Had the privilege of seeing many shows from this great company. They have a unique way of bringing stories to stage using only movement. Great job!
Started classes here as an adult and I absolutely love it. The teachers are fun and great. Such a fun surprise in the heart of the Saint Paul community.
Love watching my dancers grow, gain friends, and feel more confident. They have so much fun while working hard. Love Limb and everything they give to the community.
My home away from home!! I love Out On A Limb with my whole heart and will forever cherish my family here
Love the classes and the environment. Very inclusive of every single person who wants the chance to dance.
We are new to OOAL, this past year and a half. We absolutely love it, the teachers, students, and families are all great.
There is no other dance organization out there quite like Out on a Limb. They strive to bring dance within everyone’s reach and successfully do that year after year through both their class offerings and the performances they share with the local community. It’s rare to find organizations these days that care more about the people they’re impacting than the money they’re making, but Out on a Limb is doing just that. I am forever grateful for all all they have poured into me and allowed me to experience throughout the years.
This is such a great place. Everyone is so nice and it really feels like a community; one in which all the dancers are a part of. My wife and kids go here and enjoy the classes, teachers, peers, and ambiance. I highly recommend the studio to dancers if all walks of life - both new to dancing and seasoned veterans.
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OOAL is such a great place for all dancers; new and seasoned. My wife loves it. She took our oldest son as soon as he was old enough and now he loves it. Then our second son started and he too loves it. Everyone is so welcoming and caring. It’s like a second family. All of the teachers, students, and volunteers are all passionate about dance and it shows. It truly is a great place. I highly recommend OOAL.
We were so excited to find Out On A Limb when my little wanted to start dance! Their mission of bringing dance to everyone is incredible and they follow through with that promise! The entire team there is like having family away from home! They welcomed us with open arms and I even ended up taking adult ballet classes myself! The focus on dance vs. costuming, competition, and money was key in making the decision on which school we landed on, and OOAL does not disappoint! They are also incredibly welcoming of all diverse families and body types! I have nothing but the highest praise for the studio!
Out On A Limb is the only studio our family will ever be a part of! The mission of making dance accessible to all isn’t just a nice thing they say, it’s truly how they operate. It’s an incredibly encouraging and safe place for dancers of every size/race/ability/age to learn and grow!
When we moved to Minnesota and our oldest wanted to dance, we visited Out on a Limb and I can still remember that day. It was truly welcoming and so different from another dance studio we visited. Our son had a home away from home for 5 years and spent countless hours a week there with his friends. The next thing you know, I (who never took dance lessons as a kid!) started taking adult tap classes and am continuing after our son left for college. Limb is a place that provides a safe place where all of us can be who we are and feel loved. There's a special bond among all Limb family members.
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The Limb is a very special place. Our son started to dance there 5 years ago when we moved to the Twin Cities. They've offered a nurturing place where he can be himself with peers and teachers that unconditionally love and support him. It's been delightful to see him and his peers grow as dancers, too. What's been even special is that the Limb family includes all families and friends of these dancers. I have appreciated all the interactions with the other families. Every time I'm in the studio, I soak up the love. And I'm learning how to dance (tap) for the first time as an adult. So fun!!
When we walked through the Out on a Limb studio doors four years ago we had no idea how special the community that we would find there would become to us! Our daughter had been begging to take dance so we went looking for a place that would be performing arts based, body positive, nurturing, and have some kind of scholarships available due to a rough season we were in. Little did we know our lives were bound to become even more challenging when our second born child faced a host of serious medical complications and frequent hospitalizations, but through it all, OOAL was a constant, safe, and supportive space for our oldest that provided a much needed respite from everything going on outside. There was always space for us there. Our little warrior is doing well and now has so much joy following in big sisters footsteps with camps and classes at out on a limb-in fact, our family has grown in the last four years and now there are three kiddos (and a parent) who have had the pleasure of taking classes there. We would’ve had to given up dance long ago at any other studio and have been so fortunate to have found on a limb because the support we’ve received there goes far beyond dance education- they are like family. We are so grateful for everything the studio is to our family!
