Van Metre School of Dance: Ballet and More in Maryville, TN

Van Metre School of Dance Introduce

For families and aspiring dancers in Tennessee, particularly within the Maryville area, the Van Metre School of Dance has been a long-standing institution dedicated to the art of movement. With a history stretching back decades, Van Metre School of Dance is not just a place to learn steps; it is presented as an environment designed to foster a deep love for dance and develop skill according to each individual's ability, aiming for the dance experience to be an enriching part of a student's life and education. The school is known for being the official school of the Appalachian Ballet Company, a premier classical performing company in East Tennessee.

Van Metre School of Dance strives to create a warm and nurturing environment where dancers can thrive both inside and outside the studio. The belief is that being a dancer builds confidence in various aspects of life, which is why the school aims to bring care and joy to its students, reminding them of their capabilities and potential. This focus on holistic development, encompassing poise, posture, grace, flexibility, fitness, and social skills, is a key aspect of their approach to dance education. While the school is recognized for its extensive dance curriculum and commitment to artistic development, as with any institution involving children, parents are encouraged to actively engage with the school's policies and practices to ensure they align with their family's priorities.

Van Metre School of Dance is conveniently located at 215 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37801, USA. This accessible address places the school in the heart of Downtown Maryville, making it a prominent and easily reachable destination for residents of Maryville and surrounding communities in Blount County. West Broadway Avenue is a key thoroughfare, ensuring straightforward navigation for students and parents. The location itself, as part of Downtown Maryville's directory, suggests it is integrated into the local community's vibrant landscape. Ample parking options are generally available in a downtown setting, contributing to convenient drop-offs and pick-ups. Its strategic position within Maryville underscores its role as a central hub for dance education, offering ease of access for families seeking a local dance program.

Services Offered:

Comprehensive dance instruction across a wide range of genres including:
- Ballet (including Pre-pointe & Pointe classes)
- Creative Movement (for younger dancers)
- Jazz
- Contemporary / Lyrical
- Tap
- Hip Hop
- Modern
- Musical Theatre
- Acro (Ages 7+)
Classes available for various age groups, from preschoolers (e.g., 3-year-olds) to adults.
Adult and Teen classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, and Senior Tap, with options for beginners and experienced dancers.
Combination classes (e.g., Ballet/Tap Combo) for younger students.
Specific class durations ranging from 40 to 90 minutes depending on age and level.
Opportunities for students to perform in recitals and productions, including association with the Appalachian Ballet Company's performances.
Focus on developing individual skill and love for dance according to personal ability.

Features / Highlights:

Known as the official school for the Appalachian Ballet Company, East Tennessee's premier classical performing company, offering advanced training and performance opportunities.
The school aims to develop in each student a love for and skill in the art of dance, creating an enriching part of their life and education.
Teachers are described by satisfied parents as kind and effective in helping students learn significantly.
Emphasizes developing confidence, poise, posture, grace, flexibility, fitness, and social skills in students.
The school has a long-standing presence in Blount County, being one of its oldest businesses.
The Artistic Director, Amy Morton Vaughn, also serves as the Chair for the advisory board for the Clayton Center for the Arts and has held significant roles within Regional Dance America.
Offers a diverse curriculum catering to various ages and interests, from classical ballet to hip-hop.
Strives to provide a warm and nurturing environment for dancers to thrive.

Contact Information:

Address: 215 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37801, USA

Phone: (865) 982-8463

Mobile Phone: +1 865-982-8463

For residents across Tennessee, particularly those in the Maryville area, the Van Metre School of Dance has served as a cornerstone of dance education for many years. Its suitability for locals stems from its accessible downtown location and its comprehensive curriculum that caters to a wide range of ages and dance interests. The school's long-standing reputation and its association with the Appalachian Ballet Company indicate a commitment to a high standard of dance instruction, providing opportunities for students to engage with professional-level artistry.

