Inland Empire Dance Center

For residents of California looking to explore the beautiful world of dance, the Inland Empire Dance Center in Riverside stands out as a beacon of artistic excellence and a truly welcoming community. More than just a place to learn steps, this distinguished dance center, formerly known as Bowen-Hayes School of the Arts, fosters a deep appreciation for dance as an art form. Whether you're a curious beginner, a passionate hobbyist, or an aspiring professional, the Inland Empire Dance Center offers a nurturing and highly professional environment for dancers of all ages and skill levels.

Since its inception in 2006, the Inland Empire Dance Center has been committed to providing top-tier instruction, emphasizing technique, artistry, and a love for movement over mere competition. It's a space where children and adults alike can discover their potential, build confidence, and immerse themselves in a diverse range of dance styles. With a reputation for exceptional instructors and a director whose passion for dance is truly infectious, this center offers a unique and enriching experience that makes it a must-visit point of interest for anyone in the California region with an interest in the performing arts.

The Inland Empire Dance Center is conveniently located at 6056 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92506, USA. This prime address in Riverside, a major city within the Inland Empire, offers excellent accessibility for individuals and families residing throughout Southern California. Magnolia Avenue is a well-known and easily navigable thoroughfare, making the studio simple to find, whether you're coming from nearby neighborhoods in Riverside or from surrounding cities.

For those traveling from communities such as Corona, Moreno Valley, Grand Terrace, or even further afield within the Inland Empire, the center’s location ensures a manageable commute. Its proximity to major roadways and local public transport routes (though public transport details are not specified, its main road location generally implies good access) enhances its convenience. Ample parking is typically available in the vicinity, which is a significant advantage for students and parents during class drop-off and pick-up times. The established nature of the area also means it’s likely to be surrounded by other amenities, making it a practical stop as part of a daily routine. This central and easily reachable location firmly establishes the Inland Empire Dance Center as a primary destination for dance education across the region.

The Inland Empire Dance Center provides a comprehensive and diverse array of services tailored to meet the needs of dancers from age 3 through adulthood, encompassing various styles and levels of instruction. Their philosophy centers on teaching dance as an art form, with a strong emphasis on basic techniques.

• Classical Ballet (Balanchine & Vaganova Methods): Offering instruction in two prominent classical ballet methods, ensuring a strong foundational technique crucial for all dance forms.
• Tap Dance: Including both "Broadway" tap and "hoofing" or rhythm tap, providing a diverse understanding of this percussive dance style.
• Jazz Dance (Fosse based): Specializing in jazz techniques, with a notable focus on Fosse-based styles, which are recognized for their distinctive, theatrical flair.
• Hip Hop: Contemporary and energetic hip hop classes that keep students engaged with current trends and movements.
• Modern Dance: Exploring the expressive and abstract movements characteristic of modern dance.
• Contemporary Dance: Blending elements of classical ballet, modern dance, and jazz to create fluid and emotive performances.
• Lyrical Dance: Combining ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques to interpret music and express emotion through movement.
• Musical Theater: Programs focused on dance for the stage, incorporating elements of acting and singing, suitable for aspiring Broadway performers.
• Swing & Salsa Dance: Offering social and partnered dance styles that are popular for both recreational enjoyment and performance.
• Ballroom Dance: Classes that introduce various ballroom dance styles, perfect for social dancing or competitive aspirations.
• Adult Ballet Classes: Open to students aged 18+ of all levels, providing an accessible way for adults to learn or continue their ballet journey, focusing on technique and enjoyment.
• Technique Classes (Ages 8+): Dedicated classes that focus intensely on a dancer's musicality, coordination, core strength, grace, and ballet terminology, essential for overall improvement.
• Private Lessons: One-on-one instruction for personalized attention and accelerated learning, available for dancers of all levels.
• Master Classes/Workshops: Featuring acclaimed experts from around the world (e.g., from South Africa Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet Opera, Royal Ballet, Joffrey Ballet), offering intensive sessions in various dance forms.
• Costume Design: A unique offering that specializes in custom-made costumes, often created on-site, enhancing performance quality.
• Set/Backdrop Designs: Providing expertise in stage design, contributing to professional-level performances.
• Pilates Mat Classes: Focus on core strength, flexibility, balance, and stamina, beneficial for dancers' physical conditioning and injury prevention.
• Summer Camps and Intensives: Thematic camps and intensive programs (e.g., Fairytale Dance, Acro/Aerial, Musical Theater, Classical Ballet) for various age groups during school breaks.

The Inland Empire Dance Center is distinguished by an impressive array of features and highlights that solidify its position as a top-tier dance institution in California. These aspects contribute significantly to its positive reputation and the enriching experience it offers to its students.