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Out on a Limb is a community like no other! My middle kiddo has been in and out of the hospital 13 times in her 2.5 years of life and had 7 neurosurgeries to date and they have gone above and beyond to support our family. It has been a place of stability and consistency for my oldest and a place where all of us have always known it’s okay to be exactly where we are at. At any other studio we would’ve had to cut dance out long ago due to the financial implications of an ongoing medical crises but they have always held space for both my oldest, and now the neurosurgery warrior in the extensions program. It is a place where my kiddos can be normal and that we know we can always count on. OOAL truly functions like a (healthy)family and genuinely creates space where everyone is welcome.
I could not be more thankful to be a part of Out on a Limb Dance Company. It is truly a family! OOAL cares about their dancers as…well…dancers, but also as people. Ever since I joined OOAL in 2014, I have felt nothing but love from all the teachers and staff. And now I’m a teacher myself! I can’t say enough amazing things about this organization!
I love my classes and teachers at OOAL. The kids are nice, the families are nice, and Miss Carina is amazing.
I began my dance journey at out on a limb and I’ve never felt more at home! The studio is always filled with amazing staff that make you feel like you are a part of a family! I love continuing to dance at out on a limb!
I am so grateful To be apart of Out on a Limb. Everyone has been so welcoming and kind towards me. I feel my passion, purpose and joy is coming back. I love exploring and expanding my talents. This place is such a bright light in this dark world.
As others have written: this place is home in the truest, most loving sense. I'm grateful to Kim Martinez and the Board for their constant support and acceptance, both for myself as a dancer /teacher and for my children. I'm excited that they will get to grow up with the top-notch teaching staff and choreographers, opportunities for professional performances, and the warm, accepting environment that is Limb. We couldn't be happier that this is our dance family.
My daughter and I both dance at Out on a Limb and it has been a positive experience for both of us. It has been a joy to watch my daughter grow from the cute 5 year old to a beautiful talented teenager on stage. She has been able to progress at her own pace in a non competitive environment and make great friends along the way.
Out on a Limb has given my grandchildren endless joy!!! The teachers are amazing and the opportunities to perform are many. I love this place and they are a part of our family.
Out on a Limb is a uniquely wonderful performing arts organization: providing both high quality instruction and creative guidance, as well as a community of support and encouragement for ALL who step through their doors. As a teaching artist in the Twin Cities, I have spent a lot of time in various dance studios and school environments, and I can say without hesitation that Out on a Limb's mission and training are special (and very much needed in this field at this time!). I feel lucky to have been invited into this family of talented and compassionate artists, and I can't wait to see what the next decade brings for this beautiful organization!
Not only does Out on a limb provide great training but it is a great place to grow up with amazing people and teachers. I have never not felt supported whether it was by my dance friends or mentors.
We love Out on a Limb and are so honored to be part of this wonderful family! We had tried other dance studios before landing at Out on a Limb but they were not great environments for our kiddo. We LOVE the mission, vision, and love that is Out on a Limb! Our whole family takes classes there now!
Let’s hear it for OOAL! I danced here , when they were just starting out. It was so great to be apart of this dance community. They have an incredible mission, surrounded by supportive teachers and staff. They’re amazing!
This place is what LOVE embodied looks like, as a school of dance. They prioritize community and making people feel included, and I’m grateful to call this place home.
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I have been both a student and teacher at Out of a Limb, and I love this place! I felt very supported as a student, and now as a teacher get to continue that work with my own dancers. I cannot imagine growing up anywhere else!
Amazing teachers who really love your child and believe in their ability! Out on a limb offers quality training in a loving non-competitive atmosphere. All are truly welcomed with open arms.
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This is definitely a community that turns into family. This is where I grew up and left to venture in other areas. When I had my own I found my way home. They welcomed me with open arms as though I never left. The picture is one of the many opportunities I've had to perform on stage next to my mini. I have watched her grow not just through technique, but also into a young lady with responsibility and confidence with the help of OOAL Staff and Students!
I have been dancing at Out on a Limb for twelve years now, and I have loved my entire experience! It is such a welcoming environment and the teachers and staff are all so supportive. OOAL is my family❤️
I spent over a decade dancing with these amazing, talented souls and I owe so much to them. This Company truly is a second home and a place I looked forward to coming to every single day.
It’s an amazing place to call dance home. The training and productions are awe inspiring. OOAL is a place for dance magic! For dancers and audiences alike!
