The Gift of Dance

For busy families in St. Augustine, Florida, and across St. Johns County, "The Gift of Dance" offers a truly innovative and incredibly convenient solution for introducing children to the joy and discipline of dance. This isn't your traditional brick-and-mortar studio; it's a dynamic mobile dance company that brings high-quality dance instruction directly to local community centers and, notably, to area schools through programs like Village Extended Day Services. If you're a local parent seeking a seamless way for your child to experience the magic of dance, build confidence, and have fun, "The Gift of Dance" is an absolute game-changer.

Founded by Cristina Duncan in 2012, "The Gift of Dance" began as a small neighborhood class and quickly evolved into a comprehensive program serving preschools, after-school programs, and summer camps. As a former SJCSD teacher, Ms. Duncan has leveraged her educational background to build a curriculum and lesson plans specifically tailored for their mobile program. This ensures that every class is not only filled with fun, age-appropriate choreography but also focuses on building a strong foundation in dance techniques, particularly ballet, which is crucial for all other forms.

What truly sets "The Gift of Dance" apart, as highlighted by glowing customer reviews, is its commitment to convenience and the positive impact it has on children. Parents consistently rave about the ease of having dance classes integrated into their child's after-school routine, eliminating the need for extra driving. More importantly, they praise the "very professional" instructors, the "beautiful" costumes, and the visible growth in confidence as kids "have fun and have confidence on stage." This unique blend of accessibility, professional instruction, and joyful learning makes "The Gift of Dance" a highly recommended local business in Florida.

While "The Gift of Dance" has an administrative address at 161 Casa Sevilla Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32092, USA, its primary mode of operation is as a mobile dance company. This means their "location" is truly wherever the students are, bringing dance classes directly to local community centers, preschools, and especially elementary schools throughout St. Johns County. This unique mobile model is a massive advantage for accessibility, particularly for busy local families in Florida.

For parents, this means a significant reduction in transportation logistics. As one reviewer aptly put it, "having her go directly to dance after school and then sent to extended day without any driving around was such a game changer!" This on-site model at schools like Mill Creek Academy, RB Hunt Elementary, Treaty Oaks Prep, Island Prep Elementary, Webster Elementary, Freedom Crossing Academy, Osceola Elementary, and Crookshank Elementary School, eliminates the need for separate commutes to a dance studio, saving valuable time and reducing stress.

This accessibility allows a broader range of children to participate in dance, regardless of their parents' transportation availability or tight schedules. The program's integration with extended day services further simplifies participation, making dance a seamless part of a child's day. "The Gift of Dance" embodies convenience, making quality dance education readily available within the familiar and safe environments of local Florida schools.

• Mobile Dance Classes: The core service is bringing dance classes directly to local community centers, preschools, and after-school programs within St. Johns County, eliminating the need for parents to transport children to a separate studio.
• After-School Dance Programs: Partnership with programs like Village Extended Day Services to offer dance classes immediately following the school day at various elementary schools, including Mill Creek Academy, RB Hunt Elementary, Treaty Oaks Prep, Island Prep Elementary, Webster Elementary, Freedom Crossing Academy, Osceola Elementary, and Crookshank Elementary School.
• Age-Appropriate Classes: Offers classes for various age groups, from young dancers (ages 2 & up) with "Mommy/Daddy & Me Class" and "Creative Movement" to elementary-aged students (e.g., 1st-5th graders) and older.
• Foundational Ballet Instruction: For the youngest dancers, classes are focused on building a strong foundation in ballet, recognized as key for all other forms of dance.
• Combo Classes: For older students, they offer combo classes that explore the basics of multiple styles, typically including ballet, jazz, and hip hop.
• Diverse Dance Styles Offered (at studio location, if applicable/implied): While the mobile program focuses on foundational ballet/jazz/hip hop, their broader "Services" page indicates a wider range potentially offered at a dedicated studio space or through specialized programs, including:
  • Ballet
  • Pointe (for highest level ballet dancers when ready)
  • Tap
  • Jazz
  • Hip Hop
  • Lyrical/Contemporary (requires at least two years of prior Ballet experience)
  • Musical Theater (incorporates singing, acting, and dancing)
  • Acro/Tumbling
  • Majorette (fusion of Hip Hop, Jazz, and Burlesque)
• Adult Dance Classes: Offers classes for adults in styles such as Ballet, Fitness, and Salsa, catering to all ages.
• Progressive Curriculum: Classes in each session are progressive, building skills and technique towards a performance.
• Full-Scale Recitals: Each session culminates in a full-scale recital where students showcase their learned skills and choreography to friends and family, providing valuable stage experience.
• Multi-Class and Sibling Discounts: Offers discounts for students taking multiple classes and for siblings enrolled, encouraging versatile dancers and supporting families.
• Competition Team: An audition-only competition team for members who train several days per week.
• Summer Camps: Provides dance programs during the summer break.
• Curriculum & Lesson Plans: Developed by owner Cristina Duncan, a former SJCSD teacher, ensuring structured and tailored instruction.

