Just Dance

For families in Michigan seeking a dance studio that goes beyond just teaching steps, Just Dance in Imlay City offers a truly unique and enriching experience. What began as a passion project has blossomed into a cherished community hub, dedicated to nurturing young dancers from their very first steps into a lifelong love for movement. Just Dance is a family-run dance company that emphasizes not only technical proficiency but also the development of vital life skills such as responsibility, accountability, passion, compassion, and self-respect. This commitment to holistic growth sets it apart, creating an environment where children can truly thrive.

One parent, whose daughter has been dancing with Just Dance since she was two years old in a "Mommy & Me" class, beautifully articulated the studio's impact: "What started out as just something fun for her mommy and her has turned into our daughter's passion and choice over other activities. She is learning ballet, jazz, tap and even some tumbling during her 1 class a week! We love that they are teaching their students responsibility, accountability, passion, compassion and self-respect. It's not about competing, but about helping one another be their BEST!! We love being a part of this family ran dance company! All hands on deck atmosphere where children can thrive and become responsible adults by example of the older dancers, dance teachers, assistants and other dancers!!!" This powerful testimonial highlights the studio's unique focus on personal growth and mutual support over intense competition. Another grateful parent added, "My daughter has been dancing with Miss Merry and the Miss Melitta for the past four years. This studio encourages grace and modesty, with an appreciation of different styles of music and cultures. In many ways, this studio is a family and supports all their dancers." Led by Owner/Founder Merry Kalinowski and often involving Miss Melitta, Just Dance fosters an atmosphere where every dancer feels supported, valued, and truly part of a larger dance family. Whether you're in Imlay City or the surrounding Lapeer County area, Just Dance offers a welcoming and inspiring space for all ages to discover the joy and discipline of dance.

Just Dance is conveniently located at 960 Brown City Rd, Imlay City, MI 48444, USA, offering excellent accessibility for families and individuals throughout Imlay City and the wider Lapeer County region. Its position on Brown City Road, a well-known local artery, makes the studio easy to find and navigate to, reducing travel time and stress for busy schedules. This central location ensures that residents from various nearby communities can reach the studio with ease, making regular attendance practical and convenient. Ample parking is typically available on-site, providing a hassle-free experience for drop-offs and pickups. The studio's integration within the Imlay City community also means it's often situated near other local amenities, which can be a beneficial convenience for families during wait times or after classes. This strategic and easily reachable location is a significant advantage for Michigan locals, ensuring that high-quality dance education and a positive community experience are readily available without the added burden of a difficult journey, thereby fostering greater participation in the performing arts within the region.

• Mommy & Me Classes: Specifically designed for the youngest dancers (starting from 18 months to 3 years old) along with a parent or guardian. These classes focus on introducing basic movement, rhythm, and musicality through fun, engaging activities and fostering social interaction.
• Preschool Dance Programs: Classes for 2-3 year olds and 4-5 year olds that focus on basic ballet and tap movements, taught in a positive and fun environment. Proper technique is introduced through creative dances and imagination, with a goal to instill a love of dance. These are often 30-minute structured classes.
• Ballet/Tap/Jazz Combo Classes: Popular for various age groups, these combo classes introduce students to the fundamentals of multiple dance styles (ballet, tap, and jazz) within a single session, providing a well-rounded foundation.
• Ballet Classes: Comprehensive ballet instruction from foundational levels to more advanced. These classes emphasize classical technique, grace, posture, and discipline. The studio offers Cecchetti Grades I-V, a rigorous and rewarding methodology focusing on terminology, theory, and detailed technical execution to produce strong and versatile dancers.
• Tap Dance: Classes dedicated to developing rhythmic precision and musicality through intricate footwork, using specialized shoes with metal taps to create percussive sounds.
• Jazz Dance: Energetic classes that focus on a dancer's individual style and originality, incorporating unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps, and quick turns. A strong background in ballet is encouraged for grace and balance.
• Hip Hop Dance: High-energy classes that explore street dance styles, emphasizing rhythm, musicality, and performance skills through engaging choreography. Includes "Little Dippers Hip Hop" for a fun, kid-friendly environment.
• Lyrical Dance: For dancers aged 6 and up, these classes merge elements of ballet and jazz, focusing on fluid movement, emotional expression, and interpreting song lyrics through choreography.
• Tumbling/Gymnastics: Classes that teach basic floor gymnastics and body strength, helping dancers develop crucial skills like rolls, handstands, cartwheels, and backbends, essential for overall athleticism and specific dance styles.
• Clogging: A high-energy form of tap dancing with double taps on the shoes, creating louder and more percussive rhythms.
• Recreational Dance Programs: Designed for students who are just starting their dance journey or those who want to continue training without the commitment of a competition team. These classes introduce proper technique in a fun, encouraging environment.
• Competition Teams: For dedicated dancers, Just Dance offers competitive teams where students can develop advanced technique, performance skills, and participate in dance competitions.
• Annual Spring Dance Recital: All students participating in the dance program have the opportunity to perform in the annual recital, showcasing their choreographed dances to friends and family in a professionally recorded performance. This helps build self-esteem and confidence.
• Experienced Teachers: Instruction from dedicated teachers like Miss Merry and Miss Melitta who encourage grace, modesty, and an appreciation of different styles of music and cultures.

