Dance studio keeps students in step virtually

By: 
Staff report

Allison’s Dance Academy has taken their class offerings online. Instructor Katherine Karolczak teaches a class.

Submitted photo

Over the last several weeks, everything from local classrooms and business meetings have moved online. But they aren’t the only ones who’ve found a new way to conduct business.

Brandon-based Allison’s Dance Academy has also moved to an online model to deliver dance classes to youth and adults.

“This is a way to help maintain some normalcy and structure in children’s lives,” said Allison Porter, owner of Allison’s Dance Academy. “Online dance classes are keeping students physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. They’re giving kids a sense of connection and community at a time when they aren’t seeing their friends.”

Allison’s Dance Academy began using a combination of Google Classroom and Zoom to allow instructors to teach live classes in a format that allows the instructor and students to see one another. Instructors can then teach movement and technique and provide corrections to students, just as they would in an in-person class.

“Parents and students love it,” said Porter. “Parents are also telling us it gives them a block of time during the day to regroup – to have a few minutes to themselves to make dinner, get a little work done or just breathe.”

Porter developed the format with More Than Just Great Dancing, a licensed affiliation of dance studios around the world that subscribe to a higher standard of dance instruction and management principles. MTJGD is committed to providing more than just excellent dance instruction, going beyond technique to help students develop important life skills, like respect, confidence and diligence.

“Now, with our online classes during a tough time in the world, we’re showing students firsthand what it means to be resilient,” said Porter.

Allison’s Dance Academy has four locations: Brandon and Beresford, and Rock Rapids and Rock Valley, Iowa. ADA first opened in Brandon in 2007 and now serves over 200 students and families with its class offerings of ballet, jazz, musical theatre, tap, hip hop and gymnastics for boys and girls of all ages.

 

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The Brandon Valley Journal

 

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