About the Studio:
NEW CLASSES BEGINNING IN JANUARY 2012!
See our classes and policies page for new class times and schedules.
Click here to read our parent handbook for 2011-2012 - includes tuition rates and more!
Adult classes with Miss Chelsea will continue in 2012! Mondays - 8:30-9:30 pm
January 9 - Hip Hop
January 16 - Jazz
January 23 - Latin Heat
January 30 - Hip Hop
February 6 - Jazz
February 13 - Latin Heat
Fridays - 6:00-7:00 pm - Latin Heat (every Friday!)
All adult classes are $10 to drop in, or buy a 6 class package for $50! No dance experience necessary. The Monday class schedule will follow the new pattern listed above until June!
Our Staff | Our Studio | Contact & Location Info
OUR HISTORY
The Dance Shoppe traces its roots back 29 years, when it was owned and operated by Terri Newman, formerly called Terri Newman’s Dance Shoppe. The traditions and values of strong technique with a family friendly atmosphere continue to thrive today, under the ownership of Lauren Lenter. Everyone truly is a star at the Dance Shoppe, from our youngest recreational dancers in our outstanding preschool program, to our award winning Classy Dancers competition team.
The Dance Shoppe staff (L to R: Front - Chelsea, Katie, Emilie ; Back - Susan (business manager), Megan, Lauren, Molly, Terri)
OUR STAFF
Lauren Lenter, owner, is professionally certified by examination through Dance Masters of America in the disciplines of tap, acrobatics and jazz. She is certified through the Cecchetti Council of America at both the student and teacher levels. Lauren is proud of her roots growing up at The Dance Shoppe, where she was a member of the “Classy Dancer” intensive program, as well as the Lakes Area Civic Ballet. Following graduation, she spent two years studying Dance and Arts Management at Oklahoma City University. While studying at the University of Michigan, she performed with the Rhythm Tap Ensemble. Following this, she toured with "Sesame Street Live" in the lead role of Zoe. Lauren has created numerous high scoring routines over the past several years, as she continues to take pride in buidling the studio's tap program. She is also the founder of the Dazzling Stars performance group. She is currently the teacher and choreographer of ADA's Regional Jr. Dancer Of The Year. In addition to tap, Lauren’s versatile teaching skills allow her to work with nearly all of the Dance Shoppe students, teaching all styles of dance. She loves spending time with her "little people," just as much as she enjoys working with the more experienced dancers. Lauren continues to seek out opportunities to further her dance studies, to stay up to date on the most recent dance innovations. Lauren also teaches dance and choreographs annual shows for the students in kindergarten and first grade at Gretchko Elementary School in West Bloomfield, MI.
Terri Newman owned The Dance Shoppe for its first 26 years and continues to teach full time. She founded the Classy Dancers 21 years ago when her dancers were invited to perform in the Soviet Union. Terri’s extensive teaching credits include being a master instructor at both the Dance Masters of America and American Dance Awards National Conventions. Terri has taught her turning technique throughout the country and produced the DVD entitled, “Turn Your Dancing Around.” She is proud to have trained numerous dancers that have pursued successful dance careers, including: a LA choreographer, an Alvin Ailey Company member, a Miss Dance of America, a Julliard graduate, a NY Rockette, and many teachers & studio owners. Terri is certified by examination as a professional dance instructor by both Dance Masters of America and the Cecchetti Ballet Council of America. She has judged in both the U.S. and Canada. Most importantly, in her 30 years of teaching Terri is proudest of the thousands of strong, confident and courageous young women that danced at The Dance Shoppe.Megan Baker is a graduate of Oakland University with a Masters of Arts degree in Teaching and the University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Science degree in Pure Mathematics. She also is certified through the State of Michigan in Secondary Education for Mathematics and Physics. Megan is an alumnus of the Dance Shoppe's “Classy Dancers,” the Lakes Area Civic Ballet Company, and the Pre–Professional Group. She is certified by examination through Dance Masters of Michigan in ballet, and by the Cecchetti Council of America at the student and professional levels. As an instructor, she has won various awards for her choreography such as Young Choreographer of the Year 2004 (ADA), Overall High Score Solo Choreography 2005 (ADA), Diamond Choreography Award 2006 (ADA), and The Mary Helen Stewart Choreography Award 2007 (DMM). She is an award-winning dancer as well. Megan has performed with the University of Michigan Dance Department and Impact Dance Company. In addition to teaching dance, Megan currently teaches high school math and physics at Bishop Foley in Madison Heights.
Chelsea Contway is an alumnus of the "Classy Dancers" and Lakes Area Civic Ballet. As a student of The Dance Shoppe for 13 years, she was also certified by exam through the Cecchetti Council of America at the student level. During high school, she also participated in the Poms dance team, where she was a co-captain and assisted in choreography. This is her 6th year teaching with The Dance Shoppe. Each year, she has built the hip hop into an award winning, popular, and entertaining style. Chelsea brought hip hop to the competition level for the studio as well. In addition to teaching, Chelsea works in Commerce as a licensed cosmetologist. She has her Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from Oakland Community College.
Molly Yates moved to Michigan from the Windy City of Chicago. While in Chicago, Molly served as a core instructor at Soul2Sole Dance, where she choreographed routines and taught technique classes for the studio's 60-person competition team. Her choreography won numerous honors including high-score awards and special prizes for originality and creativity. Before Chicago, Molly spent time in Los Angeles while her husband attended medical school. While in L.A., Molly taught at The Dance Factory and took professional-level classes at The Edge. Growing up in Iowa, Molly chose to attend the University of Iowa where she earned a double degree with honors in dance and journalism. An online journalist by day, Molly has also written articles for online dance Web sites and Dance Teacher Now magazine. She currently resides in Royal Oak with her husband Jarrod and their three children, two year old Nora and six month old twins Grant and Dylan.
Katie Demorest, is a graduate of The University of Michigan with a Bachelors of Arts degree with honors in Elementary Education. She is a Dance Shoppe graduate, participating in the Classy Dancer program, Lakes Area Ballet Company and the Select Group during her 14 years at the studio. During college, Katie was a four-year member of The University of Michigan Dance Team, performing at all home football and basketball games as well as other campus events. Katie taught dance for 3 years at Dancer’s Edge in Dexter, MI where she worked with many students and helped develop the competition team. She is excited to start her second year at The Dance Shoppe!
Emilie Hamlin is a 2008 Dance Shoppe alumnus and has danced with the award winning Classy Dancers. She was also a member of the studio's prestigious Select Program. This is her second year as a teacher in our studio's tumbling program, and she has been substitute and assistant teaching in all the studio's classes since 2008. She was on the 2010-2011 Detroit Pride cheerleading team for the Detroit Lions. She currently has an Associate's Degree from Oakland Community College in Liberal Arts. She is now attending Oakland University, working towards a degree in Elementary Education.
OUR STUDIO
The Dance Shoppe has equipped each of its 4 dance rooms with raised wood floors, which are friendly to dancers’ bodies as they jump and turn. Each floor is covered with professional Marley flooring. All four rooms are spacious, with large observation windows, surrounded by benches, where you may view your child’s dance class every other week. For our dancers that spend many hours at the studio, we have a picnic table, refrigerator and microwave. There is a study area for dancers who need to do homework at the studio. We have 4 bathrooms available to our students, and plenty of waiting room space for parents.
OUR ANNUAL JUNE SHOW
Each year, our dance season culminates in a full-scale dance production that every dancer is involved in. Our June productions are more than just a recital; they are a story incorporating dance, acting, scenery and special effects, to make a show that is enjoyable for everyone who is watching. Dancers will begin learning their routines for the show in January.
