Kelly's Dance Loft

For New Jersey families passionate about dance, particularly those in Monmouth County and the coastal communities, Kelly's Dance Loft in Atlantic Highlands stands as a beacon of high-quality dance education. This studio distinguishes itself by prioritizing genuine dance training and student progression over traditional end-of-year recitals, ensuring that every moment spent in class contributes directly to a dancer's skill development and artistic growth.

Kelly's Dance Loft operates with a clear and distinct philosophy: dance education should be continuous and focused. They believe that class time is precious and best utilized for learning, building skills, and exploring choreography rather than solely rehearsing for a single performance. This commitment has led them to eschew costly end-of-year recitals, a unique approach that allows dancers to continue learning and progressing all year long. Instead, they offer performance opportunities within the community, providing students with valuable stage experience in different settings.

Under the guidance of Kelly, a highly credentialed professional with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from The Ohio State University and licensure in public and dance education, the studio ensures a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum. Kelly's extensive background, spanning over 35 years in dance study including anatomy, music, kinesiology, and child psychology, underpins the studio's fresh and effective approach to dance education. The focus is on small class sizes, structured syllabi, and continuous progression, all within a professional and supportive environment that fosters a deep love for dance and a strong work ethic in every student.

Kelly's Dance Loft is conveniently located at 171 First Ave #9, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716, USA. Atlantic Highlands is a charming borough situated in Monmouth County, New Jersey, known for its scenic views of Sandy Hook Bay and its vibrant local community. This location offers excellent accessibility for residents throughout the Bayshore area and wider Monmouth County.

First Avenue is a prominent street in Atlantic Highlands, making the studio easy to locate. Its position in this coastal town means it's within comfortable driving distance for families in nearby communities such as Highlands, Leonardo, Keansburg, Middletown, and Red Bank. The studio operates on a pick-up and drop-off model, with no public lobby, as the studio space has been expanded for dancer use. This streamlined approach focuses on maximizing instructional space and efficiency. While specific parking details are not provided, commercial areas in smaller towns often offer street parking or nearby lots. The unique coastal setting adds to the appeal for New Jersey families seeking a local dance studio in a pleasant environment.

Kelly's Dance Loft offers a focused and high-quality range of dance classes primarily for children and teens, with an emphasis on structured progression and comprehensive dance education.

• Year-Round Dance Education: Unlike studios that dedicate significant class time to recital preparation, Kelly's Dance Loft focuses on continuous learning and skill development throughout the entire academic year.

• Diverse Dance Styles: While specific class names aren't always listed, the studio offers a broad range of dance disciplines. Based on their competitive achievements and general studio offerings, it can be inferred they provide:

  • Jazz (Outstanding Jazz Performance awards)
  • Musical Theater (Outstanding Musical Theater Performance awards)
  • Open Performance (Outstanding Open Performance awards)
  • And likely foundational styles such as Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, and Contemporary, which are essential for competitive success and a well-rounded dancer.

• Competition Team Programs: Kelly's Dance Loft fields a highly successful competition team, accepting dancers through open auditions. They have a strong track record of winning various awards including Double High Platinums, Platinums, High Golds, title awards, scholarships, and special honors for choreography, costuming, extensions, and sportsmanship.

• Structured Syllabus: Every class follows a specific syllabus, ensuring weekly progression and building on previously learned skills. Lesson plans are prepared for every class, every week.

• Small Class Sizes: Classes are intentionally kept small to create an optimal learning environment, allowing for personalized attention. Larger classes have assistants.

• Summer Session: The studio offers a Summer Session, typically running from late June through late August, allowing for continued dance training during the warmer months.

• Community Performance Opportunities: Instead of a recital, students have opportunities to perform within the community, such as at nursing homes and local town events, providing valuable stage experience without the time commitment and cost of a large-scale production.

• Advanced Classes for Competition Team Members: All advanced classes are exclusively for competition team members, ensuring focused and high-level training for their most dedicated dancers.

