This business highlight is sponsored by Grace Ballet & Gymnastics Studio – Teaching Character Through Dance in three metro locations.
I am honored to be the mother to a four-year-old little princess, so the time came to sign up for dance and gymnastics. I naively thought it was as simple as locating area classes, asking a few friends their opinions and experiences, and sitting in on a few classes to choose the best fit for us.
Did you know that in the U.S., dance and gymnastics teachers do not need to have any training or qualifications to teach our children? That is concerning considering we are entrusting our most precious possessions to people who may not know how to keep their bodies safe from injury. Every job seems to require a degree of some sort, so I was surprised to learn that anyone can open a dance studio without any real, formal training.
Luckily, in my quest for studios, the same name came highly regarded from multiple friends and family members: Grace Ballet & Gymnastics Studio in Des Moines/Indianola/Ankeny.
The Difference
The difference at Grace Ballet is the quality of instruction and the instilling of Christian values in their students through class. Their motto: “Teaching Character Through Dance.” Their music: Memorable. Impressionable.
Anna Horváth from Grace Ballet & Gymnastics Studio is the only teacher in the state of Iowa to be certified and registered with the Royal Academy of Dance. Through three years of post graduate schooling through London, Anna Horváth learned how to safely and passionately teach students of all ages. Anna became certified in Stott Pilates, which gave her a background in kinesiology to ensure that students build a strong core and correct posture which is needed throughout dance, especially in preparation for pointe work.
For the past three years, students at Grace Ballet have been able to take international exams in order to show off their mastered skills before an examiner. This examiner has traveled from another state or country to watch them.
These exams are the backbone of the Royal Academy of Dance because they help teachers and students to see where they are on an international level with over one million students participating in exams worldwide.
Teaching Character Through Dance
Above and beyond Anna’s passion for teaching dance – and for teaching it well, she believes – is “Teaching Character Through Dance.” Anna shares, “This is more than just teaching children to perform well. Character built through dance should spill over into everyday life through kindness, patience, initiative, obedience, perseverance, faithfulness, and so much more.”
It is easy to see this vision and expectation when observing the classes and interactions at Grace. I’m so honored to know that we have such a remarkable facility in central Iowa.
Fun Times for All
All this might sound stuffy, but don’t think that for a moment! You can learn correct form and technique and still have FUN! In fact, that was the one word that I heard over and over about Miss Anna when I asked some of her students about her.
Summer is a great time to start dance, and camps at Grace Ballet are all about learning in an educational and FUN way! This is a great time to meet the teachers, introduce your younger children to the facility, and help them feel comfortable when they start fall classes.
Grace offers the following Summer Camps to individuals of varying ages:
- Princess Camp: Say hello to your favorite princesses as they dance with you, as you explore gymnastics, and as you do a princess (or prince) related craft. (This was the highlight of my daughter’s summer last year!)
- Gymnastics Summer Camp: Show off your moves for parents at an open house at the end of the session.
- National Balloon Festival Camp: We will dance and learn a performance piece and perform on the stage for the National Balloon Festival.
- State Fair Camp: We will dance and learn a performance piece and perform on the stage for the Iowa State Fair.
Three Locations to Serve You
Indianola (104 1/2 W 1st Ave. Indianola, IA 50125)
Des Moines (Saylorville – 6564 NW 6th Dr. Des Moines, IA 50313). This studio is just a mile south of Ankeny and easily accessed from I-80 off 2nd Ave.
Ankeny (1615 SW Vintage Pkwy. Ankeny, IA 50023). This location is mainly for advanced dance students.
Grace Ballet & Gymnastics Studio is the lowest priced studio in the area, from what I understand. I love that Miss Anna includes the costume and recital fees in with the monthly tuition to help the parents budget. I believe she truly understands how important dance and music is to the development of well-rounded children and wants to make it possible for every family to be involved.
Connect with Grace Ballet & Register Now
Information is available at www.GraceBallet.com. Be sure to Like and Follow them on Facebook.
Register for Summer camps online now!
Fall registration will start May 1st for current students, and May 15th for new students.
You can also contact Grace at 515-289-7505 (Ankeny) or 515-289-2884 (Saylorville/Indianola).
We love Grace Ballet! My daughter has been dancing there for six years, and it has been a fun and wholesome environment for her to learn the art of dance. She has made great friends, learned discipline and perseverance, and had many opportunities to perform in a positive environment. I highly recommend this studio to anyone considering enrolling their son or daughter in dance!