Dance studio instructors teach, perform

A new dance studio has opened in Phoenix that prides itself on having qualified instructors who also are skilled performers. In addition to studying everything from ballet to hip-hop, Director Melissa Stokka danced professionally with the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Cardinals.

Other Sundance instructors have danced with Britney Spears and P. Diddy; choreographed for various NBA and NFL dance teams and have appeared on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew.

Sundance Studios recently opened at 2445 E. Baseline Road. Stokka, 28, talked to the Republic about her new business:

How is Sundance different from other dance studios?

Being a (sixth grade) teacher, everything follows a certain structure. And we have objectives and goals like a normal classroom as positive reinforcement.

What are some of the classes Sundance offers?

We have a professional prep class for girls trying out for high school cheerleading or a professional team. And I have nine adult classes. We've got adult hip-hop, breaking and locking, adult ballet, adult jazz. We have around 200 students.

How old does a dancer have to be to start?

Age 3.

How'd you find your teachers?

My teachers are people I met professionally. They are people who are very passionate and very qualified and very qualified choreographers.

What separates your dance instructors from others?

I would say the level of choreography. The teachers that work for me are professional choreographers and professional performers. . . . They've been out in front of huge crowds of people, not just learning how to dance, but how to perform, how to get excited. We have really outstanding choreographers. And they love to teach.

Does it take something extra to be both a good dancer and a good teacher?

Yes, you have to be passionate about it (to teach it). You have to truly love it. The kids know when they're learning from someone who loves what they do. They reciprocate that energy.

How long have you taught dance?

I started dance when I was 5. When I started, I was really shy and then it kind of broke me out of my shell. I became a different person. I became confident and it helped my self-esteem a lot. And it helped my social development and from there it gave me more purpose, more structure and discipline. And when other things weren't going so well, I always had dance to fall back on. . . . I started out teaching when I was about 12 and that got me into teaching school.

Have you been able to bring dance into your school?

Yes, I formed the first dance team and cheerleading squad at David Crockett Elementary School. That was awesome. It was something they would not have gotten, could have afforded on their own time. They've performed at basketball games and assemblies.

Why should people take dance?

If I could pick one word, I would say self-esteem. It makes them feel good about themselves, makes them feel confident and makes them feel they can achieve a goal. It's such an enjoyable activity and a great way to find structure outside of the school day and a great outlet for stress.

What's the hardest thing about dance?

The hardest thing about dance is the easier it looks the harder it is. It takes lots of solid practice and training. It's supposed to look effortless when there is a lot of training that goes beyond it.

Jeylin Curtis, 7, practices on her moves at Sundance Studios.