Thirteen Years

I usually mention here how fast the previous month has passed by, and last month did. But that’s not what I want to talk about. Instead I would like to say how the last 13 years have flown by! That’s right, the studio is entering its 14th year of providing dance and fitness classes. For me, It’s just like the old saying that time flies when you’re having fun.

When the studio opened, I wanted it to be a place where adults could enjoy dance and fitness classes without feeling intimidated. I think that has been our greatest success as we attract adult students of all ages and body types.

And somehow, we’ve also managed to attract some of the nicest people in the world to our classes. I think the care, and support I give to each of my classes seems to be spreading. For instance, in ballet classes, I often see the more experienced students offering words of encouragement to newcomers. Also during the ten minute gap between ballet and pointe classes on Monday nights, the students that stay for pointe, sit and chat while they put on their pointe shoes. It reminds me of the ballet scenes that Degas painted!

I’m usually busy getting ready for the class or talking with someone who isn’t staying, so I’m not sure what the discussions are about. But the conversations are lively, and there is alway a lot of laughter. You can tell there is a special camaraderie there, as they prepare for another challenging pointe class.

When the studio opened I did offer pointe class but I only had three regular students. Now pointe class has grown to a total of over fifteen students. I find this amazing as pointe is really challenging, and not what you would expect an older dancer to be interested in.

For fun I took a look at the first schedule for the studio. And as you would expect, a lot has changed. We now offer a greater variety of dance and fitness styles, more workshops, classes seven days a week, and of course we now have Zoom classes too. In the beginning, there was only one ballet teacher, me! Now I have seven other ballet teachers!

I like to think that over the last 13 years, we have developed a real community of men and women, who love to dance and enjoy each other’s company, both inside and outside of classes.

We have another busy month of workshops and classes, so I hope that crazy summer schedules allow you time to participate. Check below and on our website calendar to see what’s happening.

What’s New at ADF?

- New 4-week Belly Dance Level l begins, 8/1/24, 6:00-7:00pm. Try a class for $10 on 8/1/24. For more info contact Habiba at 518-330-8006 or habibadance@gmail.com

- Welcome back to Charmaine Veldhuis, ballet and pointe instructor. Charmaine taught at ADF many years ago and we’re delighted that she has returned to share her extensive knowledge of ballet. Catch her first class on Saturday 8/3/24.

- Don’t miss out on the last two weeks of Wednesday Summer Jazz classes with Maureen. Both Wednesday and Saturday Jazz will return in September.

- Three of our teachers, Abbie, Nikki, and Carra, are performing with Nacre Dance Group. See them dance at Sip, Savor & Swirl , Saturday 8/3/24, 7:30pm, Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs, NY,