Dance Design School — Local services in Town of Cornwall

Our family has been with Dance & Music Design School for 8 years and we are so thankful for the care and instruction our children have received there. I recommend this studio, and the curriculum it teaches, without reservation. What started as a fun after-school activity for our youngest, who began attending dance class in pre-school, has become the equivalent of year-round athletic training for both of our daughters: dance is their sport and they spend many hours each week at the studio. They've learned how to give and receive constructive feedback -- this is a skill that has carried over into other areas of their lives and helps them to stand out as leaders among their peers in both performing and non-performing environments. The rigor of the training itself is outstanding. Dance & Music Design School is a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus school, which means it adheres to an established and time-tested program of training young dancers. We can see now that what looked like fairytale games in Creative Movement (pre-school) classes were actually foundational exercises for ballet proficiency and expressive storytelling through dance. The RAD syllabus ensures safe, age-appropriate, methodical training by instructors who must stay current in their own training and proficiency. My oldest daughter, who started ballet classes when she was in 6th grade, benefitted tremendously from being able to train with dancers her own age even though she started studying ballet "late." She has passed the RAD Advanced 1 exam, which is an internationally recognized standard of ballet proficiency, has been successful at by-audition-only summer ballet intensive programs, and is a standout dancer (ballet, tap, jazz, and modern) among trainees in musical theater. Dance & Music Design School gives all students, whether they are there because they love dancing or because they need rigorous training to dance professionally, the tools to develop their physical strength and ability, and also nurtures their mental and emotional growth by requiring and reinforcing hard work, consistency, courtesy and respect for others, goal-setting, and celebration of goals accomplished. This studio is our girls' home...

Am a former student of the founder of Dance Design, siblings are former alumni as well - now my own children attend under current owner and former classmate. Your child will be taught using a research & child development based WORLD-WIDE curriculum of ballet (RAD) as well as have other forms of dance available to them, including acting and music classes. It is a warm and welcoming environment and has adjusted well to In-Person/remote class offerings. The school in also the home of the Hudson Valley Dance Theater and it runs summer programs as well. All the teachers are knowledgeable and supportive of the students...

I’m so glad I decided to send my kids to Dance Design in-person this fall. I’m impressed with all the precautions they’ve taken there, and it seems safer than any other place I’ve gone. Both of my daughters (4 and 13) love being back in studios doing something fun, meaningful, and safe with kids their age. They seemed the happiest they’ve been in months when I...