Stairway to the Stars

For over three decades, Stairway to the Stars has been a cherished institution in Washington, Iowa, providing exceptional dance and tumbling instruction to generations of local children. Since its establishment in 1993, this academy has dedicated itself to more than just teaching intricate steps or acrobatic maneuvers; it's about fostering holistic development in young people. The program at Stairway to the Stars is thoughtfully designed to "motivate and inspire young people to be the best that they can be in every aspect of their lives." This profound philosophy underpins every class, ensuring that students not only develop physical skills like concentration, coordination, and discipline but also cultivate a positive self-image and a lifelong love for movement. The age-appropriate curriculum ensures that learning is always fun and engaging, allowing children to build foundational skills for good health and fitness that will benefit them far into the future. It’s a place where "many life-long friends will be made," not just for the students but for parents too. As one loyal customer beautifully articulated, their "kids have gone there for years. Instructors are wonderful and my kids have a great time." Another parent enthusiastically shared that her children started at the studio the day it opened, with her daughter dancing from age 2-16, and now her 4-year-old grandson is enjoying Boys Tumbling. This long-standing positive reputation and multi-generational appeal are testament to the nurturing, professional, and impactful environment that Stairway to the Stars provides for the Washington community.

Stairway to the Stars is conveniently located at 202 S Iowa Ave, Washington, IA 52353, USA. This prime location in downtown Washington makes the academy highly accessible for families residing within the city and from surrounding communities in Washington County. Being situated on South Iowa Avenue, the studio benefits from excellent visibility and is easy to find, simplifying daily commutes for parents and students. The facility boasts four studios within its premises, a significant advantage that allows the academy to maintain a consistent and clear class schedule throughout the week, "keeping weekends free for family time." This thoughtful scheduling and the central location contribute to a stress-free experience for parents, who also benefit from a user-friendly website, newsletters, and an attentive office staff dedicated to keeping them informed. Furthermore, the studio even assists with practicalities like shoe fitting and ordering, truly taking care of everything from start to finish. This dedication to convenience and accessibility ensures that high-quality dance and tumbling instruction is readily available and manageable for local families, making Stairway to the Stars a practical and appealing choice for extracurricular activities in Washington, Iowa.

Stairway to the Stars offers a comprehensive range of dance and tumbling programs designed to cater to various ages, skill levels, and interests. Their curriculum emphasizes both technical progression and holistic child development. Key services and class offerings include:

• Diverse Dance Styles: The academy provides instruction in a wide array of dance forms, ensuring a well-rounded education. These include:
  • Ballet: Emphasizing proper terminology, alignment, strength, and flexibility, forming the foundation of all dance.
  • Tap: Focuses on rhythm, coordination, and the ability to produce various sounds and rhythms with the feet.
  • Jazz: Reflects diverse styles from classic to funk, hip-hop, and lyrical, utilizing ballet techniques and movements. All jazz students must also be enrolled in ballet.
  • Hip Hop: High-energy street dance styles. Students must be enrolled in ballet and jazz to participate in Hip Hop.
  • Lyrical: Combines ballet and jazz techniques, performed to music with lyrics to express strong emotions.
  • Clogging: A truly American dance form, done in time with the music, usually with the heel keeping the rhythm. Students must be enrolled in a tap class to take clogging.
• Tumbling Programs: Designed to develop strength, flexibility, and coordination through proper form and execution of skills. Tumblers set goals and progress through basic to advanced skills via coached repetition.
• Age-Appropriate Classes:
  • Wee Dance & Creative Dance (Ages 2-3): Introductory classes for young children with no previous dance or tumbling exposure, focusing on basic locomotor skills, gross and fine motor skills, and flexibility through fun-filled activities.
  • 3-1/2, 4 & 5 YEARS Classes: Introduce children to ballet through music and movement, teaching basic steps and terminology, using props, and introducing the ballet barre. These classes also introduce jazz and hip-hop.
  • 6 YEARS AND UP Combination Classes: For beginners through advanced, these classes introduce dancers to ballet, jazz, and tap, including warm-ups, stretches, ballet technique, jazz across-the-floor, turns, combinations, hip-hop routines, and tap (Al Gilbert method).
  • Strict Ballet: For serious dancers, recommended after 1-2 years of combination class, focusing on furthering abilities in dance.
• Performance Opportunities: Students participate in a Spring Recital, providing a platform to showcase their progress and experience the thrill of performing.
• Apparel Store: An on-line apparel store makes it convenient for parents to purchase necessary dance wear.
• Parent Support: The studio aims to make the dance experience "stress-free for parents" with clear schedules, newsletters, a website, and office staff support, including assistance with shoe fitting and ordering.

