Looking for a FABULOUS Dance Studio in McKinney

First - you need to have realistic expectations of what a 3 yr old can do. Most recitals for this age are terrible (in the cutest sense of the word) because at this age they simply do not have the gross motor or memorization skills to complete a recital in any degree of perfection.

Having said that I agree you want your child to go somewhere that they are teaching proper form and technique. My just turned 4 yr old completed her first year of ballet at THE DANCE MOVEMENT. While it was the cutest thing I ever saw. (How could it not be it is YOUR kid), it was also very far from perfect. In my personal opinion ALL recitals are highway robbery.

Having said all that - The Dance Movement is located at the corners of Plano, McKinney and Allen at Custer and 121. The owner Lori, was a professional dancer and all her instructors are trained professionals many of whom are now mommy's themselves. I highly recommend them. My 6 yr old also took ballet from them.

Do yourself a favor and tell yourself this is for fun and gross motor skill development - not prima ballerrina training- and you will have a much happier experience.

Good luck.

M.

S.,

Hi! Sounds like we have a lot in common! I have 3 children- a teenager, 3 year old daughter and 16 month old son. And, I am trying to run a business and keep my sanity! :) We just registered our daughter for a ballet/gymnastics class at The Dance Movement. The studio is located on Custer down from 121. I have several friends who have daughters that are taking classes there now and they love it. They offer a trial class, so you could take one class to see how your daughter likes it. Our daughter, Reese, will be starting classes in September. Hope this info. has helped! Take Care-L. :)

Check out Dance Arts Center (used to be Joan Martin Dance)in Mckinney. They are at the Community Center on Tues, Thurs and Saturdays. They have been there for over 50 years (Joan passed away last year) and her daughter LouAnn and her dad Perry are carrying on. I have been with them for 33 years (since I was in 2nd grade, I started helping in 8th and taught with them also) and my DD has been there for 5 years (she started when she was 2). We are taking a year off because of cheerleading being on Saturday and just couldn't do both but Amee has learned so much in the years she's been there. They are very loving and teach the right techniques. I agree that at the age of your child you just hope they sing and move their feet but they will be learning it somewhere in their minds. They offer a combination class of tap, ballet and jazz, so if you want her to take all three, you don't have to do more than 1 class (and also get more for your money. 1 costume for 3 routines). I do know they are having registration this Saturday, 15th, at the Community Center, usually from 10:30-2:30, but you might call or check out the websites to check. They will have a DVD of last years recital going so if you want to watch first, you can. www.danceartscenter.net or the city of Mckinney's park and rec web-site. Hope this helps!

we too go to The Dance Movement and LOVE it. The environment is great, the kids get to be kids but the training is still very high level with high expectations from the children. The teachers are loving, know their students by name and are always smiling.

The company there is award winning yet, it's not a studio that asks children to spend 20 hours a week training. It's a good middle of the road for my daughters. Plus, the environment is a great one. They always choose modest costumes too, which is a plus for me.

We love The Dance Movement ... it is located just south of 121 on Custer (not a McKinney address, but close enough). They have everything you are looking for ... incredibly talented teachers, great instruction, fabulous companies. You can check out their website at thedancemovement.com. Fall classes begin next week.

I was also in search of a new dance academy for my little girl...it seems the overwhelming response i got was about the McKinney Dance Academy....that's where we're going check out. www.mdari.com and I believe ###-###-####...Good Luck, maybe we'll see you there!