Why Do We Teach Dance?

At Tonawanda Dance Arts, we pride ourselves on providing all students the same well-rounded education. Each of our instructors have different training backgrounds and, together, bring our students a diverse knowledge of each one the styles of dance. Additionally, all of our instructors are Youth Protection Advocates in Dance (YPAD) certified to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our students.

Each of our instructors have different experiences and reasons why they became a dance instructor...and we are grateful for their shared love of dance! Their passion for teaching and passing it along their gifts to others is what makes our studio so special! Read on to see what each one of them had to say about their teaching about their teaching experience...

Miss Melanie - Founder and Director

“I always envisioned operating a dance studio that made an impact on the community and the lives of the children that come through it’s doors. Whether they stay for one year, five years or until they graduate, I want to be able to make a lasting positive impact on them!”

Miss Kelsey - Associate Director

“I am involved in the dance studio because I felt it was important to be a positive role model for students and foster a safe and fun place for them. For me, the dance classroom was always a place to establish discipline, learn what it meant to work hard and persevere, and also let go and express yourself. Today, I believe that all kids growing up need a place that they can go aside from home and school to feel accepted and learn life skills...and I hope that the studio can be that for them.”

Miss Miranda - Instructor

“I teach because I have never known anything other than dance. I teach because I see myself in so many young kids and know what it feels like to have big dreams and need an instructor to help them develop further. I teach because I see the impact dance makes on children and because it’s truly my ‘WHY’, which is to use my lifelong passion to make a difference in children’s lives and to allow my students to understand what it means to have a passion.”

Miss Dana - Instructor

“I teach dance because I love the pure happiness it brings to people. Being able to express yourself through movement is such a special feeling. I love being able to share my passion with my students and help them discover all the valuable life skills dance has to offer!”

Miss Whitney - Instructor

“I teach dance because it has simply changed my life and I want to give young dancers that same opportunity. To learn what it feels like to be so passionate about something and love something so much that you just want to pour every second you have and all you have into it. It teaches you some of the most important life lessons in a fun and encouraging way and is also a way to express yourself and leave all your troubles behind. It’s the perfect balance of fun and discipline and I feel so lucky to be able to teach this art form to dancers.”

Miss Ginger - Instructor

“I teach dance because it excites me to share and learn the valuable lessons that I have learned from my teachers that have made me into the person I am today. Through dance, I have learned confidence, strength and a beautiful art form that not every human on this earth gets to experience. With whatever path the students want to take with their dance training, I want to be there for them to help them and guide them to the right building blocks they will need.”

Miss Sharon - Instructor

“I teach dance so I can share the incredible mental and physical benefits of this athletic art form.”

Miss Jenna - Instructor

“I teach dance to help encourage a healthy and happy lifestyle! Growing up I saw dance as an outlet to express myself and I love watching my students find that same passion and happiness that I found.”

Miss Tammy - Instructor

“I teach because I love to see the look on my students' faces when they finally get a skill they’ve been working on. When they finally realize all the hard work and practice has paid off. It’s a huge life lesson that they will use for everything in their future!”

Miss Sam - Instructor

“Growing up, dance and my dance teachers have always been something positive in my life. I knew I could come to dance and not have to worry about anything beyond the studio walls. I knew that I wanted to teach and inspire young dancers and be a positive role model in their lives.”

On top of teaching dance steps, choreography and technique, all of the TDA instructors strive to encourage each child to grow and excel in their training, while bringing joy, passion and happiness to their lives. As our mentor Misty Lown, founder of More Than Just Great Dancing says “We don't teach kids to make great dancers, we teach dance to make great kids.” There are so many benefits of dance and TDA would like to thank you for being a part of our dance community!