Out On A Limb enriches the lives of everyone who comes in contact with them. From the toddler learning his first somersault, the tap dancer who has come from shuffle ball step and solos for the first time a few years later to the professional choreographers and dancers who perform and contribute their talents and expertise. Performances are reimagined favorite popular shows to original works that transport you into fantasyland for a moment. This organization touches thousands of kids through the free performances that ignite young imaginations into believing they can make their dreams come true. Being part of Out On A Limb makes me feel I’m putting positivity out into the world.
The members of this organization raised me as a performing artist since the age of 8. The Out on a Limb organization provides an environment where any child and adult can express their passion for dance through classes and performance. This is a one of a kind of place.
An amazing and supportive atmosphere for dancers of all ages and levels. With an emphasis on inclusion, this place offers dancers a place to be themselves.
This is home away from home for my girls. The encouragement and support they receive and friendships they have made are priceless. We are blessed to have found this studio when we moved to the Cities, and I know there are so many more exciting adventures and opportunities to come.
I am a dancer and my children have grown up in the theater. I first found Out On A limb when searching for a dance studio for my oldest child when she asked if she could take dance classes herself at the age 4. Soon afterwards I realized that we had struck gold. 11 years later, all three of my children are dancing there and they are surrounded by a strong and supportive dance family. They are learning to love the art of dance and they are also learning to be wonderful role models for the young dancers and students following in their footsteps.
I’ve had a great experience all 7 years I’ve been at Out on a Limb! It’s like a family with supportive teachers and incredible dancers!
Out on a Limb is a dance company AND a family. After dancing at other studios for 15 years, I was welcomed with open arms at OOAL. I’ve been dancing with OOAL for 4 years now and I wish I would have found this incredible dance company sooner. I have made life long friends and mentors! OOAL sparks my passion for dance over and over again. I can’t say enough good things about this company!
I was certainly one of those people who was lucky enough to have Out on a Limb fall into my life. Circa 2006, I had recently graduated from high school, and subsequently graduated from 15+ years of time in a competitive dance studio. I wanted to keep dancing, but was not sure how to transition from the "learn a dance", perform it for competition, do the recital, etc. lifestyle. Mix that with starting college, and I wasn't sure if dance was part of my future. OOAL 100% changed how I saw dance. I slowly became a better performer, technician and found the joy that I had long been missing. There is a definite paucity of opportunities for young adults in the Twin Cities outside of majoring in dance, or diving into a contract. I fully appreciate that OOAL has been flexible with me, allowing me to have more or less involvement based on my career, life, injuries and needs without berating or repercussions. This is truly a community that I am so lucky to have. The above doesn't even start to do justice to what OOAL brings to the community at large or the younger people who walk through the doors. Inclusive, nurturing, age-appropriate, flexible, humble, loving, multi generational and creative come to mind.
Out on a Limb is an exceptional dance studio for students of ALL ages and abilities! They have allowed both of my daughters to thrive in a safe, supportive, encouraging, and challenging environment. Both girls have developed into fantastic dancers, but more importantly have been given the chance to learn to choreograph, advocate for themselves, and nurture friendships with others who truly love the art of dance. There is no other dance studio like Out on a Limb!
I have been lucky enough to dance with Out on a Limb (OOAL) for the majority of my life- about 14 years. When I couldn't afford to study dance at any other studio, the incredible staff at limb took me in and provided me with opportunities that have led to where I am today. I am currently a dance major at the University and still come back to OOAL whenever I can.
Limb is not just any studio, it is a community and a family. They do amazing work and there is no other experience equal to their student shows in the winter. Each winter they bring in students from local schools to see our performances for free. A lot of people see these shows as most beneficial to the children seeing them, but I strongly believe that the kids and staff performing on stage are getting just as great of an experience. Being on stage with hundreds of kids yelling, laughing, and cheering you on is unlike anything else.
Excuse my long response, but my love for this company is unparalleled. When I loose sight of my passion for dance or feel uninspired, I can always come back to OOAL and find it again.
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First of all, I have been dancing with Out on a Limb for about 10 years now and I would never want to change that. OOAL is not only a place where I can be myself and express who I am, it is also a home and the people there are my family. The teachers at OOAL are teaching me something that I love, and they have made it possible for me to follow my passion where I would not be able to anywhere else. The support and love I have been given from the students, teachers, (and company members), is remarkable. This company will forever be part of my life and forever be in my heart.