• Long-Standing Reputation and Experience: Stairway to the Stars has been offering dance and tumbling instruction in Washington, Iowa, since 1993. This extensive experience, spanning over three decades, speaks volumes about their stability, expertise, and commitment to the community. Such longevity builds trust and signifies a proven track record of quality education.
• Holistic Child Development Philosophy: A core highlight is the academy's mission to "motivate and inspire young people to be the best that they can be in every aspect of their lives." They believe that proper dance training offers enormous benefits beyond technique, fostering enhanced concentration, coordination, discipline, and a positive self-image. This commitment to overall child development is highly valued by parents.
• Nurturing and Qualified Staff: Customer reviews consistently praise the "wonderful" and "caring" instructors. The staff creates a safe, enriched, and child-centered environment, making students feel welcomed and supported. This patient and encouraging approach helps even shy children thrive, as noted by a parent who said teachers "helped my little girl be a part of the class."
• Strong Community and Friendship Building: The studio is a place where "many life-long friends will be made," not just for students but also for parents. This emphasis on community and social connection creates a supportive network and enjoyable experience for all involved, fostering a sense of belonging.
• Diverse and Age-Appropriate Curriculum: With a wide array of dance styles (Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Clogging) and tumbling classes, catering to ages 2 through advanced levels, the academy offers something for every interest and developmental stage. The curriculum is specifically designed to be age-appropriate, ensuring fun and effective learning.
• Parent-Friendly Operations: Stairway to the Stars actively works to make the experience "stress-free for parents." This includes a clear, consistent schedule that keeps weekends free for family time, a comprehensive website, newsletters for communication, dedicated office staff, and even assistance with shoe fitting and ordering.
• Focus on Confidence and Life Lessons: As one parent shared, their daughter is "not only learning about dance, she's building confidence in herself and learning valuable life lessons." This highlights the studio's success in imparting crucial soft skills alongside dance techniques.

For those in Washington, Iowa, and the surrounding areas eager to learn more about dance and tumbling programs, or to enroll their child, Stairway to the Stars welcomes inquiries via the following contact details:

Address: 202 S Iowa Ave, Washington, IA 52353, USA

Phone: (319) 653-5648

Mobile Phone: +1 319-653-5648

Email: office@stairwaytothestarz.com

Website: www.stairwaytothestarz.com

For families in Washington, Iowa, Stairway to the Stars stands out as an exceptional and highly suitable choice for dance and tumbling education. Its deep roots in the community, having served locals since 1993, speak to its enduring quality and trusted reputation. What truly makes Stairway to the Stars ideal for residents is its holistic approach to child development. Beyond teaching specific dance steps or tumbling moves, the academy is committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals, fostering concentration, coordination, discipline, and a positive self-image. Parents consistently praise the "wonderful" and "caring" instructors, who create a welcoming and supportive environment where children not only learn and have a "great time" but also build confidence and learn valuable life lessons. The convenience of its downtown Washington location on S Iowa Ave, coupled with four in-house studios, allows for a consistent class schedule that respects family time on weekends – a major benefit for busy local households. Furthermore, the studio actively strives to make the experience stress-free for parents through clear communication channels, a helpful office staff, and even assistance with practicalities like shoe fitting. With a diverse array of age-appropriate classes, from creative movement for toddlers to advanced ballet and various styles for older children, Stairway to the Stars truly caters to every child's journey into the world of movement. It's more than just a dance studio; it's a community hub where children make "life-long friends" and develop skills that will serve them well throughout their lives, making it an invaluable local asset for Washington, Iowa families.

Stairway to the Stars

202 S Iowa Ave, Washington, IA 52353, USA