Dance Studio FAQs | All That Jazz Dance Studio in Newton, MA

What age can children start dance classes?

Children can begin dance classes at All That Jazz starting at age 2.

Our youngest dancers participate in creative movement classes designed to introduce them to music, movement, and basic coordination in a fun and supportive environment.

From there, dancers can continue through preschool, elementary, and teen classes as they grow.

We designate our dance programs as follows:

• Grow With Us- early childhood dance classes for ages 2-7
• Explore With Us- elementary school dance classes for ages 7-11
• Shine With Us- high school dance classes for ages 11-18

“Thank you for creating such a warm, loving, FUN environment for our children. I was able to connect with some parents of older dancers who rave about your program so I know that your philosophy stays true through the years. To see such talented dancers have such a love of your studio warms my heart. We are so grateful to have found you and are looking forward to an amazing year.”~Megan Olowinski

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Does my child need dance experience to start?

Not at all.

Many dancers join All That Jazz with no previous dance experience. Our classes are designed to introduce dance in a welcoming and encouraging environment where dancers can learn at their own pace while gradually building skills and confidence.

Everyone starts somewhere, and our teachers take great care to help each dancer feel comfortable, supported, and proud of their progress.

We always have dancers starting with us throughout elementary, middle and high school and, most years, we even have brand new dancers joining us for their senior year of high school.

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What types of dance classes do you offer?

We offer a variety of dance styles for children and teens, including:

• Ballet

• Jazz

• Tap

• Hip Hop

• Lyrical

• Creative movement for preschool dancers

• Contemporary
• Musical Theater

Younger dancers often start with combination classes, which introduce multiple styles in one class: ballet/tap, jazz/tap and hip hop/jazz.

“Our kiddo loves the teachers and students in her class, plus she has the best time being in their well-run recital. With classes on weekends that work perfectly for our schedule and friendly parents to chat with (if you are up for it) they make it easy and fun. I can see why kids stay with this studio from pre-k to high school.”~ Kerry Holeman

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What if my child is shy or nervous about trying dance?

This is very common, especially for children joining their first activity.

Our teachers are experienced in helping dancers feel comfortable and supported. Many parents tell us they are amazed at how quickly their child gains confidence during the year.

For many dancers, class quickly becomes the highlight of their week.

“I highly recommend All That Jazz in Newton! Miss Deb and her team are so organized and easy to work with. My daughter started going at 2 and instantly loved her teacher, Miss Ellen. She looked forward to dance every week. It really helped my daughter come out of her shell “~ Steph Jordan

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How many dance classes should my child take each week?

Some dancers begin with one class per week, especially when they are younger or just starting out.

As dancers grow and become more interested, many choose to take multiple classes each week to explore different styles and continue developing their skills. Some of our more advanced dancers take as many as 12 classes/week, while others still enjoy just coming in for one or 2 classes/week.

Our dance class schedule is specifically designed to encourage dancers to take classes back to back, for example, lyrical followed by jazz, or hip hop followed by ballet.

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Do dancers perform in a recital?

Yes. All That Jazz dancers have the opportunity to perform in our annual end-of-year recital.

The recital is a special celebration of the dancers’ progress throughout the year and gives them the chance to perform on stage for family and friends.

For many dancers, it becomes one of the most exciting highlights of the year.

“An amazing, welcoming studio that features high quality instruction in the environment where all children feel welcome, challenged, and elevated. Our daughter just finished her first year with ATJ, and she can’t wait to sign up for more classes. The recital was a testament to the ATJ founder’s and all the teachers’ love for dance, their students, and communities they serve – it shined in every move and every word. The recital itself was beautifully done too and so well-organized. We were so heartened to see how many kids of all ages and capacities get to experience dance and movement, the spotlight, the camaraderie, and get to carry these into life with them. All of this made for a beautiful heartfelt experience, both throughout the year and on the recital day.”~ Katya Migacheva

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What should my child wear to dance class?

Dress code varies slightly depending on the class style.

Generally dancers wear:

• Leotard, skirt or dance dress and tights for ballet

• Comfortable dancewear like leggings or dance pants and tank tops or t-shirts for jazz and hip hop

• Proper dance shoes for each class style

• Gender neutral options are always available

After registration, families receive detailed dress code information so they know exactly what to purchase.

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Do you offer dance classes for teens?

Yes. We offer a variety of dance classes for middle school and high school dancers, including jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, contemporary, musical theater and lyrical.

Some teen dancers take one class for fun, while others take multiple classes each week to continue developing their technique.

“This is a wonderful, welcoming dance school. My daughter and a friend joined a class (Musical Theater Jazz) as high school students, and even though some kids had been dancing there since before kindergarten, they felt welcome and accepted. Their teacher, Miss Amelia, was so great they want to take two classes with her next year! The recital was honestly one of the best I’ve ever attended. Highly recommend this school and the amazingly organized leadership team of Miss Deb!” ~Christine Power Thielman

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Can my dancer still participate in sports, theater or other school activities?

Absolutely.

Many of our dancers participate in sports teams, school theater productions, music programs, and other extracurricular activities while also taking dance classes at All That Jazz. We believe it’s wonderful for children to explore different interests and discover the activities they love.