We love Out on a Limb! Our son and daughter take tap, jazz, ballet, acro and hip hop classes at OOAL. They have grown so much in their dance and their ability to tell a story through dance. My son says that he loves that the teachers are open to new ideas and that if you make a mistake they help you fix it. My daughter says that the teachers are nice and they teach me many things and if you don't understand something they work with you to help you fix it. We like that OOAL includes everyone at all levels. It is a safe place to explore dance.
OOAL is our dance home! All of the staff and dancers nurture our daughters' positive self-esteem and quest for dance excellence. All dancers experience top-notch dance teaching and superior public dance performances. We are never leaving OOAL!
I have been dancing at Out on a Limb for five years now and when I look back on the years, i don't think there was ever a time where I felt disconnected from the community. Whenever I needed something someone was there to help me and I am very grateful for that. I am also very thankful for OOAL's scholarship program because without it I would not be able to afford my dance training. Lastly thank you to all of the members of the board who made Out on a Limb what it is today!
It began with my 5 year old wanting to take a dance class. We soon learned, that Out on a Limb is more than a place for lessons, they are a family of dancers who seek to bring out the dancer in us all. Dance has become a passion, a driving force for my daughter. And, we are grateful for the tremendous support we've received from her 2nd family at Out on a Limb.
We've been going to Out on a Limb for about 4 years. It was recommended to us by a friend who knew we were unhappy with another studio. The other studio was expensive, there was almost no community building and the teachers, while good, just went from one class to another without any real connection to the parents. Our experience at OOAL was immediately different. It is very much like family. The level of support our daughter gets is phenomenal. The dancers are quite supportive of each other and the older, more experienced dancers do take time to encourage the younger ones. The instructors and staff are so flexible and welcoming; I just can't say enough. In addition to a very warm and welcoming atmosphere, the instructors are top notch; my daughter has learned and progressed so much.
My daughters had such a positive, formative experience while attending classes at Out on a Limb. My older daughter had attended classes at other schools prior, she would become frustrated with the repetition needed to develop discipline and ask to quit. The teachers at Out on a Limb create a learning environment where students support each other to do their best, regardless of difference in ability. This promoted persistence and belief in themselves, crossing over to other areas of their lives.
I love watching the shows. They're both fun and inspiring to watch.
This school also had an opportunity for me to get back in to dance as an adult, and it was a wonderful experience!
Out On a Limb provided my sister and I with a loving home and family when life was extremely difficult. They supported us and helped us grow with compassion and creativity. Not only were they accepting of our (literal) poor circumstances, but they also extended their love and support to our father, who had trouble maintaining a job due to mental health issues. They truly encourage a sense of community among all of their dancers and their families. OOAL is a beautiful place full of genuinely kind people!
Out on a Limb is an absolutely affirming and welcoming place for every child and person. I was looking for a dance studio that was low pressure, body affirming, with kind teachers, and a friendly environment, and that is EXACTLY what I found in Out on a Limb. As Amber stated at the recital this spring, Every BODY can dance and they really live and breathe that philosophy. My daughter started at age 3 and she's loved it! Bonus, they even have volunteers that make the costumes for recitals so there are no extra fees. I love that it's a non profit and their goal is to make dance accessible to all. Their mission makes the dance studio a truly beautiful place for everyone!
Out On A Limb Dance Company & School has given my daughter a place to shine and show her true spirit. The staff at OOAL inspire young dancers to not only celebrate dance but to be engaged citizens in their community and to treat each other with kindness and respect. OOAL truly lives the mission that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE can dance. This dance studio makes it possible for every BODY to live to their full potential through dance. I am truly fortunate to have found such a wonderful studio for my young daughter. I will shout it to the world that OOAL is the most amazing dance studio I have ever been a part of and it has become a second family to our family. Thank you OOAL for all you do!
Out on a Limb is a great place for students who want to learn to dance well while also gaining a love of dance. The environment is positive (kid positive, body positive, dancer positive, parent positive) and supportive. The instruction is also thoughtful and well-balanced between the art of dance and the craft of dance. The shows they stage are beautiful and expressive but also allow students of every age a chance to participate. Our family has been connected to OOAL for more than ten years, and the experience has meant a tremendous amount to all of us.
