Shaw Dance Medallion Classic 2016

Shaw Dance History Part 2

Shaw Dance Studio History Part 2 (1994-2000)

 

 

By the fall of 1994, Shaw Dance Studio had grown to approximately 80 students. It was at this time that director Jana Shaw recognized the need for more space for the dancers. Shaw Dance moved to the main upstairs area of Sunset Square and went from Jana's small garage to 1100 square feet. Following the move, after just one year, the studio was flourishing and because of complaints from other Sunset Square tenants regarding the noise that comes from loud music and hard dancers, Shaw Dance moved a short distance to its current location in the basement of Sunset Square. In this new basement location, there was a small office space, lobby, parent viewing area, and what is recognized today as dance room one was actually two separate small dance rooms. It was a cozy, family-oriented space where the dancers felt at home.  Jana also increased her staff, welcoming a few more teachers, one of which is the amazing Cheryl Martinez.

Shaw Dance was in a time of growth and consistency by 1995. As more dance space was needed, two more rooms, which are recognized today as the preschool room and room four were added to the studio dance space. The staff at Shaw Dance continued to teach classic dance genres as well as add new forms of dance classes when needed. The implementation of Shaw Dance's Dance Achievement Awards began. This achievement is still given today to those dancers and their families who have been dancing with Shaw Dance for five or more years. Suzette Stewart also joined the teaching staff at this time and Shaw Dance continued to be very successful in its recreation as well as in their competitive teams, receiving high ratings and being awarded many first and second place trophies. In order to accommodate Shaw Dance's larger teams, room one was opened up to create one large dance room with double the space.

Jana and her family moved to North Ogden and realized the need for her to branch out to her community there. She opened a small branch of Shaw Dance Studio in her new home's basement. In this small studio space she taught approximately 35 students and kept this branch of her studio going for five years before deciding to consolidate those two spaces and teach only at the Sunset Square location once again.

A new adventure began for Jana as her daughter McKenna was able to begin classes at Shaw Dance and her first son Logan was born in 1997. This only fueled her love of dance, music appreciation, and passion for teaching. She has always encouraged her students to continue in their passion and learning. As a great mentor even to this day, Jana continually attends conventions in order to keep up with current dance trends and pass that knowledge on to her dancers. This attitude of continual learning has influenced her dancers over the years. Focusing on technique and the philosophy that anyone can be a great dancer with perseverance, hard work, and dedication, Jana and her dance family have been able to grow Shaw Dance Studio and its dancers into the powerhouses that they are today. 

 

Shaw Dance 25 Years Strong!

 

Shaw Dance Studio

celebrating

Silver 25th Anniversary

Shaw Dance Studio originated in June 1991 just off of 6000 South in Roy, in a small two car garage that was attached to Jana Shaw's home. The small new studio had vinyl floors, mirrors, ballet bars on the wall, and a few space heaters. Jana started with just three students, one of which was Kimberly Barker, whose nieces still take dance at Shaw today.  These students started out in a combination class learning ballet, tap, jazz, and creative movement.

By the following May 1992, the studio had grown to about 30 students ages 3 - Jr. High. They competed in several competitions this year and did quite well, receiving high ratings as well as numerous first and second place trophies.

 

 

 

 

With the help of her dad running the music and a few others, Jana was able to pull off her first recital in Roy High School's Little Theater. The recital was a huge success and showcased the different genres of dance that she had been teaching, including lyrical, jazz, clogging, and tap.

 Jana was teaching school full time, expecting her first child McKennna, running and teaching every one of the classes at Shaw Dance Studio, and also teaching dance at Becky's School of Dance in West Valley. She was a busy woman! But it was at this time that she had the great opportunity to go into business with her long time friend Michelle Johnson, (who was also teaching dance from her home in Bountiful) and a new Studio, Johnson/Shaw Dance opened in Parrish Square in Centerville. They leased around 1000 square feet, and together started this new adventure with several new students from the area.

Jana Shaw graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor in Science in Dance and English Education. While at USU she spent two years on a dance scholarship, was an Aggieette, and was also on their modern dance company, Danceworks. In 1990 she was the outstanding Senior in Dance, as well as the HYPER outstanding student teacher.

 

Jana won Business and Professional Women's Association Young Careerist for all of Northern Utah. She was also 1st runner up at the State level for Business and Professional Women's Association Young Careerist.

Jana's first dance teacher was Miss Becky. She was an amazing teacher who instilled a love of dance in all of her students. From the time Jana was six years old she had a desire to own her own dance studio. Miss Becky was tough, having been known for "lovingly" throwing tap shoes at her students when they made mistakes, Jana included, but they loved her dearly. She is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, clogging, Pointe', and contemporary.  Jana remembers working hard at dance, it didn't always come easy for her. Her dad, who is a musician taught her (through many years of frustration) to count music. He took her to multiple dance classes and worked tirelessly with her. She has fond memories of him showing her how to do an arabesque, and spent countless hours working with her to improve her craft. Jana's mother bought all of the Al Gilbert records, (yes, records) and would play them constantly, with encouragement to practice all of the time. Her mother worked at LDS Hospital. Jana would visit her often where her mother would say, "you need to come dance for my friends", (meaning the patients) so patient's beds would be moved and Jana spent years dancing in recovery rooms and hospital hallways for the staff and patents there. Jana spent countless hours performing at malls, parades, nursing homes, and first competed in the 8th grade. One of her young dance highlights was when Miss Becky took her students on Eugene Jelesnick's talent showcase on KSL. She was able to perform tap on this show twice and she loved every second of it! When Jana married her husband Mike she expressed to him her desire to open up her own dance studio. He has always been supportive of her dreams throughout the years. Every time she has wanted to expand, or try something new, he has supported and encouraged her in her endeavors. Through the support and love of her family, friends, and loyal dance families she has been able to grow Shaw Dance Studio into the amazing and successful business that it is today!

