North Carolina Dance Institute

Reviews 3

A

Anonymous User

NCDI is the dance studio that not only serves as the most inspirational place to educate yourself in dance, but also a home away from home. The training in all dance forms at NCDI is exceptional. I have trained with many different teachers and the teachers at NCDI are just so fantastic at everything they do. Not only being able to teach challenging and fun combinations and dances that keep us dancers engaged in class, but also the fact that any question fathomable about technique is able to be answered by the teachers. In addition to blanket corrections given to the whole class, the teachers make a point to give individual corrections to each student. This is essential in the development of nearly flawless technique that we strive towards at NCDI. Thats another thing, the emphasis on perfect technique with the addition to artistry is one of the most amazing parts about NCDI. They do not just develop dancers who can go through the motions and who can move well. Us dancers are taught to perfectly execute the dances and combination with defined technique AND to dance from the inside out letting our emotions drive the technique and movement. The fact the NCDI is a non- competition non- recital studio is actually one of the best parts about it and one of the key reasons why the dancers are so well rounded and so able to grow. First of all, the cost of costumes and competition/convention fees as well as the time consumption of competitions and recitals are unthinkable for so many families. At NCDI, we are not limited to drilling the same dances over and over for the entire year. In a jazz class for example, we might learn and polish a jazz dance that is more edgy with lots of elements of hip hop, then move towards a lyrical jazz piece getting to integrate our ballet technique into the dance. We are not limited to the same movement in the same dances all year long. We get the opportunity to explore many different ways of expressing one style of dance. This is one of the reasons why the dancers at NCDI grow so much over the course of their training and are also able to appreciate all forms of dance. It also keeps the minds of the dancers open and able to pick up new material easily because we are constantly trying to learn a different combination or dance. I love NCDI and it is my home away from home. In addition to having found the studio that offers exceptional training in ballet, jazz, tap, modern and hip hop, it is also the studio where the positive energy constantly circulating the entire building makes it nearly impossible to not love every one around you that you are dancing with. All the teachers and dancers have positive attitudes that makes walking into NCDI something to be excited about. The North Carolina Dance Institute is tremendous. I encourage anyone with a love for movement and artistry to open themselves up to this amazing dance studio! :)

KE

Kelly Christopher

NCDI was recommended to my daughter by her high school theatre director. She is in musical theatre and is going to pursue a degree in that field when she goes off to college next year. At the time she was getting ready to enter her junior year in high school. She had never taken dance as a child but knew she would need instruction for her desired major. We liked that NCDI is a non-recital studio and that there are all ranges of experience. My daughter decided to choose the unlimited class option for the summer session. Rather than me just sitting in the car or lobby while she was in class, I considered taking some classes as well. I also had no dance experience other than zumba and other dance based fitness classes.Before signing up, I decided to email Kirstie Spadie (the owner) and ask if any adults take classes. She was so sweet and encouraging that I decided to sign up as well! So, at 44 years old, I went out and bought myself some tap, ballet and jazz shoes! We took a variety of classes, all beginner level. There were times when I felt a bit self conscious, but the atmosphere is so caring and encouraging, that I got over that pretty quickly. There has always been at least one other older adult in each of my classes. My daughter continued to take some lessons through the year and when summer rolled around again I signed up as well. Since that first summer, I have taken ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theatre dance, contemporary, hip-hop and deep stretch. The teaching staff is wonderful and they come from all types of backgrounds and experience. You can really tell that Kirstie loves what she does.! She gets to know everyone and is constantly affirming and positive. I would HIGHLY recommend NCDI! My daughter is now in the midst of her college auditions and has gained so much knowledge and technique in a short period of time. She really feels like she is right in the mix during the dance call portion of the auditions even though some of the kids she is dancing with have taken classes since they were 5 years old! As for myself, I love to dance and it is one form of exercise that I do not dread! I know that I have added strength and flexibility and it has gotten me into better shape.

CA

Caroline P

My daughter has dreamed of being a professional dancer from a very young age, and had been dancing for some time when we decided it was time to make a change. I has placed her at a studio that focused on competition and recitals. My daughter participated on a competition team for two years. The second year she realized she had not learned anything new in one of her classes the entire year. As my daughter still seemed serious about being a professional dancer -I started looking for a new studio. This is when I happened upon NCDI. I contacted the artistic director (Kirstie) via email; and received a very quick and detailed response. Kirstie suggested my daughter drop in for a class so that the teachers could determine which class levels best suited her. I thought this was very fair and made sense, because it seemed so easy at the studio we were at for students to be placed in a class or on a team without a serious assessment. On our first visit, Kirstie made it a point to take a break and greet us personally. Shortly after my daughter started taking a few classes and summer intensives at NCDI. My daughter really liked Kirstie and the NCDI teachers, so we decided to move my daughter to NCDI for all classes. My daughter has danced happily at NCDI for over six years. Her technical skills and confidence has improved tremendously. Since receiving instruction from NCDI faculty, she has auditioned and been accepted to various summer dance programs and has recently auditioned and been accepted to various college dance programs. I can not say enough good things about NCDI, Kirstie and the faculty. Kirstie is a very giving person who helps build young dancers, both in confidence and technical abilities. She is very careful when selecting teachers. The teachers are very knowledgeable and have had professional experience. The teachers get to know your child, and help guide them individually to be a better dancer. My daughter and I feel that we have been truly blessed to have found NCDI. NCDI is the BEST studio in Raleigh - no doubt! NCDI is professionally run, is non competition/recital, has skilled teachers - and is just a positive environment all around.

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