Dance Canvas Performing Arts Center

★★★★★Adam Dixon

I would like to, selfishly, invite you to attend the adult ballet class. I say selfishly because Katherine and I are the only ones attending at the moment, and I think the class’s cancellation is imminent. This is counterproductive to me attending this class, so I ask, selfishly, for you to hear my plea. Many of you are no doubt busy with life and kids and evenings spent in restful recovery from the day’s toil, striving to earn a sufficient number of small, green pieces of paper to live and, hopefully, thrive, while keeping a small cadre of tiny and not-so-tiny humans alive and, hopefully, thriving. Fair enough. You’re still invited and encouraged to attend anyway, again, selfishly, but, I see you. I understand. Fair enough. However, some of you are itching to attend an adult dance class—perhaps even, specifically, an adult ballet class—but you may have a litany of excuses for not attending an adult dance class that feeds into an ever-present, very human anxiety of making a fool of oneself or not fitting in, or, maybe, you feel like it might be too difficult for you, or, maybe, you’d prefer to not come quite so explicitly face-to-face with a hard truth of life: you’re getting older and cannot move and dance and jump around like you could in your youth. I understand. Before this past year, I had never taken a dance class in my life. I can and will continue to get lost in wedding-friendly line dances—laser focused on the person in front of me, half a beat behind the tempo--oops, now completely lost because we had to rotate a quarter turn to the right. I am 42. I tore an ACL a couple decades back. Both my knees have seen better days. I cannot plié more than a few degrees without locking out my calves and Achilles tendon. I have no natural athleticism or grace. I tell you, though, I do enjoy ballet. For me, the form of ballet has a comforting concreteness. There IS an objectively correct position to hold your hand while practicing tendus. In fact, there is an objectively correct way to hold your entire body. I cannot yet do all that perfectly, but it is knowable, and, better yet, it is perceivable—even by a novice. That is interesting to me, and, I think, somewhat unique to ballet. The structure of ballet practice reminds me of learning an instrument. Barre work is not unlike practicing your scales. It is iterative in every single, microscopic little way, which is pleasing to me. I like to learn like this. And I have improved. You cannot help but improve. That is the magic of practicing anything in this manner. Come to the class. There are no rankings. You just show up, practice, and leave satisfied with your personal growth in the form of ballet and, indeed, as an adult with interests in artforms and activities a few extra rungs higher up on Maslow’s hierarchy than the daily grind tends to provide. It is unlikely this body of mine will ever be able to cut loose with an indefinite series of fouettés. I missed that window. However, I think executing an acceptable, single pirouette is attainable. Maybe even a double. Maybe even while properly spotting (a guy can dream). And that’s OK. So, if you’ve been on the fence, please come. Dance Canvas has a lovely community. Ms. Hattie is a lovely human being and an excellent teacher. She must be because I cannot dance, but . . . I can count to eight and move my arms and legs in a semi-rhythmical manner. For our purposes, that’s close enough.

★★★★★Mollie Wilson

We absolutely love Dance Canvas for my three year old. The instructors are so fun and full of enthusiasm, I genuinely feel like my daughter is truly cared for. My daughter LOVES dance class and we are treated to near nightly dances from her now showing off all that she is learning from Miss Whitney, Miss Sydney, and Miss Hattie. Dance Canvas has far exceeded my expectations. Just wanted to edit and add that we are at the end of year two, and we still LOVE this place. Such a great experience.

★★★★★Dr Melissa The Traveling Vet

The best dance atmosphere I could imagine for my daughter! This happens all the time, but I caught it on camera today. Aubrey and a friend were dancing and being goofy before leaving the studio. It is so often that 2-4 girls are playing before or after class. The older students are kind and encouraging to my young daughter as well. I am so happy I chose Dance Canvas!

★★★★★Christine Bonnivier

I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed Dance Canvas yet! We are incredibly grateful for the entire DC staff and their great communication and creative choreography! We highly recommend any of their programs!

★★★★★Leslie Landwehr

The owners - James and Whitney - and the instructors are the best. They make each dancer feel special and do a wonderful job teaching the kids. My daughter has gone here for 2 years now and we love. Through the pandemic this year they have gone above and beyond to keep our dancers engaged and dancing and have done a wonderful job keeping the studio clean and safe for the dancers to come back. I would recommend Dance Canvas to anyone looking for a great place for the child to come learn.