• Unparalleled Convenience (Mobile Program): The most significant highlight is its mobile format, bringing dance classes directly to schools and community centers. This "game changer" eliminates driving for parents and allows children to transition seamlessly from school to dance.
• Professional and Engaging Instructors: Reviews consistently praise the dance instructors for being "very professional" and ensuring "all the kids have fun and have confidence on stage." The team is "passionate about helping students gain confidence as they find their love for dance & movement!"
• Focus on Confidence and Joy: Beyond technique, a core feature is fostering children's confidence and genuine enjoyment of dance. The visible pride of watching kids "have fun and have confidence on stage" is a recurring theme.
• Full-Scale Recitals with Beautiful Costumes: The culmination of each session with a "full scale recital" featuring "very beautiful" costumes provides a professional and memorable performance experience for students and families.
• Foundational Skill Building: Classes for younger students are specifically designed to build a strong foundation in ballet, which is emphasized as key for success in all other dance forms.
• Diverse Dance Styles: While maintaining a strong foundation, the program offers exposure to multiple styles like ballet, jazz, and hip hop in combo classes, and a wider range (Tap, Lyrical/Contemporary, Musical Theater, Acro/Tumbling, Majorette, Adult Ballet/Fitness/Salsa) at their dedicated studio location.
• Experienced Founder and Curriculum: Created by Cristina Duncan, a former SJCSD teacher, ensuring a well-structured and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Inclusive Philosophy: Believes "EVERY BODY can dance!" regardless of level or ability, fostering a welcoming environment.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Offers multi-class and sibling discounts, recognizing the needs of local families.

Address: 161 Casa Sevilla Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32092, USA

Phone: (904) 434-5607

Mobile Phone: +1 904-434-5607

For residents of St. Augustine, Florida, and particularly for busy families in St. Johns County, "The Gift of Dance" offers an incredibly suitable and highly recommended solution for dance education. Its innovative mobile model, combined with a strong commitment to fostering confidence and joy in dance, makes it a unique and invaluable resource for our local community.

The most compelling reason for locals to choose "The Gift of Dance" is the unparalleled convenience it provides. As one glowing review attests, "having her go directly to dance after school and then sent to extended day without any driving around was such a game changer!" For full-time working parents, this seamless integration of dance into the school day or after-school routine eliminates a major logistical hurdle, making dance accessible even to the busiest households. This convenience alone makes it a top contender for many Florida families.

Beyond logistics, the quality of instruction and the positive impact on children are consistently highlighted. The "very professional" dance instructors are lauded for ensuring "all the kids have fun and have confidence on stage." This focus on building self-assurance, alongside teaching foundational dance skills in ballet, jazz, and hip hop, means that children not only learn to dance but also develop crucial life skills and a genuine love for movement. The opportunity to perform in "full-scale recitals" with "beautiful costumes" further adds to the pride and excitement for both the dancers and their families.

The broad age range served, from very young dancers in "Mommy/Daddy & Me" to elementary students in combo classes and even adults, ensures that the whole family can engage with dance. Cristina Duncan's background as a former teacher also guarantees a well-structured and developmentally appropriate curriculum. For any family in Florida seeking a high-quality, convenient, and truly joyful dance experience for their children, "The Gift of Dance" comes with the highest recommendation and promises to continue bringing the magic of movement right to our local neighborhoods for years to come.

The Gift of Dance

161 Casa Sevilla Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32092, USA