Music is key! Programs include live piano accompaniment during class time, and for annual spring performances. Our seasoned pianist has had extensive experience accompanying dancers in both classroom and auditorium settings. At performance time each year, our bass player joins our pianist for additional accompaniment. Our musicians have been with Atlantic Studios since its inception in 1980. Dancing to live music assists our students in their learning process. Through their exposure to live and recorded music they develop an understanding of musical history, theory and terminology. Just as dance styles vary from classical to modern, our selection of music is drawn from works as old as the 18th century to as new as today!

Dance history, so integral to the dance experience, is part of our curriculum from the time students are in second grade. The many famous dancers of theatre and film are topics of keen interest to the students. We cover everyone from Pavlova to Fred Astaire and Alvin Ailey.

French terminology is introduced at the age of five in all dance courses. As dancers progress, more sophisticated phrases are introduced. The names of choreographic movements and dance technique are always used. Over time students will memorize these. This is a vital aspect of the dance education process.

Class size: We strive to construct a student-to-teacher ratio that is appropriate and complementary to each class demographic.

Our VERY different annual dance concert keeps people coming back to Atlantic Studios of Dance Education year after year! We offer two shows on stage locally in mid to late May. Each runs no more than one hour! The convenient Fontbonne Academy location, short rehearsal/performance schedules, and very reasonably priced, simple, and tasteful costuming all reflect how we do things differently. All our family members continually enjoy our annual dance performances.