L'Ecole De Danse

For families across Maryland, particularly those in the Annapolis area, choosing a dance studio that offers more than just steps is a significant decision. L'Ecole De Danse, nestled conveniently in Annapolis, stands out as a beloved institution where classical ballet training is interwoven with invaluable life lessons. It's a place where generations of dancers have found not just a passion for movement, but also the strength, discipline, and confidence needed to excel both on and off the stage.

This article provides an in-depth look at L'Ecole De Danse, detailing its accessible location, the comprehensive range of dance styles it offers, and the standout features that make it a cherished and highly recommended choice for the local community. We'll explore the profound impact of its founder, Miss Barbara, and delve into why so many former students now entrust their own children to this exceptional studio.

L'Ecole De Danse is driven by a mission to instill the love of dance in each student by providing a structured, clear, and personalized approach to learning. Beyond the artistry, the school emphasizes self-discipline, correct body placement, traditional French terminology, and encourages self-expression and confidence through positive reinforcement. This holistic philosophy creates a truly unique and enriching environment for aspiring dancers in Maryland.

L'Ecole De Danse is conveniently located at 1906 Forest Dr # 1A, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA. This address places the studio within a well-known area of Annapolis, making it highly accessible for residents throughout the city and surrounding communities in Anne Arundel County. Forest Drive is a significant road in Annapolis, ensuring that the studio is easy to find and reach, a crucial factor for busy families managing their schedules.

The studio's position within Annapolis contributes to its practicality for daily commutes, allowing for straightforward drop-offs and pick-ups. While specific parking details are not extensively detailed, a location within a commercial area typically offers accessible parking options, further enhancing convenience for students and parents. This easily reachable location on Forest Drive significantly adds to L'Ecole De Danse's appeal, making it a desirable option for anyone in the Maryland region seeking consistent and high-quality dance instruction within their local community.

L'Ecole De Danse offers a specialized and comprehensive curriculum focused on classical dance forms, designed to provide students with a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for the art.

• Core Dance Disciplines: The studio primarily focuses on and excels in teaching the following styles:
  • Ballet: The cornerstone of their program, emphasizing classical technique, correct body placement, traditional French terminology, and the development of strength and discipline. Classes range from introductory levels to advanced.
  • Creative Movement: Designed for younger students (e.g., ages 4 to 5.5), this introduction to dance emphasizes body awareness and the use of imagination through exercises and movement to various styles of music. Simple barre exercises are introduced in the second semester.
  • Lyrical Dance: An expansion of ballet technique, this class explores movement danced to contemporary music with lyrics, requiring prior ballet training and focusing on expressive and interpretive forms.
  • Modern Dance: This workshop-style class often focuses on different aspects of body awareness, developmental movement patterns, foundations for organic progression of movement, momentum, core strength, and elements of improvisation, exploring a release technique movement style.
• Graded Curriculum: Classes are structured in a progressive, graded system, ensuring that students build skills systematically. Examples include:
  • Beginning Ballet I (Ages 6.5 to 9, no previous training required).
  • Beginning Ballet II/III (Ages 7 to 10, for students who completed Ballet I or new second through fifth graders).
  • Beginning Ballet IV (Ages 8 to 12, requiring 2-4 years of previous ballet training).
  • Intermediate Ballet I & II (Ages 10+ and 12+ respectively, with increasing technical difficulty and potential for pointe work by permission).
  • Advanced Ballet (Ages 14+, requiring minimum 6 years of classical training and proficiency in pointe work).
• Pointe Work: Offered to female students typically aged 11 or older, by permission of the instructor, requiring enrollment in multiple 90-minute ballet classes per week to ensure adequate strength and preparation. Advanced pointe technique is for serious students with extensive training.
• Annual Spring Performance: A significant highlight of the year, providing students in Creative Movement, Ballet, Lyrical, and Modern Dance the opportunity to perform in a full-length ballet program, often an original choreography by Miss Barbara.
• Summer Arts Program: The studio offers summer programs, funded in part by grants, providing continued dance education and enrichment during the summer months.
• Teaching Artist Directory Participation: L'Ecole De Danse is listed in the Teaching Artist Directory sponsored by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, offering programs and workshops to elementary schools, further extending their reach into the community.

