About The
Dance Teacher…
Nominated by Channel 2 News as one
of Orlando’s top Dance Schools!
The Director
Nancy Stewart earned her
Bachelor Degree in Ballet with teaching certification from Virginia Intermont College in Bristol Virginia.
During her college studies
Nancy worked extensively with children with special education needs. She has
taken this knowledge and developed techniques to work with ALL children.The success in terms of the child’s
confidence and self-esteem is extremely rewarding.
Nancy keeps her students
involved in the community, with her performing troupes entertaining patients
in area hospitals through the Arts for the Heart program, as well as
community performances in local schools and churches.Her
students have also been selected many times to perform in Walt Disney World's
Magic Music Days.
She has also worked with
the Florida Citrus Sports Summer Sports Camp as well as several area schools
and organizations to develop dance programs specific to their needs.
Nancy has been featured
in the Florida Scene Magazine, Center Stage Magazine, Valencia Parent
Resource Center, and The Florida Catholic Newspaper. She has also been
awarded for outstanding service to Orange County Public Schools as a new
Partner in Education and has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from
Virginia Intermont College. Nancy was also the
recipient of the “Outstanding Young Americans in Business” Award.
Nancy’s overall
philosophy of dance education is to have the students learn the history of
dance, develop an appreciation and respect for oneself,
others and the arts. Most importantly they must feel that deep down, dance is
FUN.
In 1985, Nancy opened her
own studio named after what her students called her, “THE DANCE
TEACHER.”
The Business Manager
Dave
Stewart, our business manager, does more than just produce the
paper work and act as our stage technician for performances. He offers valuable insight to our
instructors about child development.
Dave has earned degrees from Rutgers University, University of Central
Florida and his Masters in Social Work from Florida State University.
Dave’s sharp business sense, fun-loving sense of humor, and the fact
that he is married to the owner earned him the position of Business manager. But do you know how a man with a
distinguished name such as Dave came to be called Mr. Nancy?
Dave loves kids. He loves their quick
wit, and is always amazed by a child’s honesty and humor. Years ago (far too many to be specific,
we'd give away Dave’s true age) Dave was sitting in the office of our
first studio. A tiny little girl named Robin sat quietly in the waiting room,
her eyes gazing towards her sister’s ballet class. She swayed her feet back and forth in time
with the music. Robin was a quiet
little girl that really wanted to dance, not wait for her sister's class to
end. But Robin was not old
enough. Dave was busy waiting for
Mrs. Nancy to finish teaching for the day.
So, he tried to pass the time away by talking to Robin. He did his “give me five, up high,
down low...too slow”
routine.
Robin giggled but didn’t really talk, Dave asked her what her name was,
but she didn’t answer. So Dave
said, “I know
what your name is...it’s George” (figuring she’d speak up
for he’d never met a little girl that liked being called by a boys
name). However, Robin offered nothing
but a twinkle in her eyes. As class
ended, and Robin’s sister came out, Dave looked at the sister and said,
“I know what your little sister’s name is, it’s George.” With a big sister close by, Robin looked up
and said, “Yep, and YOUR name is Mr. Nancy.” And to this day, it still is.
About
recitals…
A recital is the perfect opportunity to showcase the skills that each dancer
has worked on throughout the year. It is the philosophy of The
Dance Teacher that in order to expand the parents’ and students’ knowledge of theatre, we must use
the same equation of time as any professional performance. A
standard rule is to have a performance stay within the time range of 1 1/2
hours to 2 hours. This includes Intermission. During College
studies it was emphasized that anything beyond the scope of an average
performance time is frowned upon and considered child exploitation.
There is no educational benefit to marathon recitals, only financial gains at
young performers’ expense. The recital experience needs to be an
enjoyable experience for the dancers, parents, teachers and audience.
We feel it is important to treat dancers like professional performers.
Each child is important. Each class is a vital part to the spring
concert. Our recital will be held in May. A firm date cannot be
confirmed until after the winter break.
There is a studio rehearsal in costume to allow all of the performers a
chance to see the show and get to know their fellow
“cast members” before going to the formal stage. We hold a
full technical stage rehearsal on a separate day from the formal
concert. Dancers must attend all stage and studio rehearsals in order
to perform on stage. If unable, then he/she
will be unable to participate in the performance. Remember that we are unable
to dismiss students early or make special arrangements for rehearsals or erformance. Rehearsals are for the dancer to become
familiar with the stage and for the stage crew to work out lighting and sound
details. When you drop your child
off, please check them in and take a moment to make sure your assistance is
not needed. We also appreciate your taking time to let the volunteers know hw
much you appreciate your help. In an effort to assure a positive
educational and performing Experience, The Dance Teacher has had to
institute the following policies:
1. The
Dance Teacher believes that it is the parents
responsibility to assure dress code, studio and theatre etiquette are
followed.
2. We
do not permit an audience at any rehearsal. If you have questions
regarding rehearsals, please call and allow a full 24 hours for a
response. Numerous handouts and check list are given to parents prior
to performance. Take a moment to review them as well. For the safety and
comfort of dancers, and our audience, videotaping and photography from the
audience area is not permitted.
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