Kelly's Dance Loft distinguishes itself with several compelling features and highlights that make it a premier choice for dance education in New Jersey:

• Award-Winning Excellence: The studio boasts an impressive collection of accolades, including being a Proud Nominee in the 2025 Industry of Dance Awards for Outstanding Musical Theater Performance and 2024 for Outstanding Jazz & Open Performance. They are also proud winners of the ADCC Award (twice in 2025 and in 2022) and multiple "Best Dance Studio in Monmouth County" titles from the Asbury Park Readers Choice Awards (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017). Their competition team consistently brings home top scores and special awards.

• No Costly End-of-Year Recital: A unique and significant highlight, KDL's policy of not holding recitals means no hidden costs for costumes, tickets, or extra rehearsals. This allows for continuous, uninterrupted dance education throughout the year, maximizing learning time.

• Highly Qualified and Licensed Instructor/Owner: Kelly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from a top university and is certified and licensed in public and dance education. Her extensive background (over 35 years of study in various dance styles, anatomy, kinesiology, child psychology, etc.) ensures a deeply knowledgeable and professional approach to instruction.

• State-of-the-Art Floating Floor: The studio features a professional "floating floor," which rests on a system of high-density foam to absorb shock. This is a crucial feature for dancer safety and injury prevention, a significant investment many studios forgo. The floor was recently replaced in November 2023, indicating a commitment to maintaining top-tier facilities.

• Structured and Progressive Curriculum: Every class follows a detailed syllabus with weekly lesson plans, ensuring consistent progression and skill building for all students.

• Small Class Sizes: Classes are intentionally kept small, providing a perfect learning environment with more individualized attention for students. Assistants are utilized in larger classes.

• Focus on True Dance Education: The studio's philosophy prioritizes genuine learning and skill development, which sets it apart from studios that may dedicate substantial time to performance-only choreography.

For New Jersey residents interested in enrolling their dancer in Kelly's Dance Loft or learning more about their unique approach to dance education, here is their contact information:

Address: 171 First Ave #9, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716, USA

Phone: (732) 291-0020

Mobile Phone: +1 732-291-0020

Email: kellysdanceloft@yahoo.com

Since the studio operates fully on pick-up and drop-off with no traditional lobby, direct communication via phone or email is highly recommended for inquiries about class schedules, enrollment, summer sessions, or competition team auditions.

For New Jersey families, particularly those in Monmouth County and the Atlantic Highlands area, Kelly's Dance Loft stands out as an exceptionally suitable and highly advantageous choice for dance education. Its unique philosophy and commitment to high-quality training directly address many needs and desires of local parents seeking the best for their aspiring dancers.

Firstly, the convenient location in Atlantic Highlands, a charming coastal community, makes it accessible for residents throughout the region. The studio's focus on efficient pick-up and drop-off, without a public lobby, prioritizes maximizing studio space for instruction, a practical consideration for busy New Jersey parents.

Secondly, and perhaps most notably, Kelly's Dance Loft's innovative approach to dance education — specifically, the absence of a costly end-of-year recital — offers significant benefits. This means no hidden expenses for costumes, tickets, or extra rehearsals, and more importantly, it ensures that every minute of class time is dedicated to genuine skill development and progression. For parents who prioritize a robust, year-round dance education over a single performance, this model is incredibly appealing. Instead, students gain real-world experience through community performance opportunities.

Furthermore, the caliber of instruction is a major draw. With Kelly's extensive professional background, academic credentials, and commitment to a structured syllabus, students receive superior training grounded in deep knowledge of dance and child development. The small class sizes and state-of-the-art floating floor demonstrate a genuine investment in student safety and effective learning. For New Jersey locals seeking an award-winning dance studio that offers serious training, fosters continuous growth, and provides transparent operations without the typical recital pressures, Kelly's Dance Loft is an exceptional and highly recommended choice.

Kelly's Dance Loft

171 First Ave #9, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716, USA