My daughter & granddaughter currently dance with Out On A Limb, and this fall another granddaughter will be joining them. As I have taken my granddaughter to rehearsals, been to recitals & other spectacular performances, I have learned the most beautiful philosophy behind Out On A Limb: That ALL should be given the opportunity to dance!!!
Having always had a love for all things 'dance' this makes my heart happy. At Out On A Limb, it's not about the prettiest tutu, the best photographer, the chachka to purchase or glamorous sets. It's ALL about the girls/boys, women/men and their desire to dance.
Out On A Limb goes out of their way to give everyone a chance to participate by offering free classes on occasion & going into areas that may not have such programs and offering workshops. They also open the performances up to others that may never experience the joy of live shows by performing at alternative venues such as a mall.
As if this was not all enough, I will close with my favorite piece of Out On A Limb, their humility. They do not put on a show of Glitz & Glam. They hold up to the light their DANCERS. By not making it about expensive costumes or training clones to compete, you see & notice each unique & beautiful dancer; their character, their smile, their technique, their beauty & grace.
Affording this gift to all is priceless, & if I'm honest I can barely leave a rehearsal without a tear in my eye, for this kind dedication. Sue Ann Laier
Our son fell in love with dance because of the environment created at Out on A Limb. We were encouraged to join the family by our friends and we continue to encourage our friends to do the same.
I absolutely love the mission of the dance school. My daughter is young and I was looking for some place open and accepting that really cares about the group dynamic of the dancers first. We have had really wonderful teachers and you can tell they put their students and parents first on their priority list.
Wonderful dance school! My daughter started out taking summer classes and loved it so much that she joined the Performing Arts Ensemble that Fall and danced 4 days per week. She has grown so much as a dancer and as a person. OOAL focuses on performance dance, not competition. She has made lifelong friends!
I am a professional dancer in the Twin Cities who has worked in NYC and in regional theaters across the country. I am also a product of Out on a Limb Dance Company. The two pillars of the organization, Kim Martinez and Amber Erling Keeley create an atmosphere of support and excellence that students and families are drawn to. Beyond that, the fundamentals and skills students learn while participating directly relate to the demands of the professional world. I would not be the success I am today without the influence Out on a Limb has had on my life.
We love everything about Out on a Limb. Great instructors, excellent technique, supportive environment. My favorite part though is the constant commitment by everyone in the studio that all bodies and people can be dancers. It is just breathtaking to watch
My daughter is a student here currently and absolutely loves it. The teachers are wonderful, it a welcoming and warm place. Every one seems to be very supportive of each other with none of the competitive nonsense I have seen with other dance schools. It's just such a unique place and the dancers are all very well trained. We love it and plan on continuing here for many years.
I have known the people who started this Dance company/school since inception and this is the school wherever everyone can dance and shine. I know several dancers and it is a little village. This is the place you want YOUR child to experience any type of creative movement.
OOAL is an EXCEPTIONAL place to dance, learn and grow. I have always felt welcome and a part of something larger. OOAL puts on shows with auditions open to the public. That means anyone, regardless of experience, is welcome.
My daughter has been a student at OOAL for a number of years now, and may very well be on to a career in dance. Limb is her 2nd home. The environment there is incredibly positive and student-focused. They put the students' personal growth first, pure and simple. No politics (that I see or hear), no drama, just a group of people that really care about the kids. Along with their classes, they offer great performance opportunities throughout the year. OOAL is not just a business or studio, its a "cause" that everyone enjoys being part of!
Out on a Limb Dance Company and School is an organization that serves the community on many different levels. One of the most amazing experiences as one of the founders and Board vice president of Out on a Limb, is raising the money to bring in thousands of school children to come and see our shows for free. It is an experience that drops me to my knees year after year. Seeing a full auditorium of children so delighted to see a show that is put on for them is life-changing. In my heart I also know that it is life-changing for them as well. I also feel it is a life-changing experience for those that come dance with us. We are inclusive. There are so many great things that Out on a Limb Dance Company and School offers its dancers, teachers and audiences. It is all done out of the love in our hearts by wanting to bring a positive, fun, artistic outlet to those involved in the company and school, and to those that come see our shows. If you want to dance, come dance with us.
