First Street Academy Of Dance

For families and individuals across Menominee and throughout the surrounding communities in Michigan, finding a local institution that provides quality dance education with a rich history is a true advantage. First Street Academy of Dance, located in Menominee's Historic Waterfront Downtown, boasts over 30 years of dedication to teaching dance and developing life skills. While a recent customer review mentioned some challenges with recital logistics and shirt orders, the core feedback regarding the instruction itself for ballet and tap was positive, indicating a strong foundation in teaching the art form.

First Street Academy of Dance, established in 1993 by the late and beloved Susan Bunting, carries a proud legacy of fostering talent and building confidence in dancers of all ages. Their motto, "Building Confidence Through Dance Since 1993," reflects their commitment to more than just steps and routines. The academy provides quality dance education and life skills for students in Menominee, Marinette, Peshtigo, and surrounding areas. They focus on teaching the fundamentals of dance, recognizing that this foundation is crucial for growth. Beyond technical skills, the joy of their hearts comes from watching children develop character, confidence, and leadership. First Street Academy of Dance prides itself on its rich history and on offering dancers the opportunity to explore the art of dance in a family-focused, intimate class setting, making it a unique and valuable resource for the Michigan community.

First Street Academy of Dance is conveniently located at 521 1st St, Menominee, MI 49858, USA. This address places the academy in Menominee's Historic Waterfront Downtown area. The downtown location typically offers a charming atmosphere and often provides accessible options for parking, making it convenient for local families to attend classes. Being situated on First Street, a recognizable thoroughfare, generally ensures ease of navigation for residents from across Menominee and nearby communities in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

The accessibility of First Street Academy of Dance in a central downtown location underscores its commitment to being a community-integrated resource. Its presence within a historic area can provide a pleasant and inviting atmosphere for students and parents alike. This localized presence means that high-quality dance instruction is readily available without the need for extensive travel to distant areas, making it a practical choice for parents seeking enriching extracurricular activities for their children. The easy access contributes to the seamless integration of dance education into the busy lives of Menominee families, allowing more individuals to explore their passion for dance.

First Street Academy of Dance offers a comprehensive range of dance styles, catering to students of various ages and skill levels. Their curriculum is designed to provide both fundamental training and opportunities for advanced artistic exploration:

• Preschool Petite Classes: Designed as a very first step in a child's dance journey, these classes focus on building foundational movements, rhythm, and coordination in a safe, fun, and skill-filled environment. They offer Ballet and Jazz as an introduction to the dance world for preschoolers, using props like colored dots, pom poms, ribbons, and wands to encourage active play, socialization, and friendship.

• Ballet: As a traditional and foundational dance form, ballet classes at FSAD emphasize the fundamentals of technique that carry through all dance genres. Students learn the graceful, elegant, and sophisticated movements involved in spinning, jumping, and leaping, crucial for overall dance development.

• Pointe: For advanced ballet students who have developed sufficient strength and technique, pointe classes offer specialized training on pointe shoes, a key element of classical ballet repertoire.

• Tap: Described as a "noisy, fun and creative dance style," tap classes teach students to use the sound of their tap shoes to create percussive rhythms. Focusing on rhythmical tapping and isolating different parts of the body, tap is offered from beginner age through high school.

• Jazz: An upbeat, fun, and energetic dance style, jazz classes at FSAD allow dancers to move to popular music from pop, musicals, and movies. These classes help students progress in flexibility, strength, and fitness while exploring the vibrant side of dance.

• Lyrical/Contemporary: This combined style embodies various aspects of ballet and acrobatics, allowing students to explore sharp, fierce, and powerful movement through the body, focusing on emotional expression and fluidity.

• Hip Hop: Designed for students to learn energetic, funky, and street-like dance forms in a relaxed and positive atmosphere. These classes aim to increase strength, coordination, flexibility, balance, and fitness levels, extending overall dance practice. The academy also offers "Boys ONLY Hip Hop" classes specifically tailored for male dancers.

• Private Lessons: Available for children, these one-on-one lessons are tailored to the student's specific needs, enhancing dance technique and performance skills. They are a great way for students to extend their training by practicing routines for community events or eisteddfods (competitive festivals).

• Company Programs (Junior, Apprentice, Senior): For advanced students, FSAD offers specialized company programs that provide many performance opportunities, allowing dancers to grow their performance abilities beyond the annual recital.

First Street Academy of Dance is distinguished by several key features and highlights that contribute to its long-standing presence and value in the Menominee community:

• Rich History and Legacy: Established in 1993, the academy boasts over 30 years of continuous dance education, originally founded by the beloved Susan Bunting. This deep history demonstrates a long-term commitment to the local arts scene and a proven track record of nurturing dancers.

• Focus on Holistic Development: Beyond teaching dance fundamentals, FSAD emphasizes building character, confidence, and leadership skills. Their faculty is dedicated to building life-enhancing skills that carry dancers beyond the studio, reflecting a well-rounded approach to education.

• Family-Focused and Nurturing Environment: The academy prides itself on providing an opportunity for dancers to explore the art of dance in a "family-focused, intimate class setting." They promote a "warm and inclusive community" where "every step feels like home," offering a safe space for all to express, grow, and belong.

• Experienced and Dedicated Faculty: The current faculty has been trained by the late Susan Bunting herself and has continued their education with countless professionals, universities, and dance organizations. They regularly attend workshops and conferences to stay current with dance education demands and trends, ensuring high-quality instruction.

• Diverse Performance Opportunities: Dancers at FSAD don't just perform in the annual recital. Advanced students in the Junior, Apprentice, and Senior Companies have many additional performance opportunities. This includes holiday performances at local nursing homes, community arts festivals, and even showcases at high school basketball games, allowing them to give back to the community.

• Professionally Produced Recitals: The First Street Academy of Dance is noted as the "only local studio with a recital that is professionally produced by Majic Entertainment." This includes professional theatrical lighting, sound, and production, providing students with a valuable experience of working in a professional environment and leaving audiences "in awe."

• Advanced Training Opportunities: Company members regularly travel to Dance Masters of America workshops across Wisconsin and Illinois. Students also have opportunities to take master classes at their home studio with guest artists from professional companies (e.g., Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, New York Theatre Ballet Company) and working professionals from major dance hubs.

For those interested in exploring the world of dance or learning more about the programs offered at First Street Academy of Dance, here’s how to get in touch:

Address: 521 1st St, Menominee, MI 49858, USA

Phone: (715) 600-0251

Mobile Phone: +1 715-600-0251

Email: fsadance@gmail.com

For residents of Menominee and the surrounding communities in Michigan, First Street Academy of Dance stands as a deeply rooted and highly capable local resource for quality dance education. Its long-standing history, coupled with a dedicated and continuously educated faculty, ensures that students receive strong foundational training in various dance styles. The academy's emphasis on building confidence, leadership, and community engagement makes it an ideal choice for parents seeking an enriching activity that goes beyond just dance steps. With a nurturing and intimate class setting, diverse performance opportunities, and professionally produced recitals, First Street Academy of Dance offers a comprehensive and inspiring experience for dancers of all levels. While a past logistical issue was noted, the consistent praise for instruction and the overall positive environment highlight its suitability for any local family looking to foster a love for dance and artistic development right here in our Michigan community.

First Street Academy Of Dance

521 1st St, Menominee, MI 49858, USA