dance forms to a wide demographic remains. For those seeking structured dance education in Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, or West African dance, and opportunities for performance within a well-equipped facility, the East Athens Educational Dance Center offers a valuable pathway to artistic development right here in Athens, Georgia. It stands as a testament to the community's commitment to cultural enrichment and providing accessible avenues for residents to engage with the performing arts.

East Athens Educational Dance Center

390 McKinley Dr, Athens, GA 30601, USA