Everything You Need to Know
about Mathews Dance Studio!
We are a dance studio located in Mathews County, Virginia.
I opened the studio in 2016 because I wanted a place for my children and nieces to dance - and thought it would be a great idea to start a business while raising two children, working full time as an art teacher at Mathews High School, and volunteering on several community boards.
Sure enough, it was not only a great idea, but one of the most fulfilling ideas I have ever had.
I work as the registrar, marketing director, bookkeeper, policy maker and instructor, so I am pretty happy to be married to Brent who is the official idea bouncer, 'honey - do - list' accomplisher and child distracter during times I work from home. Together we have learned quite a lot about what owning a 'small business' involves - and how 'small business' is hardly the word to describe the amount of time that goes into one! This year Mathews Dance Studio will be welcoming instructor Haley Beatley to the faculty. Haley is a long time friend of mine and just happens to also have a pretty awesome resume. Be sure to check her out!
We offer classes for dancers ages 2 - adult.
Every year our curriculum grows a little - this year we are excited to say we have classes Monday - Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings! We LOVE to dance - so our focus is on offering classes for kids to learn to LOVE to dance too. From an early age we offer a curriculum that is age appropriate for our dancers - maybe even a little unconventional. We work to encourage creativity, self expression and exercise while laying the foundations for dance. Our classes slowly build on improvisation, ballet, tap, jazz, modern and pointe techniques. At the end of each year we put on a recital showcasing our dancers in each class.
Classes are held on the Third Floor of the Halcyon Building.
We are incredibly fortunate to have a spot in this beautiful place. Renovated recently, our floor has seen a roller rink, furniture store and small theater. Now we can add dance studio to the list and look forward to continuing to take the steps to make it feel complete. The entrance to our building is through the back doors of the Halcyon Building, where you will travel up the stairway to the left until you reach the third floor. Be sure to wear your fitbit!
The class schedule changes from session to session.
For the most updated schedule you'll want to click here. Our fall session runs from September into December, we take a winter break and resume mid January. Then we continue our winter session until the last weekend of April when we have our annual recital. The month of May is reserved for recovery and end of the year chaos, before starting the summer session in June. Our summer session is camp-based, meaning that dancers sign up for class cards allowing them to come and go as it works with schedules rather than committing to the full summer.
Why, of all studios, is THIS ONE right for my child?!
EEK! My FAVORITE question!!! I opened this studio because I LOVE to dance and I love to share this joy with children. Dance is a disciplined art form, but I do not believe the 'discipline' truly comes until the dancer LOVES what they are doing. This is my.... 17th year!... teaching dance and I can honestly say that after having my own children I completely rewrote every class and age group I've ever taught to fit the development level of my kids. I know that I am offering classes that are fun, active, and engaging to my students - and if I don't I start over!
So HOW do you sign up?!
Follow this link to request registration information and I'll take it from there! Packets will be sent by snail mail with information about prices, class times and dance attire requirements. Payment isn't made until you have received the packet - so what's to lose?! See you in class!
- Rachel
Learn more about Rachel here!
