Business & Tech
New Dance Studio has Youths On the Move
The excitement builds as a new dance studio, "Dance Extreme Academy" fills a need in Trinity
Darlene Jones, who home schools her daughter, realized that her little girl, Brooke, loved dance and acrobatic classes. So dance played a major role in her curriculum.
Jones had a friend, Julie Walek, who's daughter, Haylee, also loved dance. Walek was dancing since she was 3 years old and has been choreographing dance routines for three years now. A new venture began to take shape as Jones, who had a background in business, and Walek, with a background in dance, decided to "take the leap".
Jones and Walek found a perfect location at 1645 Davenport Drive in Trinity and, on January 15, 2011, opened Dance Extreme Academy. And it seems they've tapped into the community's love of dance! As of mid-March the studio already has 67 students. Their students have already been winners in two competitions. The Tampa International Dance Challenge yielded dancers from the academy a platinum, 3 golds, a high gold and an overall high score. For the Headliners Challenge, students received an overall high score and a Miss Petite Headliners award.
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The modalities being taught at the academy are ballet, tap, acrobatics, musical theater, hip-hop, Zumba and specialty dance. Specialty dance might be a Hawaiian hula one week, Bollywood the next and ballroom dancing another week. Parents have the opportunity to observe their children in action, either on a screen, or through a viewing window. In April, a new ballroom dancing class for adults will be available on Thursdays.
The show, "Dancing With the Stars" has made a big impact on society, Walek said. This is good since dancing is wonderful exercise. It's great for our kids since it builds confidence and a teamwork ethic, she said. Both Jones and Walek agree on how being involved in dance also builds lifelong friendships.
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On April 9th, Dance Extreme Academy has invited Kentrell Newton, of the Swagger crew from MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew," to teach a class. The beginner class will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the advanced class will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. Pre-registration for the class is $25.00 and will save a participant up to $10.
It seems that America is dancing, and Dance Extreme Academy is making it a wonderful experience in West Pasco.