• Exceptional Artistic Direction: The center is led by Artistic Director Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs, who founded the school in 2006. Her deep love for the art of dance is highly apparent to students and peers alike, fostering a truly inspiring environment. She also brings a unique background, having studied Pilates, Sports Medicine, Kinesiology, and Physical Therapy for over 15 years, and holds a California State VAPA Certificate, ensuring a holistic approach to dance training and dancer well-being.
• Highly Qualified and Experienced Instructors: The teaching staff is consistently praised as "great instructors." Their combined experience is vast, with instructors having taught in "EVERY state, and 8 countries," bringing a global perspective and diverse expertise to the studio. All staff and instructors aged 18+ undergo FBI & DOJ Fingerprinting and Background Checks, demonstrating a strong commitment to child safety.
• Focus on Dance as an Art Form: A core philosophy of the Inland Empire Dance Center is to teach dance as an art form rather than solely a competitive sport focused on winning. This artistic emphasis allows for deeper creative exploration and a more comprehensive dance education.
• Professional and Welcoming Atmosphere: Reviewers consistently describe the center as "amazing," "very welcoming," and note the professionalism and kindness of the Director. This blend of professionalism and warmth creates an ideal learning environment for both children and adults.
• Strong Technical Foundation: Students and instructors are noted for their "superb technique in all genres of dance," specifically mentioning mastery of both Balanchine and Vaganova ballet methods, as well as Fosse-based Jazz and Musical Theater styles. This rigorous technical training prepares dancers for any path they choose.
• Commitment to Child Safety: Since 2006, the center has been dedicated to protecting children in dance by background checking and fingerprinting all staff and educators. They also provide education and resources to end the exploitation through hypersexualization of children in adult costumes, choreography, and music, showcasing a strong ethical stance.
• Partnership with Inland Empire Contemporary Ballet: As the non-profit division of the center, the Inland Empire Contemporary Ballet (a 501(C)(3) organization) provides additional educational and performance opportunities in professional classical and contemporary ballet to underserved communities, further enriching the local arts scene.
• Award-Winning Studio: As of February 2016, their competition dance team began placing at high levels (platinum, Ultra High Gold, High Gold, Gold, full scholarships), demonstrating their competitive success without making it their sole focus. The Inland Empire Contemporary Ballet was also named one of the best places to dance by Inland Empire Magazine in 2013, 2014, and 2016, and Bowen-Hayes School of the Arts received a Small Business of Excellence Award.
• State-of-the-Art Facility: The center now resides in a 4,000+ sq ft facility in Riverside, California, providing ample space for various classes and activities.
• On-Call Medical Support: Uniquely, the center has an on-call Chiropractor and Holistic doctor on staff, emphasizing their commitment to dancer health and well-being.

For those eager to discover the transformative power of dance or to inquire about class schedules and enrollment, the Inland Empire Dance Center is readily available to assist. You can reach out directly via phone or visit their welcoming facility in Riverside.

Address: 6056 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92506, USA

Phone: (951) 686-6500

Mobile Phone: +1 951-686-6500

In conclusion, the Inland Empire Dance Center is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended point of interest for locals throughout Riverside and the wider Southern California region. Its appeal stems from a powerful combination of factors that cater to a diverse community of aspiring and established dancers. Its convenient location on Magnolia Avenue in Riverside ensures easy access for families across the Inland Empire, simplifying the logistics of regular attendance.

What truly sets this center apart and makes it ideal for local residents is its profound commitment to dance as an art form. Under the passionate guidance of Artistic Director Jamie Azpeitia-Sachs and her team of globally experienced instructors, students receive not just technical training, but also a holistic education that emphasizes artistic expression, discipline, and a deep appreciation for movement. The welcoming and professional atmosphere, as consistently praised by satisfied customers, ensures that both children and adults feel comfortable and inspired as they learn and grow. Furthermore, the center's unwavering dedication to child safety, including background checks for all staff and a stance against hypersexualization in costumes and choreography, provides invaluable peace of mind for parents.

Whether you’re a parent seeking a nurturing and reputable environment for your child’s first dance steps, an adult looking to rekindle a passion or try something new, or an advanced dancer aiming for professional technique, the Inland Empire Dance Center offers unparalleled opportunities. Its comprehensive range of classes, from classical ballet to hip hop and musical theater, coupled with its focus on artistic integrity and student well-being, firmly establishes it as the premier dance destination in the Inland Empire. For anyone in California looking for a truly enriching and professional dance experience, this center is undoubtedly the place where dreams begin and artistry flourishes.

Inland Empire Dance Center

6056 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92506, USA