Our schedule is designed to give families flexibility, and many dancers enjoy being part of the All That Jazz community while also participating in other school or community activities throughout the year.

Our goal is for dance to be a place where dancers can grow, build confidence, and look forward to coming each week, while still enjoying a well-rounded childhood.

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Do you offer summer dance camps?

Yes. Each summer we offer themed dance camps for children, designed to keep dancers active, creative, and engaged.

Summer camps are a great way for new families to experience All That Jazz and for current dancers to continue dancing during the summer months.

“My daughter has had an amazing experience at All That Jazz. She has enjoyed taking multiple classes during the school year and during the summer. I wanted to share our experience with the summer classes as many people might not even know they exist. My daughter found the summer classes to be super fun and the same great instructors taught them. The summer classes gave her the opportunity to meet new dancers and experiment with new dances. I also found they fit in well with her other summer activities. I highly recommend trying out the summer classes at All that Jazz (and of course the school year classes too)!”~ Linda Swain

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Where is All That Jazz Dance Studio located?

All That Jazz Dance Studio is located at 330 Watertown St in Newton, Massachusetts.

We proudly serve families from Newton and nearby communities including:

• Wellesley

• Brookline

• Belmont

• Watertown

• Needham

• Waltham

• Brighton

Many families travel to our studio because of the welcoming environment and strong sense of community.

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How do I register for classes?

Registration can be completed directly through our website on our Class Schedule & Registration page.

If you have questions or would like help choosing the best class for your dancer, Miss Deb Vogel, the Director and Founder of All That Jazz, is always happy to help.

How long are dance classes?

Class length varies depending on the dancer’s age and the type of class.

Our younger dancers typically attend classes that are 45 minutes to 1 hour, while older dancers may have classes that are longer or combine multiple styles.

Our goal is to create class lengths that are appropriate for each age group so dancers stay engaged, active, and excited to learn.

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What if my child decides dance isn’t the right fit?

Trying a new activity is an important part of growing up, and sometimes it takes a little time for children to settle into something new.

Our teachers work hard to create a welcoming and encouraging environment where dancers can feel comfortable, build confidence, and enjoy the experience of learning something new. In many cases, children who feel unsure at first quickly grow to love coming to class each week.

If questions ever come up during the year, Miss Deb Vogel, Founder and Director, is always happy to talk with families and help find the best path forward for each dancer.

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Can my dancer try a class before committing?

We understand that trying a new activity can feel like a big step, especially for younger dancers.

Whenever possible, we are happy to help families find the right class for their child and answer any questions before registering. Many new families begin with a class that feels like a comfortable introduction to dance.

If you’re unsure which class is the best fit, Miss Deb Vogel, Founder and Director of All That Jazz, is always happy to help guide you.

What if my dancer isn’t sure about dance yet?

That’s completely normal.

Many dancers join their first class feeling unsure, especially if it’s their first group activity. Our teachers are experienced in helping dancers feel comfortable and supported as they get used to the class environment.

We focus on creating a welcoming atmosphere where dancers can explore movement, build confidence, and have fun while learning. It’s very common for children who start the year a little hesitant to finish the year excited and proud of what they’ve accomplished.

“I wanted to send you a quick email to express my heartfelt THANK YOU for everything you have created at All That Jazz. Even with all of the classes you have and all of the students in the classes, you always made it a point to talk to us and really got a chance to know the kids. You aren’t just a name behind a business or an email; you are a face in the studios day in and day out engaging with students and parents, and your love of dance just oozes out of you! We really were not sure how our daughter would do in dance this year, and in fact, all along I had said she would probably be the kid crying on the side and not dancing, but seeing her SHINE on stage yesterday made us smile so hard it hurt. It may have taken her 8 months to come out of her shell, but the growth she made is so crazy to even try and comprehend. The first thing she asked today was “Mama, is it a dance day again today?” Needless to say, I signed her up immediately for next year. Watching her up on the stage was just such a joy and we are so so proud of her, and so THANKFUL for you and Miss Ellen and all of the other teachers that helped our daughter gain confidence and independence. She has even talked about how she doesn’t need to hold a teacher’s hand anymore when she dances!”~ Monique Gagnon Magno

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Why do families choose All That Jazz?

Families choose All That Jazz because we focus on more than just great dancing.

Our studio is known for:

• A warm and welcoming environment

• Experienced and caring teachers

• Helping dancers build confidence

• Creating a supportive dance community

For many dancers, class at All That Jazz quickly becomes the best part of their week.

“Miss Deb and her staff are tremendously positive influences on our girls, especially our oldest, who has been dancing and volunteering there for almost a decade. The lessons extend far beyond dance instruction–leadership, self-confidence, grace, fitness, kindness, inclusivity, resilience, humor…I could go on…It is amazing how many boxes they check. Miss Deb gives them more than a studio, she gives them a home!”~ Maura Hadro Butler

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Ready to Find the Right Class for Your Dancer?

If you’re thinking about trying dance or have questions about which class would be the best fit, Miss Deb Vogel, our Director and Founder, is always happy to help.

You can explore our current class options and register online here:

[View Class Schedule & Register]

If you’re unsure where to start, feel free to reach out anytime. We’re always glad to help families find the class where their dancer will feel comfortable, confident, and excited to learn.