Help Me Find My Dance Home

I’m on the path to being a dancer again, but I need your help!

Even before getting injured, I was never a big fan of ballet. Tap, jazz and theater dance were much more up my alley. But my lack of ballet training was always evident in my dancing. I’m convinced that lack of technique was a big contributing factor to my injury.

Since I was starting over again anyway, I decided why not do it the right way this time? I have been going to 2-3 ballet classes a week for almost 3 months now. At first, I forced myself through the ballet with constant reminders of how important it is for me. But as I started to gain back some dancer confidence, and just allow my body to take it all in, it became less of a struggle and more enjoyable.

That part of my brain is starting to defrost a bit, and my dancer muscles are slowly but surely re-engaging. Thankfully, I am starting to feel less like a beginner and more like dance and I are getting reacquainted. 

But even though ballet and I are friendly now, I’m still left wanting more. At this level, ballet class is almost all technique work. I’ve had few opportunities to completely let go. To just be on the dance floor. I guess that’s why I am feeling a constant pull to get back into tap and jazz classes. 

I’ve tried out a few jazz and tap classes in the city, but none of them have felt quite right. Each one teased me with enough moments of excitement and abandon to know that those are the styles I’m meant for. And I have even started to see how the ballet training is already making me into a better dancer than I was before. But even so, they have all been too crowded, too easy, too difficult, or just plain wrong for me.

Dance is no longer my challenge. Now, my challenge is finding the right studio to continue my training. I love my ballet studio. I wish I could take all of my classes there. Unfortunately though, they don’t teach the classes I need. 

The major uptown studios have all the necessary classes, but I am not a fan of the environment. If the classroom is too crowded to extend your leg out fully, then what is the point? I don’t want to pay $15-$18 a class just to mark my way through...

So here is where you all come in. I need your help! Does anyone have recommendations for NYC clean, quality dance studios that offer tap, jazz and theater dance and still have enough room to accommodate their dancers? I am excited about continuing down this path of dance rehab, but I can’t do it without the right tools...

--Rachel F. Hirsch

 

Comments

[Justine]

Hi Rachel, I saw this late. I can't personally vouch, but I've heard good things about this place:

http://broadwaydancecenter.com/

might be worth checking out?

[Rachel F. Hirsch]

Hi Justine. Thanks for the response. I tried BDC recently. It's one of the most well-known and most popular studios around. I guess what I'm looking for though, is something a little more off the beaten path...somewhere far less crowded but still high quality. A friend did recently share with me specific instructors that I should try there, so perhaps that will make a difference. We shall see. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for commenting!

[Ella]

I like Ballet Arts. Its in the City Center studios and only has 1 studio but its BIG, at least compared to the other places I've taken class in the city.
Website: http://www.balart.com

As far as specific instructors, I like Kat Wildish at Ailey Extension. Her classes are crowded sometimes though particularly on the weekends. I've found weekday classes to be less crowded.

[Rachel F. Hirsch]

Wow! Thanks for these great tips, Ella. I didn't know about Ballet Arts, and I have heard good things about Ailey Extension but haven't tried it yet. I will definitely check them out and let you know how it goes. Maybe I'll even see you in class!

Thanks for commenting!
~Rachel