Last month I touched on whats happening in my community with LOOP Tanz in Dornach. This month I move it back to Brooklyn ,NYC where, Fallon White is the owner and director of Dance Works Dance Center a community dance school in Brooklyn. In between the time change and her busy schedule, I had the pleasure of chatting briefly about community schools and their role in making a great professional dancer.

How did you start dancing?

I started dancing at a young age. my mom had noticed early on that I had an interest in music, and dancing around the house. So she enrolled me in the local neighborhood dance school. My mom was absolutely the one who introduced me to dance, but she never pushed. I started with Ballet and then went to Jazz and “Lyrical” when that was the big thing. Now its “contemporary”.

A few words on parent involvement?

I appreciate a parent who sees their child for what they are, strong and weak points. I love a parent who is honest with themselves and their child and doesn’t interfere with my teachings. If you are paying me for a service, you need to trust that I am giving your child a quality dance education. I struggle with parents whom seem to be living vicariously through their children and Parents who are never satisfied with their children’s growth.

Common in kids who make it professional?

Dedication of the student and dedication of the parent. Far too many times I have seen kids who have what it takes to make it, and want it, but the parent is not involved or sees it as a recreational thing. They don’t extend there child’s dance education outside of the community school which, in the long run, is what its going to take to become a professional dancer. Its a big dance world out there, we can provide the tools they need, but they have to experience much more.

I like dancers who…

Are honest on stage. Even in the competitive dance world, where it’s all about turns and tricks, I still like to see someones heart on stage. And then after ill take seven well placed turns or what have you.

A bit about your teaching style ?

I am not a tyrant. Ive had numerous students join my studio from different community schools, with horror stories of CD’s, tap shoes, things of that nature, being thrown at them if they didn’t execute a routine properly… Or an instructor would continuously put them down, speak poorly to them. I think it’s important to remember that these are non-professional CHILDREN, we’re teaching. We are supposed to motivate them and help them to build a positive self image, self esteem and passion for dance. Not all dancers whom walk through my doors are going to go pro, it’s about the life lessons they take with them after they graduate.

What are your dreams for the studio?

Expanding. I’d love to have a second location within the next 5 years and possibly a third after that. I’d also like to become more involved with my community and the arts community. Lastly, I’d like to begin some type of pre-professional outlet which helps competitive dancers transition into the professional world.