OOAL truly lives up to its mission of ensuring that dance is within everyone's reach. From its scholarships to public student performances to accepting students of all abilities, OOAL inspires everyone to open themselves up to the beauty of dance. OOAL is so much more than a dance studio; it is a creative, inspirational community of staff and students who support each other's growth as dancers and people. My daughter has been dancing there for four years and it has honestly changed her life; she now attends a high school for performing artists. We are SO lucky to have found OOAL!
My daughters have taken dance and karate at OOAL for over 3 years. We came on the recommendation of an old friend and we are not only thrilled with the quality of the program, we are PROUD to have the privilege of working with Kim, Amber, Sarah, Allie and all of the others great people at OOAL. The high quality, low pressure, anti-hootchie-mama environment was just what we were looking for--and that was just the beginning.
My son has been dancing at OoaL Dance Studios for going on 10 years. Their mission and, more importantly, their execution to bring dance to everyone regardless of age, ability or social status is very impressive. The love and support they offer their students would best be described as a family type atmosphere. Everyone, student and faculty alike, encourages creativity, acceptance, and cooperation. I appreciate everything they have done for my son and believe OoaL has been a major influence in him becoming the thoughtful man he is today.
I have been teaching at OOAL for several years now and I absolutely 100% love it here. I think the dancers here are encouraged to grow with alot of love and support. The creativity here is brilliant. I adore the kids and staff and feel like it is one big family.
My 7 year old has been dancing at Out on a Limb for going on 3 years, starting as a preschooler. We fell into this studio because of it's location initially. But knowing what I know now about other dance studios, I feel like we won the dance studio lottery! This is such a nurturing environment bringing joy to movement for any and all. I cannot say enough about the staff and their approach. I love how the kids encourage each other and it's non-competitive. I've never seen an age inappropriate costume on a child there.
Where do I begin? After 3 different dance studios, I didn't even know what I was looking for, until Out On A Limb fell in our lap. The healthy environment is created from the top down. Our family values mesh beautifully with this entire studio. I have a 7th grade daughter and for 5 years she has always come home happy from dance. As a result, their shows beam with pride and a love for dance. Outstanding life lessons are being taught and I'm incredibly grateful that she is so appreciated by her instructors and fellow dancers. What a blessing.
I was a student of Amber Keeley's at another dance studio when I was very young, and when she left with a group of dancers and teachers to begin Out on a Limb, I was heartbroken. I followed them to a little studio on Como Avenue and found myself in a beautiful, loving, supportive environment where dance is not a competition, but an art, and an individual process. Since then, they have moved into a beautiful space on Larpenteur, and every year they perform for thousands of schoolchildren, exposing the world to dance in ways that I have always admired. Out on a Limb, if I could describe it in one word-- the experience, the company, the growth that I have received as a person and a dancer-- is family. They are a lovely group of people and I am blessed to have known them.
My daughter wanted to dance. We were at a school auction and saw 6 weeks of dance lessons. So I bid. That was 6 years ago. My daughter always wants to do her best and succeed. At Out on a Limb she can do that without the pressure of competition. The students are like a family. They work together to assist each other to be their best. They encourage each other. She has learned so much. She has poise, confidence and grace that goes into her daily life.
I found out about Out on a Limb Dance Company from a former student of mine at the U of M. She had mentioned that she was a dancer, and I bemoaned the fact that I could not find a dance school that didn't overemphasize competition and/or the more egregious beauty pageant aspects of dance. My older daughter had been at two studios already and really just wanted to learn to dance, not simply learn ONE specific dance for a specific show and then spend hundreds of dollars on costumes and shoes for the occasion. Out on a Limb focuses on dance skills and dance performance as cooperation, not as competition. The instructors offer instruction to all the students wherever they are in their dance process, with whatever bodies they have for dancing (and stage acrobatics!) It is a healthy and nurturing environment for dancers. Both of my daughters dance there, both in weekly classes, as well as the more public ballet the school mounts every spring (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, March 1,2,3, 2012. Don't miss it!) I have been privileged enough to be able to offer my skills in costume design and production for a few shows, and it has been very rewarding for me as well as my children. This dance school is such an asset to our community!