L'Ecole De Danse is distinguished by several key features and a deeply rooted philosophy that makes it a unique and highly respected institution in the Annapolis dance community.

• Exceptional Leadership by Miss Barbara Winner: The studio is led by its highly experienced and respected director, Miss Barbara. She is consistently praised by current and former students for her "structured, clear, personalized approach to learning ballet," her dedication to helping students achieve excellence, and her profound belief in every one of them. She has been teaching ballet and creative movement in the Annapolis area since 1977 and has received multiple grants from the Anne Arundel County and Maryland State Arts Councils for her work.
• Holistic Development Beyond Dance: A paramount feature is the studio's commitment to instilling "valuable skills to carry them through life." Students learn self-discipline, respect, and joy, along with correct body placement and traditional terminology. This focus on character building and life lessons, combined with dance technique, creates well-rounded individuals.
• "Safe and Happy Place": Testimonials frequently describe the studio as a "positive and welcoming environment" and a "safe and happy place." This nurturing atmosphere is a key reason why former students confidently enroll their own children at L'Ecole De Danse, highlighting its enduring positive impact.
• Generational Loyalty: A powerful testament to the studio's quality and enduring appeal is the fact that many current students are the children of former students who danced with Miss Barbara through middle and high school. This multi-generational trust speaks volumes about the consistent excellence and positive experience provided.
• Strong Emphasis on Classical Ballet: For those seeking rigorous and authentic classical ballet training, L'Ecole De Danse delivers. The emphasis on correct body placement, traditional French terminology, and a graded curriculum provides a solid foundation for serious dancers.
• Performance Opportunities: The annual spring performance is a significant event, offering students valuable stage experience in a full-length ballet program, often choreographed by Miss Barbara herself. These performances are supported by grants, allowing for professional presentations.
• Community Engagement: Miss Barbara's involvement as a Teaching Artist for the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County allows her to share the gift of dance through programs and workshops in local elementary schools, demonstrating the studio's commitment to the wider community.
• Non-Competitive Focus: The studio promotes cooperation rather than competition, fostering a community of dancers who care about one another and strive to share the gift of dance collaboratively.

To learn more about L'Ecole De Danse, inquire about class schedules, or enroll in a program, please use the following contact details:

Address: 1906 Forest Dr # 1A, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA

Phone: (443) 867-2464

For families in Maryland, particularly those in Annapolis and its surrounding areas, L'Ecole De Danse represents an exceptional and highly suitable local choice for dance education. Its convenient location on Forest Drive in Annapolis ensures easy accessibility, a crucial factor for busy parents navigating their children's extracurricular activities. This local presence means less time spent commuting and more time dedicated to the enriching experience of dance.

What truly makes L'Ecole De Danse ideally suited for the local community is its profound and lasting impact on its students, transcending mere dance steps. The testimonials from former students who now enroll their own children speak volumes about the studio's ability to foster not just technical excellence in ballet, but also invaluable life skills such as self-discipline, respect, confidence, and joy. Miss Barbara's personalized approach and unwavering belief in each student create a nurturing and "safe and happy place" where children can truly thrive, both artistically and personally.

The studio's dedication to classical ballet, combined with offerings in lyrical and modern dance, provides a strong foundation for any aspiring dancer, while also allowing for creative expression. The annual spring performance offers a significant opportunity for students to showcase their hard work in a professional setting, building stage presence and a sense of accomplishment. For any parent in the Annapolis area seeking a dance studio that offers not only top-notch instruction but also a deep commitment to holistic child development in a supportive, family-like environment, L'Ecole De Danse is unequivocally a premier choice, a place where the lessons learned truly carry through life.

L'Ecole De Danse

1906 Forest Dr # 1A, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA