Shirley Van's Dance Studio

Welcome to Shirley Van's Dance Studio, a cherished and enduring pillar of dance education right here in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With a rich history spanning over 60 years, this studio has consistently provided quality and affordable dance instruction to generations of local dancers. At Shirley Van's, the student's progress is always the first priority. The unwavering goal is to deliver the best possible dance training, emphasizing proper technique within a fun and profoundly nurturing environment. Beyond the steps and choreography, Shirley Van's Dance Studio is dedicated to helping students develop invaluable life skills such as self-esteem, self-confidence, self-discipline, and a true, lasting love for the performing arts. Whether your little one is just starting their dance journey, or you're an adult looking to rediscover the joy of movement, this studio offers a welcoming home for all in the Green Bay community.

Shirley Van's Dance Studio is conveniently located at 530 Greene Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301, USA. This accessible address places the studio in a well-established and easily navigable part of Green Bay, making it a practical choice for families and individuals throughout the city and surrounding areas of Wisconsin. Its location on Greene Avenue ensures straightforward access, simplifying the logistics for parents during drop-offs and pick-ups. Ample parking is typically available in the vicinity, contributing to a hassle-free experience for all visitors. The studio's commitment to being an integral part of the local community is reflected in its convenient placement, ensuring that high-quality dance education is readily available to all who wish to participate, fostering a strong connection with the local Wisconsin area.

Services Offered:

• Twinkle Tots (2-3 yrs): A creative movement class specifically designed for the youngest dancers, introducing them to ballet basics, mat work, singing, games, and more in a playful environment.
• Combo Classes (3-7 yrs): Tailored for new, young students, these classes combine ballet, tap, and tumbling, introducing dancers to the joy of rhythm, movement, and coordination. Available for first, second, and third-year dance students once they are 3 years old and potty trained.
• CJBT - Creative Jazz, Ballet, Tap (6-8 yrs): Designed for dancers with three years of combo class experience, this class continues with ballet and tap while introducing the fundamentals of jazz.
• BTJ I & II - Ballet, Tap, Jazz (7-10 yrs): For dancers in their fourth and fifth year of dance, this class builds on the techniques and foundation of ballet, tap, and jazz, typically taken over a two-year span.
• Ballet (9+ yrs): Students learn the basics of ballet barre and center work, exposed to French terminology, and emphasis is placed on proper placement, correct body alignment, and development of poise and grace.
• Tap (9+ yrs): Classes focused on using the sounds of metal taps as percussion, coupled with characteristic and interpretive body movements, developing coordination, rhythm, timing, and strengthening feet and legs.
• Jazz (9+ yrs): A stylized theatrical form promoting good posture, strength, technique, and rhythm.
• Lyrical (10-13 yrs): Blends elements of ballet and jazz, emphasizing expressing emotion and storytelling through smooth, flowing movements that mirror music's rhythm and lyrics. Students must be enrolled in a weekly ballet class.
• Drill Prep (11+ yrs): This class teaches skills for those interested in trying out for drill team or improving dance technique, focusing on precision jazz & kick technique, placement, musicality, strength, and flexibility.
• Hip Hop (7+ yrs): Introduces various styles of urban street dance, teaching students to find rhythm and groove while encouraging individual style and personality, incorporating isolations and stretching.
• Contemporary (11+ yrs): A non-traditional, emotionally-driven exploration of motion using fundamentals of suspension, dynamics, fluidity, and freedom of expression. Dancers must be enrolled in a ballet class.
• Adult Classes (18+ yrs): Never too late to join! Offering beginning to advanced levels in tap, plus ballet, contemporary, and hip hop. The studio proudly notes students ranging from 18 to 94 years old.
• Gymnastics: Taught by an experienced instructor, focusing on skills that combine dance and gymnastics.
• Zumba: Fitness classes focusing on dance-inspired cardio.
• Cotillion Austin-Style (10-13 yrs): Provides training in basic etiquette, communication skills, and social dance education, teaching good manners and partner dance.
• Performance Opportunities: Students have numerous chances to show off their hard work, including an annual recital and participation in community outreach programs like parades and local functions.
• The Dance Company: An audition-based company (ages 8 to adult), founded by Shirley Van over 35 years ago, that stages two major family-friendly productions each year (e.g., The Nutcracker and a Spring Production) in various dance forms.

Features / Highlights:

• Over 60 Years of Experience: Shirley Van's Dance Studio has a remarkable legacy, providing quality and affordable dance instruction for more than six decades, demonstrating deep roots and expertise in the community.
• Student-Centric Approach: The primary focus is on student progress, ensuring each individual receives the best possible dance training in a supportive and fun atmosphere.
• Emphasis on Proper Technique: The studio is dedicated to teaching proper technique, ensuring students "do not just learn choreography for a dance, they become dancers!"
• Holistic Development: Beyond dance skills, the studio helps students develop crucial life attributes such as self-esteem, self-confidence, self-discipline, and a genuine love for the performing arts.
• Diverse and Comprehensive Curriculum: With classes ranging from "Twinkle Tots" for preschoolers to specialized adult classes, and covering a wide array of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and even gymnastics, there is truly something for every age and interest.
• The Dance Company: A significant highlight is The Dance Company, a non-profit organization founded by Shirley Van, which provides advanced performance opportunities through two major, family-friendly productions annually (e.g., The Nutcracker, Spring Production). These shows are known for their accessibility, with storytelling through dance, speaking parts, and character interaction with the audience.
• Experienced and Caring Instructors: The teaching staff, including instructors like Bryanna (specializing in ballet, jazz, lyrical/performance, tap), Ana Turba (gymnastics), Katelyn Badeau (creative movement, basic dance, jazz, tap, also Office Manager), and Morgan Wigman (ballet, jazz, technique, dance fitness, tap), often have long histories with the studio as former students, showcasing their deep commitment and love for Shirley Van's.
• Community Involvement: The studio has a long-standing community outreach program (since 1950), with dancers and instructors volunteering for local needs and events like parades and community functions. The Dance Company's goal is also to communicate through dance to all people, including those with physical, economic, or mental challenges.
• Family-Friendly Environment: Reviews consistently mention the welcoming and nurturing atmosphere, indicating that kids are "focused, work hard and having fun."
• Affordable Instruction: The studio prides itself on providing "quality and affordable dance instruction," making dance accessible to more families.
• Structured Class Placement: Decisions about class levels are made based on age, experience, and ability to ensure students are in the most appropriate and beneficial learning environment.

Contact Information:

Address: 530 Greene Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301, USA

Phone: (920) 433-0975

For locals throughout Wisconsin, and particularly those in the Green Bay area, Shirley Van's Dance Studio stands as a truly exceptional and deeply rooted resource for dance education. Its decades-long commitment to providing "quality and affordable dance instruction" in a fun and nurturing environment is unparalleled. The glowing reviews from parents highlighting how children embrace learning and grow in focus and confidence are a testament to the studio's positive impact. Whether you're seeking to introduce a young child to the joys of creative movement, looking for comprehensive training in classical ballet, tap, or jazz, or interested in the unique performance opportunities offered by The Dance Company, Shirley Van's caters to all aspirations and ages. This studio is more than just a place to learn dance steps; it’s a community where a love for the performing arts is cultivated, self-discipline is instilled, and lasting memories are made. Shirley Van's Dance Studio is undoubtedly a cherished and vital asset to our Wisconsin community.

Shirley Van's Dance Studio

530 Greene Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301, USA