Dance your Dream at Stepping Stone
by Cate Murway
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.” Martha Graham [1894-1991], mother of modern dance
Dance is a wordless form of expression, translating emotions and thoughts into physical movements.
Everything else in the world fades away when the music begins.
Stepping Stone Dance Studio focuses strongly on technique, choreography, and performing, while providing an inviting, warm and nurturing, and most comfortable environment for every dancer.
Owner/ director, Dana Stone, one of the founding members of the Avallon Dance Company, encourages community outreach and welcomes every individual who has a desire to dance. Dana attended Kent State University where she earned her Dance Masters teaching certifications in tap, jazz, & ballet. She has received choreography and teaching awards at both regional and national levels and Dana is also the new Peoples Choice Mover & Shaker....
Look up!! It’s ALWAYS time to dance.
“Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance…….”
Dana’s new and exciting dance studio is located in the impressive Grundy Commons Complex easily identified by the iconic clock tower on 925 Canal Street [Cornerstone of our heritage..... Stepping stone for our future]. Her Stepping Stone Dance Studio provides over a 10,000 square foot facility, now three large dance studios, with professional hardwood floors that are well-cushioned to absorb the shock of jumping. The rooms are well-ventilated and spacious, with mirrors covering the entire wall so the dancers can check their moves and grooves. This stage is their palette, and each move, a vibrant color.
Dana is certain that you will appreciate the beautiful design and décor of Stepping Stone, where every detail has been carefully planned to ensure you have an impressive dance experience. Her quality instructors, beautiful studio, friendly atmosphere, and her zealous commitment provide each individual with a quality dance experience that will be remembered for years to come.
The weekly schedule includes an eclectic mix of styles of dance: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Pointe, Lyrical, Primary I & II, Pre-dance, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Stretch, Cheer Dance, Acrobatics, Dance Team, and a “Get Fit” program.
It takes an athlete to dance, but an artist to be a dancer.
All levels are catered to – ages 3 & up, from the absolute beginner to the advanced dancer. Dancing stimulates the mind and sharpens cognitive skills at every age.
No matter what your level of ability, Stepping Stone wants your education in dance to be an experience where dreams come true.
For beginners, classes are a fun way to get fit while learning. For the more experienced dancers, classes are truly advanced and challenging. The classes are taught by certified dance instructors who are trained to focus on the needs of every student.
The ‘Get Fit’ Program includes Zumba on Mondays & Wednesdays and the classes are $5.00 each.
The skills developed in dance are invaluable and transferable skills that can be effectively applied to any career path. The confidence gained through achievements in dance builds social skills and increases self esteem and communication abilities.
Chat with the dancers. The Stepping Stone students say the nicest things.
All of them are engaged and happy here. The teaching/instructing staff is so inviting, understanding, and compassionate and exemplary in everything they do.
Dana Stone’s professional dance studio is focused on each student’s continued progress in dance, including the fun and recreation aspect while each learns proper technique and receives quality instruction for their physical expression. The dancers become great not just because of their technique; they become proficient because of their passion.
The dancers are trained to become one with the principle of flight, flow and grace, along with the magic of being aloft in the wind. They both find themselves and lose themselves, at the very same moment. The universality makes dance a very powerful and moving tool of expression.
“Dancers are made, not born.” Mikhail Nikolayevich “Misha” Baryshnikov, one of the greatest ballet dancers in history
The Open House last Wednesday evening was well attended and the newcomers happily toured the brand new expanded third studio room.
Carl Sandburg Middle School student, Alexandria Cherington is determined “to learn how to do ballet and acro. We looked online and found here [Stepping Stone].” Selecting just the right shirt is another important part of the night’s decisions.
The current dance students literally gushed with enthusiasm.
Gia Deanna Lebo, BHS ’18 has always been totally involved in everything Bristol. She has been dancing for over 12 years and enjoys almost every medium of dance, including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, musical theatre, and hip hop. Her favorite is ballet.
“I love it. I cannot wait to dance on the new floors!”
Gia’s mom shared, “We're so proud of her. She works so hard and takes dance seriously. She even has her dad being one of the ‘Dancing Dads’ in recitals and the first Fridays at the wharf.”
"Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone…..”
Dana and her Stepping Stone instructors are a vital force! They foster camaraderie, and teach their students to find a balance between technical discipline and boundless creativity.
Kim McManamon, CEC ‘96/ De Sales University, has been teaching dance, training and inspiring students since 1998.
Three generations are involved: Kim’s dad, tap dancer, “Pop-Pop” Jack Fekete and Kim’s husband are part of the “Dancing Dads”
and their children, Ashley, Brielle and Mackenzie all dance.
Kim loves the new studio and floor, “Can’t wait to tap on it!”
Instructor Nikki Cordero has danced since she was three. She is “very into fitness” and has been teaching Zumba, a combination of fitness and dance, for four years. Nikki will also be teaching the hip hop and jazz classes. “I absolutely love it here!”
Come celebrate the ‘Art of Dance’ at Stepping Stone.
There really are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them. Soon enough, you too could be whirling along your pathway to happiness.
Pay the year’s tuition in full by September 30, 2015 and receive 10% off the total tuition.
Stepping Stone Dance Studio
Best of Bucks Dance Studio 2013, 2014, 2015
Best of Bristol Arts & Entertainment 2015
ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, hip-hop, modern, lyrical, zumba & yoga,
acrobatics, stretch/leaps & turns, creative dance, musical theater, baton twirling
Mon-Thurs 5:00pm-9:30pm, Friday 5:00pm-8:00pm, Saturday 9:00am- Noon
925 Canal Street
Bristol, PA 19007
215.458.7076
"Hope You Dance" lyrics Artist: Lee Ann Womack
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
