“Dance Works opened in 2013 in York County, and we moved to Newport News in 2018. We offer classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary and musical theater,” says Emma Mead, owner, operator and one of the dance teachers at Dance Works. “We also have week-long dance intensives and dance workshops.”
The team at Dance Works offers a plethora of classes from which to choose. Included are weekly dance classes in the evening for ages 18 months to adults, daytime classes for younger students who are homeschooled, master classes for older dancers, summer small intensive sessions and week-long camp workshops where dancers create crafts and practice dance.
Dance Works emphasizes its classes are for everyone. “Anyone and everyone who wants to learn, enjoys music and moving should come take a class. I always say, ‘everyone can learn to dance,’” says Mead. “We cater to all abilities. We try our hardest to give dancers an age-appropriate challenging class, with a fun atmosphere. Good dance technique is important to be safe, but also important as students grow and learn to take care and understand their bodies. Age-appropriate music and costumes on stage are also important for us.”
Mead continues: “We are a family-friendly community dance studio. We teach students the love of dance. We also train older students in our assistant teacher program. They learn how to assist in the younger dance classes and year-by-year work their way up to becoming teachers.”
Dance is a passion that runs in Mead’s blood. “I started dancing in England when I was three. I went to study at a ballet school at 11, and I started teaching at 16,” Mead says with a smile. “Since then, I have travelled around the world and taught dance. In 2013, my husband retired from the United States Air Force and we settled in Newport News. It was my time to open my studio, something I had always dreamed of and planned for years.”
Dance Works is becoming more and more of a family affair for Mead. “In the coming years we will transition from just me to being a team of three. I am super excited to involve my two daughters in the future of Dance Works. They have quite a bit to learn and it’s going to take a few years, but I am excited to see what they will do,” Mead says. “At this point, I am the only fulltime employee. Everyone else works part time. I have four to six other employees who teach during the week. They all have ‘real jobs’ during the day and then come to teach dance as their extra job.”
Mead’s favorite part about the job? It goes back to her passion. “Teaching dance, for sure. If I take a break and don’t teach for a while, I notice something is missing. Teaching makes me happy,” says Mead. “I know not all students will dance in their future, but if they do love it when they take classes from us, that’s important to me, passing on that love.”
The community is another passion of Mead’s that she keeps close to her heart. “We are starting a new program, ‘Change to Dance’, where we are offering free dance classes for students with all abilities. My daughter Sarah has started this program as a school project. We received a small grant to begin, and we intend to raise money each year to continue to support it,” says the dance teacher. “Allowing students of all abilities to move to music, have fun in the studio and eventually perform on stage is a beautiful thing. At this time, we think we will be hosting an annual ‘Sponsored Walk’ around Oyster Point to raise money.”
The future is bright for Dance Works, and its doors are open to anyone who has an interest in dance. When Mead isn’t busy working at the studio, she enjoys spending time walking and traveling with her family.
TO THE POINT:
Dance Works
Address: 11828 Fishing Point Dr., Ste. #108, Newport News, VA 23606
Phone: 757-775-7848
Website: go2danceworks.com
