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Dance Theatre Excellence in Dance Education
EXCELLENCE
IN DANCE EDUCATION
South Florida’s premier dance school is ready to get back to business as usual. For nearly thirty years, Dance theatre has been an industry leader in children’s dance. However, when Covid-19 arrived, health and safety concerns prevented all students from participating in their regular activities, including dance students. True to form, Dance Theatre adapted to the “new normal” in spectacular fashion, and kept its students dancing throughout the pandemic.
According to Dance Theatre’s owner Michelle Gerlick, the past eighteen months have given rise to the worst, but also the best of times for her dancers. “When Covid19 required us to temporarily discontinue all studio classes, my teachers and I had to learn how to conduct classes online. It was no simple task. We had hundreds of classes, involving thousands of dancers, and we had to ensure that everyone could access the proper “meetings”. When it was finally deemed safe to return to the studios, we knew we had to do everything possible to protect the health of our dancers. First, we installed Reme Halo air cleansing systems in all HVAC units at every studio. They kill over 99% of all coronavirus particles, including Covid-19. Next, we divided our dance floors into six foot boxes to provide adequate social distancing. Finally, we established guidelines concerning masks, temperature stations, and sanitization.”
Wondering whether all of these efforts worked? They did! Not only did Dance Theatre emerge from the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic without an outbreak, but there wasn’t a single case of transmission resulting from its’ class activities. Not a single one.
“I’ll be honest.” Michelle continued “There were many days where I broke down and cried. I was worried about my students, their families, my family and friends, my business. But an amazing thing happened along the way. I realized just how special the bonds we’ve created at Dance Theatre really are. I witnessed how much we mean to our families, and in turn, how much they mean to us. When we asked them to Zoom, they did. When we were forced to film recital in small masked groups, they showed up and dazzled. When we invited them back into the studios, they ran in smiling, thrilled to be together. We’ve all lost so much through this ordeal, but we’ve gained something too. We’ve gained a greater appreciation for one another, for the precious gift of life, and for the privilege of seeing and instructing our amazing dancers. I’ve never been more inspired to continue doing what I love, and make Dance Theatre the greatest school on Earth.”
For those of you unfamiliar with Dance Theatre, it offers a truly comprehensive program where dancers ages 3 through adult, beginner through advanced, can take classes in every possible discipline. They include the basics, like ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, acrobatics, musical theater and pointe, as well as specialty classes like strength and flexibility, leaps and turns, etc. In addition, dancers who excel and aspire to become professionals also have options. First, they can join Dance Theatre’s performance company, DTC. This year they will perform the halftime show at the Dolphins vs. Jets game, Miami Heat basketball games, and travel to New York City to open the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition, the best dancers may be invited to join Dance Theatre’s elite competitive team, DTX, where they can travel to local, regional and national conventions and hone their skills against the best from other schools. DTX just returned from the Inspire National Championship in Nashville, Tennessee where the team brought home several top awards in virtually every category, with seven of their pieces chosen for the Inspire No Limits Challenge. Way to go girls!!!
Dance Theatre's X-treme Team (DTX) posed with all of their awards from the Inspire National Finals in Nashville, TN Dance Theatre Company (DTC) performing at Universal Orlando
▸If you are interested in joining Dance Theatre, there are several ways. First, you can visit their web-site, www.dancetheatre.net, choose your location, view the Fall Schedule, and register online at any time by filling out the simple form. Second, you may call the studio at 954-427-7217 (for the Parkland location in the Publix Center on 441 & Holmberg Rd.) OR 954-340-1544 (for the Heron
Bay Publix location on Coral Ridge Drive) and speak to someone today. Finally, if you prefer to register in person, you can visit the studios during our Fall Registration Hours Friday August 13th from 5:00pm – 7:00pm & Saturday
August 14th From 9:00am – 11:00am. Better