With the celebration of our 25th anniversary, we look forward to sharing with you in the next few months more of the history and background of this great studio.

Ballet is the CAKE

At Shaw Dance we focus much of our dancers' training on ballet. Ballet is the basis of all types of dance, it is the core of fundamentals for dance.  In one way or another, dancers will use a type of ballet move in all of their dance classes. Ballet is a vital class for any dancer and has many lasting benefits which include precision and speed in footwork, higher jumps and leaps, greater flexibility and strength, and improvement in balance. Ballet also give you great posture and helps with back and bone problems as one grows older.  There are many benefits to mastering this great art!

In our beginning dance Combination classes our dancers are taught the basics of ballet. They learn the terminology as well as movement and position. These dancers catch on very quickly and learn these habits from the very beginning of their dance education.

 As our students progress and have a desire to gain a greater knowledge of ballet we offer many classes for them to further their studies. Jennica's Beginning Ballet class is a great addition to any dancer's schedule. This class focuses on using the barre for the first time as well as working on their turn out and technique.  They are excited to showcase their progression at our upcoming Christmas Recital on December 14th.

  Another class offered to our dancers is Suzette's Turns and Leaps technique class. This is a non -performing class that is open to all students wishing to improve on their turns and leaps. Dancers progress very quickly. They learn to engage their muscles and use the floor. This is a fun class where the dancers can try new things and use the fundamentals they have already learned to enhance their craft.

 

 

 

 

 

Our competitive Showteam dancers spend time every week in a ballet technique class. They use the barre and something new this year to our studio is the use of ballet bands. Our dancer's are doing very well with this new training technique and we are seeing the progression in their dancing.

  Once a dancer matures in strength and ability we invite them to participate in Suzette's Pointe class. This is a competitive team that uses all of the ballet technique that they have previously learned, but now on Pointe. It is a tough class but our dancer's are doing fabulously! In the few short months that they have participated in this class their progression is admirable.

 Along with ballet technique is the continuation of strength training and fitness. Our competitive Showteam dancers spend time in a Stretching/Conditioning class. In this class dancers are educated on dance history, fitness, nutrition, and overall health of the body. Brittney works on tricks and acro, core strength, and flexibility with these dancers. This is a fun class where they learn that being active with your friends is enjoyable and there are wonderful rewards in strict training of the body. All of the lessons that they have been taught in their ballet training come full circle in this class where they learn that the overall health of the body is vital for success in all aspects of dance and life.

 

Shaw Dance LOVES the art of ballet.

We want to instill that same passion into our dancers. We teach them that ballet is the cake and everything else is the frosting on top!

 

Hip Hop

Shaw Dance is one of Utah's top dance studios specializing in Hip Hop Dance. We offer many Hip Hop classes for ages 3 through college.  Professional hip hop dancers are in great demand in the dance industry and our dancers are training today for those opportunities.

SHAW Go Shaw!

Many of our Hip Hop classes are offered as recreation classes and they are a great addition to any dancer's schedule. Many of our Hip Hop dancers are already taking a ballet, jazz, or combination class and this is a great way for them to let loose and enjoy learning a different form of dance. New students are always welcome so call the office today if you think you might be interested in joining one of these classes!

Tuesday nights Shalese teaches our Hip Hop I and Hip Hop II classes. These classes are geared to ages 8 and up. These dancers are working hard on learning to count the music as well as some stalls and tricks. They are currently working on their Christmas recital routine and it is looking awesome! This is a fun class with a lot of energy and some pretty talented young dancers. We can't wait to showcase all that they have already learned.



Wednesday nights we are offering a FaNtAsTiC new program-our SUPERHEROES Boy's Hip Hop Class. Ages range from 3-6 years old and these boys are rocking out their skills! This is a fun class perfect for the energetic boy who loves to pretend to jump off of buildings and "save the day". Cheryl is teaching these boys some awesome tumbling skills as well as some slick movement and jumps.

What Superhero are you?

 

Also offered Wednesday evenings is our Hippity Hop class. This is our second year teaching this program at Shaw Dance and it is quickly becoming one of the most popular for our young dancers. Ages in this Hip Hop class range from 4-7 years old and it is open to both boys and girls. McKenzie has a deep passion for the art of Hip Hop and is thouroughally enjoying passing that passion onto these young dancers. They are absolutely darling and McKenzie is super excited to show at the Christmas recital how quickly they learn these new skills.

 

 

 

 

Finishing out our Wednesday schedule is our NEW Boys Break Dance class. This class is geared towards boys ages 8 and up. These boys are working on some amazing strength training and learning to do some cool stalls and tricks. Their instructor Nick is a great example to these boys. Parents have commented on how this class is working the boys' coordination and agility which is helping them in other sports they s are involved in too. Nick is stoked to show at the Christmas recital all of the things they have learned so far. 

 

All of our Showteam dancers are required to dance on a Hip Hop team. We have Dynamite Hip Hop, Jr. Showteam Hip Hop, Prodigy Hip Hop, Elite Hip  Hop, and Pro Hip Hop. Within these teams skills range from beginning to nearly professional. They are working hard on their first routine and it will be showcased at the Christmas recital.

Starting in January our Senior Danceline as well as Junior Danceline will start choreography on a Hip Hop routine to compete in the spring. Instructors are working hard on the perfect choreography at this time. Stay tuned for these amazing dances!

 

We are so proud of all of our Hip Hop dancers and couldn't be more pleased with their talent and hard work.