• Family-Run and Community-Oriented Atmosphere: Just Dance is proudly a "family ran dance company" where the atmosphere is described as "all hands on deck." This fosters a warm, supportive, and inclusive environment where children can thrive. The studio is characterized by its familial bond, supporting all dancers and encouraging older students to be positive role models, helping younger ones "become responsible adults by example."
• Emphasis on Holistic Development: Beyond just dance technique, Just Dance is dedicated to instilling crucial life values. They teach "responsibility, accountability, passion, compassion and self-respect," ensuring that students develop into well-rounded individuals. This focus on character building is a significant highlight for parents.
• Positive and Non-Competitive Focus: A major differentiating factor for Just Dance is its philosophy that "It's not about competing, but about helping one another be their BEST!!" This creates a nurturing environment free from intense pressure, allowing students to genuinely love dance and focus on personal growth rather than external rivalry. This is particularly appealing to families seeking a supportive artistic outlet.
• Diverse Class Offerings for All Ages: From "Mommy & Me" for toddlers to comprehensive combo classes, ballet (including Cecchetti grades), jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, tumbling, and even clogging, Just Dance provides a wide array of options for dancers of all ages and skill levels. This ensures that every child can find a style that sparks their passion.
• Experienced and Caring Instructors: The studio benefits from dedicated teachers like Miss Merry and Miss Melitta, who are praised for encouraging "grace and modesty" and an "appreciation of different styles of music and cultures." Their commitment to making dance a positive experience contributes significantly to the studio's welcoming atmosphere.
• Focus on Core Techniques: While embracing various styles, Just Dance ensures that proper technique is taught from the foundational levels, even to the youngest dancers through creative and imaginative methods. This commitment to fundamentals helps students build a strong base for continued growth.
• Performance Opportunities: All students have the chance to shine in the annual Spring Dance Recital. This professionally produced event allows dancers to showcase their hard work, build self-esteem, and experience the joy of performance in front of friends and family.

Address: 960 Brown City Rd, Imlay City, MI 48444, USA

Phone: (810) 724-2912

Mobile Phone: +1 810-724-2912

For families in Michigan, particularly those in Imlay City and the surrounding Lapeer County area, Just Dance stands out as an exceptionally suitable and enriching local establishment for dance education. Its appeal to the community is deeply rooted in its family-run ethos, comprehensive program offerings, and unwavering commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals. The studio's convenient location on Brown City Road in Imlay City ensures easy accessibility for local residents, minimizing travel time and making regular attendance a practical reality for busy schedules. This local presence is a significant advantage, embedding the studio firmly within the community fabric.

What truly distinguishes Just Dance and makes it perfect for locals is its unique philosophy that prioritizes holistic development and mutual support over intense competition. As numerous parent testimonials highlight, the studio is dedicated to teaching "responsibility, accountability, passion, compassion and self-respect," ensuring that children grow not only as dancers but as confident, responsible individuals. The "all hands on deck atmosphere" fosters a genuine sense of family, where older dancers and instructors serve as inspiring role models, helping younger students thrive. This nurturing environment, where "it's not about competing, but about helping one another be their BEST," resonates deeply with families seeking a positive and supportive artistic outlet for their children.

Furthermore, the wide array of dance styles offered, from foundational ballet, jazz, and tap to energetic hip hop and even tumbling, caters to diverse interests and age groups, starting from a "Mommy & Me" class for two-year-olds. This means that local families can find suitable programs for multiple children with varying interests all under one roof. The dedication of instructors like Miss Merry and Miss Melitta, who encourage grace, modesty, and an appreciation for different cultures, further enriches the learning experience. By choosing Just Dance, locals are not just enrolling in a dance class; they are becoming part of a supportive, community-driven family that nurtures passion, builds character, and cultivates a lifelong love for dance, right here in their own Michigan neighborhood.

Just Dance

960 Brown City Rd, Imlay City, MI 48444, USA