Parents seeking a local dance school where their children can learn various dance forms, develop technical skills, and build confidence often find Van Metre School of Dance to be a strong option. The positive feedback from some parents highlights the kindness of the teachers and the significant learning experiences their children have had. However, it is imperative for local families to be fully aware of and comfortable with the school's existing safety protocols. The detailed feedback from a parent regarding a safety incident involving a young child, and the subsequent recommendations for a sign-in/sign-out policy, coded entry, and staff training, underscore the importance for parents to directly inquire about and understand the school's current safety measures and any recent updates to them. While the school expresses a desire to create a nurturing environment, proactive parental engagement regarding safety policies is crucial to ensure that the school aligns with individual family expectations for child supervision and security. For those who confirm comfort with the implemented safety procedures, Van Metre School of Dance continues to offer a broad and deep immersion into the world of dance for the Maryville community.

Van Metre School of Dance Photos

Van Metre School of Dance Location

Van Metre School of Dance

Tennessee Blount County Maryville West Broadway Avenue

215 W Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37801, USA

Van Metre School of Dance Reviews

I would like to make other parents aware of a very serious safety issue that my child faced while a student at Van Metre.My child, 4 years old, was a member of Van Metre, alongside children of all ages. In early April 2025, my husband dropped off my daughter at 9am for her dance class, which was to end at 9:45am. Parents are advised to drop them off in the lobby, and they encourage parents to leave so that the children can practice without distraction.When my husband arrived at 9:43am to be in the lobby ahead of time before her class ended, my 4 year old met him down the back alley outside of the building, before class had even ended. When my husband loudly and audibly said, "Why are you outside? Where is your teacher?", an adult popped her head around the corner and waved, only then noticing that my child had run down the back alley, towards a parking garage.I contacted the school more than once, and it wasn't until I came in person that they responded to my concerns. The owner called me and apologized, and urged us to stay in the program. I told her that I didn't feel comfortable but that I would let her know an answer via email.I later emailed her confirming that I would like my child removed from the program due to safety concerns. I also requested an update on what they're doing to improve safety for other children, recommending a check-in or check-out system, and a coded entry so that children could not let themselves out the door. The only response that I got was that they had discussed the issue with their team, but offered no updates on what they're doing to improve safety for these children.I am very VERY concerned for other children. As it stands, there is no check-in or check-out process, the children are just dropped in the lobby. There is no coded entry, allowing children to enter and leave directly into a parking lot. Students are released to any adult that comes to pick them up, with no checks that the adult is actual their guardian. The school says that there is a door monitor person, however, I have never seen nor been introduced to this designated person, and with so many people coming in and out, it is impossible to know who is entering and leaving at any given time with what child. Furthermore, I was never offered an explanation as to how my child left her dance classroom in the first place before class ended, much less the building.To be clear:a. My four year old was able to leave the classroom before the end of class time without the instructor noticing.b. My four year old was able to leave the building, without the door monitor noticing.c. It wasn't until my four year old was running towards the parking garage and my husband found her that staff noticed she was outside the building.d. No staff confirmed that my husband was her actual guardian at any point, and allowed her to leave with him, no questions.If you're a current parent of a student, please urge ownership to refine the safety policy so that future children are protected. I have recommended that ownership implement:a. A sign in, sign out policy, allowing children to only leave with their guardianb. A coded door so that children cannot exit the building without an adultc. Staff trainings to ensure that this does not happen againI am afraid to know what could have happened to my child had she been able to access the main street or the parking garage alone.
May 02, 2025 · Sabrina Rose
My daughter loves going to ballet class here. The teachers are so kind, and my daughter is learning so much.
Feb 01, 2025 · Heather Snyder
My daughter takes lessons at Van Metre School of Dance for ballet and she loves it! The staff and teachers are extremely friendly and professional. The classes are a good student:teacher ratio and lessons are at an affordable rate to parents. I highly recommend this studio for anyone ages 3 to Adult.
Jul 05, 2013 · Stacy Carleton
Really great teachers. The recitals are very well organized. You will not be disappointed taking your child here.
Aug 07, 2019 · Michael L
Hi, I really appreciate that y’all haven’t changed how you treat your customers admist all this panic. (Unlike other dance studios in town who are choosing to inflict these science experiment rules onto others). Thank you
Apr 26, 2021 · Jess Green