Students at L.A. Dance receive more than quality instruction in a variety of dance styles; they also are instilled with self-confidence, self-esteem and self-discipline.
Director Laura Berger began the dance studio five years ago, and offers instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, clogging, hip-hop, swing and salsa. Her facility at 2651 S. Lapeer Road has two large dance rooms, complete with full wall mirrors, ballet bars and dance marley dance floors.
“We also have windows in the lobby for parental observation without distracting the students,” Berger says, adding that to provide quality instruction, L.A. Dance limits its class sizes to 10 students per class for the preschool classes, and 15 students per class for the kinder classes on up.
“We believe in giving each student personalized instruction to ensure their understanding of the lessons, and to help them achieve their highest goal,” says Berger.
A dancer herself since the age of 3, Berger teaches at the studio and has classes available for ages 3-adult. She says instructors continue to attend workshops to stay current with the latest dance steps and techniques.
Recently, two of the instructors at L.A. Dance went to New York for a dance teacher convention, where they took classes in safeguarding students, musical theater, dance technique, and much more.
The competition teams at L.A. Dance have earned numerous first place awards, including Platinum and Gold medals both in the regional and national level. L.A. Dance won “Top Studio” and “Studio Spirit” awards this past June at a national competition.
Open auditions are held each June for the award-winning teams. Competition teams perform each year at the Oxford and Lake Orion festivals in the summer, and also at Orion Oaks Fine Arts Night.
“We take great pride in our well-organized programs, friendly staff, reasonable rates and overall sense of accomplishment that all our students feel,” Berger says.
Besides quality dance instruction, L.A. Dance also offers quality dance gear, selling: Leotards, tights, shoes, and dance accessories. Snacks and beverages are also sold at the studio for the convenience of the customers. Class times vary, with plenty of evening hours to accommodate students who are in school during the day.
Summer session at L.A. Dance begins in June and runs for six weeks. The fall session begins in September and runs through the end of May. The annual recital, held at Lake Orion High School’s Performing Arts Center, is on June 7. The public is welcome to attend; please call the studio for ticket information.
Registration for summer and fall sessions begins in May. L.A. Dance is located at 2651 S. Lapeer, in the Palace Pointe shopping plaza. Call (248) 393-1339 for more information, or fax to (248) 814-8898. The e-mail address is ladance329@yahoo.com.