Children should be exposed to physical activity and exercise at an early age. Studies have shown that young children learn more effectively through repetition; a tool implemented in programs specially designed for the youngest dancers. As children age and their muscles develop, engaging in athletic activities will help maintain strong, healthy bodies. Dancing promotes coordination, flexibility, strength, and stamina while improving memory and teaching grace, self-discipline, confidence and poise. Dance offers children an arena to be recognized and praised for their individuality. This opportunity is invaluable in today’s society, where so much pressure is placed on being ‘just like everyone else.’

Pre-adolescence and adolescence can prove to be a challenging time in a young person’s life. In being surrounded by positive role models other than their parents, children have another respected adult in their life to address concerns, challenges and obstacles with. Dance Educators often spend several hours a day over several days a week with teens, making them instrumental in shaping a young adult’s identity. Several performance opportunities throughout a dancer’s training contribute to the development of positive self-esteem and confidence.

Through dance, children learn to accept constructive criticism from their instructors, fellow dancers and industry professionals, to work cooperatively with peers of all ages, and to build solid relationships with classmates and other members of their dance community on a regular basis. Often students work cooperatively in groups, whether rehearsing choreography, helping to demonstrate or assist in class, or while participating in group dances, such as duets, trios and quartets, as well as small and large group productions. In the world of competitive dancing, groups of students on competition and performance teams may travel out of town or state for competitions and conventions. Dancers can spend several weeks away from home with one another, which creates more of a family atmosphere between the students. Tight-knit communities are formed within a dance studio, and often times, you will find that children become closer with their ‘dance friends’ than their ‘school friends’.

While most children learn a foreign language when they begin formal education, dancers as young as two years of age begin to learn classical ballet terminology, which stems from the French language. In addition, children who study dance will develop a strong sense of musicality and rhythmic training by learning to count the meter and measures of classical and contemporary music alike. Dancers who train at more well-rounded facilities should also have knowledge of the history of dance and key choreographers, companies and performances that have shaped the world of dance.

Training at The Next Step Dance Academy will contribute significantly to the development of the whole child in a healthy, positive learning environment. Our instructors have a combined total of nearly 50 years of experience as dance educators- something they take pride in at their young age. All instructors have continued their education at the collegiate level, providing them with a more broad knowledge of dance history, anatomy, music theory, and a wealth of knowledge in other subjects in addition to their technical dance training. As well, they have insight to the college application and audition process, which enables them to better guide their students toward choosing the right path for their college education. In fact, Julie is only one of two dance studio directors in the area with a college degree in dance!

We understand that there are many dance studios to choose from in the Monmouth/Ocean County area. We take pride in the family atmosphere we have created here. Our students enjoy spending time together both inside and outside of the studio, and we have the most wonderful, supportive parents. At The Next Step Dance Academy, you have a name, you are not just a number.  We value each and every family that comes into our studio.

Initially, children are grouped together based on their age range. However, students who have more or less training will be placed in a level that corresponds to their ability level. Because there is no set curriculum for dance education, not all students learn the same material in their places of study. Students who join The Next Step Dance Academy coming from another studio will be placed in trial classes in each discipline. Most times they are placed correctly; however it is important to remember that students sometimes take several weeks in a new environment to flourish. We ask for a maximum of one month to properly place your child in a level best suited for them. Because each teacher’s style varies, the number of years a dancer has trained are considered, however they are not the deciding factor when placing your child in their appropriate level. We are confident in our ability to treat each student as an individual and provide them with the tools they need to become the best dancer they can be. Adding Technique Classes to your schedule may help your child progress at a faster rate, as repetition is a wonderful learning tool.

At The Next Step Dance Academy, we feel that every child should be given the same opportunities at all times. Every student is valued equally to our staff. For 4 extremely successful years, we allowed all students to compete provided they were enrolled in a ballet class. As we embark on our 5th season, we are pleased to announce the formation of our Competition and Performance Team. This Team was selected by invitation only and is comprised of approximately 30 students between the ages of 7 and 17. We have enjoyed tremendous success along the East Coast in years past, and forming this Team will only enhance our students' technique and create an even stronger presence on the competition circuit.

Solos, Duets, Trios, and Extra Group dances are also given by invitation only. We feel that every child should be selected based on their own merit. No extra dances can simply be bought; they must be earned. Separate choreography and competition fees apply to all Invitational Dances. Several factors contribute to the selection of an Invitational Dance. Though some children excel in their core class levels, they are not always emotionally ready for the commitment of several hours of long extra rehearsals and more intimate performance opportunities. Students will be selected annually based on their work and attendance in core classes throughout the previous year and the beginning of the current year. Students are not guaranteed an invitation to participate in extra dances year after year, however, performance or results at previous competitions will not factor into this decision. We do not offer these dances for students to merely dance for the sake of competing; rather they are offered to challenge each child to dance to their potential. We attend competitions for students to receive feedback from other dance professionals on how to better improve their dance training. We do not encourage students to compete against one another or against other studios; rather to compete to achieve their own personal best.

If you are interested in joining our Team, please contact the studio for more information.

We fundraise to help offset the cost of competition and convention fees. All fundraisers are open to our students that compete, however participation is not mandatory. Some of our popular fundraisers include Yankee Candles, Candy Cane Wishes, and Wemrock pies. This year we hope to add a variety of other fundraising options to our students.

We feel that exposure to various teachers, styles and techniques will only enhance the dance education your child receives at The Next Step Dance Academy. We want our students to be as well-rounded as possible, and do not discourage our dancers from training in other techniques and styles not offered here at NSDA. Our Master Class Series brings talent from all areas of the dance world right to the studio. Master Classes will be held throughout the year on weekends for an additional fee. Restrictions may apply based on age and level; however the majority of classes will be open to all students above the age of eight. Information on the Master Class Series will be available in the Special Events section of our website, as well as in our Newsletters and throughout the studio.