You can’t just walk into a dance studio in Portland.
It’s a big deal.
And you’re better off with a dance company than without.
That’s why you should definitely take a look at a local dance studio and learn more about what they offer.
Here are six reasons why you need to check out a local studio.
1.
It can provide you with a better environment.
Because you can’t get to Portland without walking, a dance club offers a perfect venue to learn how to dance.
It also gives you the opportunity to do your homework.
With a local venue, you’re able to focus on what you need and where you need it most.
“When we do a dance class in a city, we go to a local restaurant and talk about what’s in our menu, and then we go out and we dance and talk to people and go to events,” said Jennifer St. Martin, founder of the Portland Dance Company.
“It’s really a great way to learn about the city and get to know other people.”
You might even get to meet some new people who will help you out.
If you’re looking to get into the business of dance, consider working with a local dancer or two, because they can make your dance experience even more fun.
2.
They’re affordable.
“The cheaper the better,” said St. Mark, a member of the Seattle Dance Company and a certified instructor at Portland Dance Studios.
“They’re all very accessible.
If I can make my students go to another dance studio for a few dollars, I’m all for it.
If not, I have a way to go to get them there for free.”
St. Marks own dance studio was in a part of Seattle where they were able to offer their classes to a wider audience.
“We’ve been doing it for 10 years now, so we have a good relationship with the community,” said a smiling St. Matts owner.
“People come from all over, and they can really learn to do dance with people from all different backgrounds.”
3.
They offer affordable prices.
Portland Dance Studio is a local company that does dance classes on the weekends and other special events.
That means if you want to learn dance at a lower price, they’re one of the best places to start.
“There’s a lot of options out there,” said one of St. Mains owner’s co-founder.
“You could go to some other clubs and they’re going to charge you more for the same dance class.
But if you’re doing it yourself, you know, the cost per hour is a little bit cheaper.”
4.
They’ve got an amazing dance crew.
Because of the high demand for dance lessons, Portland Dance studios offers a wide variety of dance styles, and it’s all up to the class.
“For a beginner, the classes are really fun, and you can really get into something without going to a studio,” said Michelle St. Michael, who runs Portland Dance Classes.
“Once you get a little more experienced, they’ve got more advanced classes, and there are other classes that aren’t available.”
Stocks instructor, who teaches dance at the Portland Arts Academy, said she loves the opportunity for new students to be able to work with her, and get a taste of the more advanced skills.
“I really want them to understand the basics and how to move and all of that,” she said.
“In a class like that, it’s really fun.
I love the way they approach it.”
5.
It doesn’t hurt to get some extra practice.
If your students aren’t yet confident with their moves, you can help them with a couple of things.
“At Portland Dance, we really focus on having the classes be a fun experience,” said another instructor, Maddy Hargreaves.
“Because if you can get them to practice, then you know that they can get a better sense of where they are.”
When you’re ready to start, take the time to make sure your class is running smoothly.
St. Matthew is the most experienced instructor at the dance studio.
“If it’s just one lesson, I’d suggest giving it to the first couple of students, because I don’t want them learning to dance on their own.
But the more you do, the more confident they’ll get,” said Hargres.
You can also get more experienced instructors to help you get started.
“All the classes we do are full-on,” said Dr. Hargrees instructor, Emily Johnson.
“So if you need more time, just ask the instructor for a half-hour, and she’ll do the half-hours.
We have an instructor who is really good at teaching, and we have an artist that is really great at drawing and painting, and all those kinds of things.”
6.
It has the best prices.
Because Portland Dance is a small company, it also has one of its