Layla's Dance and Drum

For New Yorkers on Long Island, especially those in Valley Stream and surrounding communities, Layla's Dance and Drum is a truly exceptional and transformative destination for artistic development. This vibrant studio goes far beyond traditional dance instruction, fostering a profound sense of community, discipline, and confidence in every student. Under the extraordinary leadership of owner Ms. Anayo, Layla's Dance and Drum has cultivated an environment where children, even those initially perceived to have "two left feet," blossom into talented and self-assured performers.

The testimonials from delighted families paint a vivid picture of the studio's impact. Students are exposed to a wide array of dance styles, from the precision of ballet and tap to the energy of hip-hop and the rich cultural movements of African dance, along with drumming. What resonates most deeply with parents is the dedication of the teachers, who patiently help each child, fostering remarkable growth in technique, responsibility, and discipline. Ms. Anayo herself is celebrated for her tireless work, her passion for ensuring dance education is affordable for all, and her unwavering commitment to the children, embodying a spirit of generosity that extends to lending props and costumes free of charge to enhance performances. It’s clear that Layla's Dance and Drum is not just a school, but a true "dance family" where children support each other and thrive.

Layla's Dance and Drum is conveniently located at 27 E Merrick Rd 2nd fl, Valley Stream, NY 11581, USA. This central address places the studio in a prominent area of Valley Stream, a vibrant village in Nassau County on Long Island. East Merrick Road is a major thoroughfare, ensuring that the studio is easily accessible for residents not only within Valley Stream but also from neighboring communities such as Lynbrook, Hewlett, Franklin Square, and Queens, including areas like Laurelton and Rosedale.

The studio's location benefits from the area's robust transportation infrastructure. East Merrick Road provides excellent road connectivity, making travel by car straightforward for families. While specific public transportation details aren't explicitly detailed in the provided information, Valley Stream is well-served by Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus routes and has a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station, offering convenient options for those commuting from further afield in Long Island or from New York City. The studio being on the 2nd floor suggests a well-established commercial presence. This ease of access ensures that Layla's Dance and Drum can serve a broad base of students eager to explore dance and drumming, making it a highly practical choice for New York families.

• Diverse Dance Class Styles: Layla's Dance and Drum offers a wide array of dance genres, including Tap, Hip-hop, Ballet, African Dance, Acro-dance, Jazz, Contemporary, Afrobeat, House, Roller Skate Dancing, and Street Jazz. This comprehensive offering allows students to explore various forms and find their passion.
• Drumming Classes: In addition to dance, the studio also provides drumming lessons, offering a unique opportunity for students to engage with rhythmic arts.
• Classes for Various Ages and Levels: While not explicitly stated for all age groups, the reviews highlight classes for children, with a granddaughter attending multiple classes, suggesting programs tailored for youth. The "fun, yet challenging classes" indicate a progressive curriculum.
• Confidence Building: A core outcome of the programs is the significant boost in students' confidence, transforming hesitant learners into capable dancers.
• Discipline and Responsibility: Ms. Anayo's program is noted for building dedication, discipline, and responsibility in children over time.
• Performance Opportunities: Students are provided opportunities for dance performances, described as "extremely entertaining," where their hard work and training "come to life." This includes participation in competitions.
• Competitive Dance Training: The studio prepares students for competitions, as evidenced by a student winning a platinum trophy in her first competition.
• Affordable Tuition: Ms. Anayo is dedicated to keeping tuition prices lower than other dance schools, making quality dance education accessible to more children.
• One-on-One Assistance: Ms. Anayo "patiently helps kids one on one," ensuring personalized attention and support for each student's needs.
• Parental Volunteer Opportunities: Parents are encouraged to volunteer backstage at shows, fostering a strong community involvement and ensuring smooth performances.
• International Scholarship Opportunities: Dancers from Layla's Dance and Drum have traveled on scholarships to locations like Italy, France, Spain, Los Angeles, and Arizona, indicating high-level training and opportunities for advanced students.
• Online and In-Studio Classes: Offers a combination of in-studio and online classes, providing flexibility and wider reach.

• Exceptional Leadership by Ms. Anayo: The owner, Ms. Anayo, is consistently described as "AMAZING," "very encouraging," and tirelessly dedicated. Her commitment to affordable tuition and her willingness to go "above and beyond" (e.g., lending props and costumes free of charge) highlight her heart for the children and the community.
• Comprehensive Dance & Drumming Curriculum: Offers an unusually wide variety of dance styles (Tap, Hip-hop, Ballet, African, Acro-dance, Jazz, Contemporary, Afrobeat, House, Street Jazz) and drumming, allowing students to explore diverse artistic expressions.
• Remarkable Student Transformation: Testimonials highlight incredible growth in students, with one child going from "two left feet" to "excelling in Acro dance" and winning a platinum trophy, underscoring the effectiveness of the teaching methods.
• Strong "Dance Family" Community: The studio fosters a loving and supportive environment where children call each other "dance sisters (and brothers)" and help each other, creating a true sense of belonging.
• Focus on Holistic Development: Beyond dance technique, the program builds "dedication, discipline and responsibility" in children, recognizing dance as a tool for overall personal growth.
• Affordability and Accessibility: Ms. Anayo's commitment to keeping tuition prices low makes high-quality dance education accessible to a broader demographic in the community.
• High-Quality Instructors: Ms. Anayo "hires great teachers" who are instrumental in bringing out the best in the talented children attending the school.
• Engaging and Challenging Classes: Classes are described as "fun, yet challenging," ensuring students remain engaged and continuously progress in their capabilities.
• Impressive Performance and Competition Record: The entertaining dance performances and the success in competitions, including national and international scholarship opportunities, speak to the high caliber of training.
• Parental Involvement and Trust: The opportunity for parents to volunteer backstage and their unwavering recommendation demonstrate a high level of trust and satisfaction with the school's operations and care for the children.

Address: 27 E Merrick Rd 2nd fl, Valley Stream, NY 11581, USA

Phone: (516) 295-1867

For New Yorkers on Long Island, especially those in Valley Stream and surrounding areas, Layla's Dance and Drum is an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended local resource for dance and drumming education. Its convenient location on East Merrick Road ensures easy accessibility for families across the region, making the integration of artistic pursuits into busy schedules both practical and enjoyable. The studio's commitment to offering diverse classes both in-studio and online further enhances its suitability for various local needs and preferences.

What truly sets Layla's Dance and Drum apart and makes it so ideal for the local community is the extraordinary dedication and philosophy of its owner, Ms. Anayo. Her tireless efforts to keep tuition affordable, her patient one-on-one assistance, and her genuine "heart for our children" create an unparalleled nurturing and supportive environment. This ensures that every child, regardless of their initial skill level, has the opportunity to thrive, build confidence, and discover the joy of movement, transforming "two left feet" into award-winning performances.

Moreover, the comprehensive range of dance styles, combined with drumming, provides a rich artistic curriculum that appeals to diverse interests. The emphasis on building discipline, responsibility, and a strong "dance family" where children support each other fosters not just dancers, but well-rounded individuals. For any New York family seeking a dance studio that offers top-tier instruction, a vibrant community, unparalleled dedication, and a commitment to making quality artistic education accessible, Layla's Dance and Drum in Valley Stream is undoubtedly a premier choice and a cherished local institution.

Layla's Dance and Drum

27 E Merrick Rd 2nd fl, Valley Stream, NY 11581, USA