Welcome to Canton Dance Studio! We are invested in training children in the foundations of dance. Not only do we want to teach others about dance, but we also focus on other important life skills such as working as a team, accountability, responsibility, goal setting, physical and mental flexibility, and creativity. Because of all of the skills that we teach our students, we have found to have some of the most well-behaved students in and out of the studio. Canton Dance Studio is run by Nya Lofters and Hayley Fowler. We are young entrepreneurs that put all of our time and energy into creating a successful dance studio and we are partnering with East Texas Twisters. We also have college backgrounds in business management and elementary education. We are proud of the success of our studio, and more importantly, the success of our students. At Canton Dance Studio, we offer multiple public performances. Some of our performances include our yearly recital and performing at the Canton Autumn Festival. We serve the community and provide age and developmentally-appropriate classes to all of our students. We pride ourselves in creating a family-friendly environment for our dancers to thrive in.
Recreational Dance
Recreational Dance is for students that want to learn about dance and perform, but do not wish to compete. This is a low-key way for students to enjoy dance. These students view dance as an extra activity and hobby. They dance to have fun! Students will still perform in public performances and recitals. They are also encouraged to participate in fundraisers. However, they will not compete at competitions. Recreational Dance is available for dancers of all ages!
Competitive Dance
Competitive Dance is a little more rigorous and high stakes than recreational dance. Dancers
that compete in competitions wish to take their dancing to the next level. Competition dancers will compete in multiple competitions throughout the spring. These dancers will be expected to come to class and schedule private lessons. Dancers will learn challenging but fundamentally appropriate routines to perfect and compete with solos, duets, trios, or small groups. Competition dancers are also expected to participate in fundraisers to help cover funds for competitions and costumes. Competitive Dance is available for dancers ages 5-18.
Hip Hop (ages 10-18)
Hip Hop is more than music; it’s a cultural movement that incorporates different elements of
art. Hip Hop dance has made, and is still making, a huge impact on the world. The influence of Hip Hop culture has shaped music styles, fashion, technology, art, entertainment, dance, and more. Hip Hop continues to develop new art forms that impact our dance community. In this class, students will learn Hip Hop techniques and choreography. Freestyle and improvisation will also be elaborated in this class. Students will love learning about the Hip Hop art form and applying that to their dancing skills!
Required Attire: clothes that you can easily move around in and tennis shoes that are only used in the dance studio; hair should be secured and pulled back out of the face.
Hip Hop (ages 5-9)
Who’s ready to get funky? This class is a basic introduction to the hip hop style of dance. Hip
Hop dance is a style of movement characterized by bounces and rocks, executed to Hip Hop
music. This class will include basic hip hop techniques and choreography. Students will also
learn about freestyle and improvisation. We will have a blast dancing to age-appropriate music and moves for young dancers!
Required Attire: clothes you can easily move around in and tennis shoes that are only used in
the dance studio; hair should be secured and pulled back out of the face.
Adult Combo/Dance Fitness (ages 18+)
Dance is for everyone, and you’re never too old to start! This class focuses on the basics of
multiple genres of dance, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, and even tap. If you are looking for a new hobby that is fun and energetic, then this is the class for you! We prioritize your body’s health and know that dancing is a great way to keep your body healthy. Dance has been proven to manage your weight, improve the condition of your heart and lungs as well as your muscles and strength, increase your endurance and motor skills, and enhance your coordination, agility, and flexibility. Fun routines are choreographed to incorporate new skills taught. Performance opportunities are also available to those participating in this class!
Required attire: clothes you are able to easily move around in, tennis shoes that are just used for dance, and jazz shoes; hair needs to be secured and pulled back out of the face.
