The Mid Shore Dance Academy

For families and dance enthusiasts across Maryland, particularly those nestled in the heart of Centreville, The Mid Shore Dance Academy stands as a cherished local institution. More than just a place to learn choreography, this academy is a vibrant community hub where individuals of all ages and skill levels can embark on a transformative journey through the art of dance. With a strong commitment to nurturing creativity, imagination, and healthy physical activity, The Mid Shore Dance Academy fosters an environment where "everyone's success is celebrated," making it a beloved destination for dance education in the region.

Under the guidance of owner and director Shari Smigo, who brings extensive pre-professional and university training in dance and psychology, the academy emphasizes holistic development. It’s a place where students not only build physical and mental strength, balance, agility, and flexibility but also develop crucial life skills such as goal-setting, teamwork, loyalty, respect, and discipline. The dedication of the adult dance professionals on staff, many with impressive performance credits and years of teaching experience, ensures unparalleled quality in dance education. For many Maryland families, The Mid Shore Dance Academy is where lifelong friendships are forged, confidence soars, and the joy of dance becomes a deeply ingrained part of life's journey. It truly empowers area youth to be the best versions of themselves, fostering inner strength, poise, and discipline.

The Mid Shore Dance Academy is conveniently located at 2742 Centreville Road, Centreville, MD 21617, USA. This prime location in Centreville ensures excellent accessibility for residents throughout Queen Anne's County and the wider Eastern Shore region of Maryland. Centreville Road is a well-known and easily navigable thoroughfare, making the studio straightforward to find whether you're traveling from within Centreville or from surrounding towns. The academy's position is ideal for integrating dance classes into daily routines, minimizing travel time for busy families.

Accessibility is further enhanced by practical considerations. While not explicitly detailed, dance studios typically offer adequate parking for students and their families, ensuring a smooth arrival and departure. The academy has also adapted to modern needs, implementing measures like closing lobbies to minimize congestion and providing options for virtual enrollment, demonstrating a commitment to safety and convenience for its community. This thoughtful approach, combined with its central location, makes The Mid Shore Dance Academy a practical and appealing choice for any Maryland family seeking high-quality dance instruction. Its accessible spot helps foster a strong connection with the local community, making dance education a convenient and enriching part of local life.

The Mid Shore Dance Academy offers a comprehensive range of dance styles and programs designed for various ages and skill levels, emphasizing both artistry and personal development.

• Early Childhood Programs: Including "Tiny Twirlers" and "Tiny Tippy Toes" classes that introduce ballet basics, creative movement, and coordination skills to very young children in a fun, engaging way.
• Ballet & Pointe: Progressing from foundational techniques to advanced ballet and the art of pointe, with rigorous training that prioritizes safety, strength, and dedication.
• Tap: Instruction in classic to contemporary tap dance styles, focusing on rhythm, musicality, and expressive footwork.
• Jazz: High-energy classes blending Broadway and Latin styles with technical leaps, turns, and intricate choreography, often enhanced by ballet training.
• Contemporary: Exploring a fusion of ballet, modern, and jazz to push artistic boundaries, emphasizing limitless creativity and emotional expression through movement.
• Hip Hop: Age-specific classes showcasing urban style with clean beats, embracing the vibrant energy and originality of street dance.
• Ballroom & Social Dance: Partnering with "Dancing On The Shore" to offer tailored group or private lessons in elegant ballroom and social dance styles.
• Performance Opportunities: Regular showcases and an annual June recital ("First Steps Recital" for younger students and "Upper School Recital" for older dancers) provide opportunities to perform and build confidence.
• Emphasis on Life Skills: Integrating lessons on goal-setting, teamwork, loyalty, respect, discipline, and healthy physical activity into the dance curriculum.
• Flexible Session Enrollment: Classes are often offered in four 8-week sessions, with options for continuous enrollment and recital participation.

The Mid Shore Dance Academy is distinguished by several key features and highlights that make it a premier dance education institution in Maryland.

• Experienced and Highly Qualified Staff: Led by owner Shari Smigo, who has extensive training and experience since 1996, the instructors are all adult dance professionals with pre-professional, university training, and professional performance credits. This ensures top-tier instruction.
• Community-Focused Philosophy: The academy prioritizes community over competition, fostering a supportive, family-friendly atmosphere where "everyone's success is celebrated," as highlighted by their mission.
• Holistic Student Development: Beyond dance technique, the studio is committed to developing life skills such as confidence, self-esteem, balance, strength, agility, and social skills through positive group interactions.
• Diverse Dance Styles for All Ages: A broad range of genres is offered, from early childhood creative movement to advanced ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and even ballroom, catering to a wide demographic.
• Meaningful Performance Opportunities: The annual recitals are a significant highlight, described as entertaining for general audiences and particularly moving for older dancers, creating "lasting memories."
• Emphasis on Classical Foundation: While offering diverse styles, the academy believes in a "classical foundation" like ballet, ensuring strong technical grounding for all students.
• Adaptability and Safety Measures: The studio has implemented modern safety protocols (e.g., smaller class sizes, virtual enrollment options, disinfecting between groups) to ensure a safe learning environment.
• Parent Observation Options: During specific observation weeks or via live streaming to the waiting room, parents have opportunities to see their children's progress.
• Positive Community Reviews: Testimonials from parents praise the teachers' active interest in students, their ability to showcase talent, and the gentle, kind approach with young children.

For inquiries about class schedules, enrollment, or any other information, you can easily contact The Mid Shore Dance Academy.

Address: 2742 Centreville Rd, Centreville, MD 21617, USA

While a phone number for this specific Centreville location was not readily available through public search, general inquiries for The Mid Shore Dance Academy can often be directed through their main organizational contact methods or website, which typically provides contact forms and overall studio information. Their main phone number, as found for their broader organization, is (410) 443-4878.

The Mid Shore Dance Academy is an outstanding choice for locals in Maryland, especially those residing in Centreville and the surrounding Eastern Shore communities. It stands out not only for its comprehensive dance programs but also for its deeply ingrained community focus and commitment to holistic student development. As stated by its director, the academy strives to "empower area youth to be the best versions of themselves," fostering inner strength, confidence, poise, and discipline – qualities that extend far beyond the dance floor.

For parents, the studio offers the comfort of knowing their children are learning from "adult dance professionals with pre-professional and university training," ensuring top-tier instruction. The diverse range of classes means that whether a child is a "Tiny Twirler" taking their first steps or an older dancer pursuing advanced techniques, there's a place for them to grow. Furthermore, the emphasis on building healthy, enduring relationships and fostering a positive atmosphere makes it a place where "lifelong friendships" are built. The academy’s accessibility in Centreville, coupled with its focus on a safe and enriching experience for all, makes it an ideal and cherished local resource for bringing the joy and benefits of dance to the Maryland community.

The Mid Shore Dance Academy

2742 Centreville Rd, Centreville, MD 21617, USA