Pom Dance (ages 6-14)
Are you interested in a dance genre that is similar to cheerleading? Then Pom Dance is a great fit for you! Pom Dance is a style of dance that incorporates the use of pom poms. Motions are sharp, clean, and precise. Pom Dance also incorporates other styles of dance such as jazz and hip hop. This class focuses on the use of proper pom motions as well as proper dance techniques. So, what’s the difference between pom dance and cheerleading? Cheerleading is geared toward doing tumbling and gymnastics-based techniques, while pom focuses more on dance procedures and techniques.
Required Attire: leotard, dancer briefs (optional), jazz shoes, silver 4” pom poms; hair needs to be secured and pull back out of the face.
Ballet/Tap – Tiny Tots (ages 2-4)
Our Tiny Tots class focuses on developing the motor skills of your little one. Dancing helps
young children learn how to coordinate and control their bodies. It also helps them to be aware of their space and the space of those around them. In this class, children will be given the opportunity to express their creativity and imagination through the basics of ballet and tap. We encourage ballet be taken, especially for little children, because ballet sets the foundation for all dance genres. We will dance through obstacle courses, play dancing games, and learn fun routines that will often incorporate props such as scarves, ribbons, or teddy bears. This is a “must have” class for all little children. All children that leave this class will have a basic understanding of creative movement, teamwork, friendships, and listening and comprehension skills.
Required attire: leotard, ballet tights, ballet skirt (optional), ballet shoes (leather is preferred),
and tap shoes; hair should be secured and pulled back out of the face.
Ballet/Tap/Jazz (ages 5-9)
This class is designed to develop an awareness of the alignment of the body and dance vocabulary and technique through the art of ballet, tap, and jazz. Classes will include basic barre exercises, center exercises, as well as across the floor exercises. This class will enhance your child’s coordination, balance, and flexibility with the teaching of basic ballet positions, dance steps, and terminology through barre work, center work, and basic across the floor exercises. We will learn basic tap-dancing techniques that will get your child’s feet making music! Jazz techniques and vocabulary will also be taught. This is an essential class for students that dream of being an accomplished dancer! Your child will have a fun time learning the secrets behind becoming a great dancer!
Required Attire: leotard, ballet tights, ballet skirt (optional), ballet shoes (leather or canvas), tap shoes, and jazz shoes; hair should be secured and pulled back out of the face.
Baton Twirling
This class is geared toward all ages! Anyone and everyone are welcome to join. We will teach the basics of baton twirling to students of all ages. We will also teach more advanced baton twirling to those that participated in baton twirling in high school. This is our Silver Chord group! Performance opportunities are available to all participating students in this class.
Require Attire: clothes that you can easily move around in, tennis shoes, baton; hair should be secured and pulled out of the face.
Ballet/Contemporary/Jazz (ages 10-18)
This class focuses on teaching the art of ballet, contemporary, and jazz techniques for students ages 10-18. In this class, dancers are now old enough to advance to pointe shoes. This is the most exciting time in a ballerina’s journey. This class will focus on ballet and dance terminology and technique through the execution of barre work, center, and across the floor exercises. Students will have a clear understanding of body alignment, movement quality, and flexibility. Students will also learn about freedom of expression, improvisation, and creative exploration of movement through contemporary style of dance. This is designed to inspire the student’s own creativity and expression. Jazz technique and vocabulary will also be taught in this class.
Required Attire: leotard, ballet tights, ballet skirt or dancer briefs (optional), ballet shoes
(canvas preferred), jazz shoes; hair should be secured and pulled back out of the face.
Technique/Flexibility class (ages 5+) *required for competition dancers*
Is your child looking for some additional practice and training? Then this is the perfect class for you! This class focuses on improving dancing techniques as well as flexibility. We will learn new skills to help your child excel as a dancer including different types of turns and leaps. It is required that students that choose to compete in competition to sign up for this class. This is not a stand-alone class. This class can only be taken if the student is taking an additional class.
Required Attire: leotard, tights (optional), dancer briefs (optional), ballet and jazz shoes; hair
should be secured and pulled back out of the face.
Private Lessons (upon request)
