Return of Master Class Series

Students with guest artists Ms. Patti and Mr. Daniel from Anderson College during a partnering class this summer.

We are pleased to announce the return of our guest artist series this year at PDA.  We have many amazing teachers who will be visiting the studio this year to teach some exciting, fun-filled classes!  We believe at PDA the more master teachers that students are exposed to the more diverse their technique development will become.  By attending conventions and also participating in our in-house master classes students have opportunities to connect with dance professionals who are working in all different areas of dance - from teaching to television to being on tour.  The excitement is in the air at PDA!!

Annual Open House August 4th!!

Palmetto Dance Academy will hold our annual open house on August 4th from 3:30-5:00.  Drop in to meet our staff, pick up class confirmation cards, order class leotards, shoes, hair bows, etc., and register for some fantastic door prizes!!  All students paying their first month's tuition payment at open house will automatically be entered to win free tuition!!  Don't miss it!! 

Congrats Competitors!!!

Palmetto Dance Academy's competition teams recently competed at the Star Talent National Dance Competition in Myrtle Beach.  They competed with over 30 other studios from across the nation.  Nearly 700 numbers took to the stage over the course of three days.  We are overjoyed with excitement in the achievements of these dancers.  We came home with 17 top ten placements, 14 of those within the top five.  As well as the Senior duo/trio national champions, Kaylee Palmer and Jordyn Rodgers, for their duo "Lovely".  Wonderful job everyone!!  We cannot wait for next season!!

Pink Week

As we start PINK WEEK this week at PDA who are you honoring or remembering?

Well Underway in 2012

Classes are rolling at both the PDA locations for the 2012-2013 year. As we embark on this new year the staff is again humbled by the unending support of our strides toward quality arts education and community outreach. We have added over 30 new students to our roster for the second year in a row, nearly doubling the student base since 2010. With the growth of students so comes the growth of our staff. Of course there are the old-timers, Ms. Shannon and Ms. Heather, me, (of course the youngest of the two.:)) but it has been wonderful to welcome back former PDA students on their return as staff. They are bringing their PDA education full circle and we could not be more proud. Ms. Casey (who is about to earn her crown as an old-timer for her 7th year as a staff member), Ms. Allie, Ms. Megan, Ms. Ashleigh, Ms. Alex, and Ms. Chloe are not only completely familiar with the PDA curriculum as former students but their college studies in education are true assets to PDA. Our internship program (assistant staff) is also growing and evolving so we look forward to many more students returning as part and full-time staff in the future. We have the BEST assistant staff and are thankful for what they bring to us. We hope they get as much out of their internship as we can possibly give them. We are blessed beyond words and again thank all of our students, parents, volunteer help, and staff for what they bring to the PDA family.

ZUMBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELCOME MS. HAYLEIGH, PDA'S NEW ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR!

Hayleigh Rodgers has joined our staff as our new certified Zumba instructor!  Her classes are already packing the studio because they have been such a hit.  Currently only being offered at our Johnston location this summer, the classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-8pm.  Classes are just $5 (current PDA students and their parents receive a discount) and there are NO contracts or long-term commitments.  However, get ready to WANT to rock every week.  No contracts are needed in this class because you will be hooked.  You aren't working out - you are having FUN!  We can't wait to see you at our next class.   

"A Time for Everything"

We will present our annual showcase of talent this coming Sunday, June 3rd.  Showtimes are 3 and 6pm at the Batesburg Fine Arts Center.  Admission is $5. 

Titled "A Time for Everything"  this year's show is centered around Ecclesiastes 3.  Our students have been focusing all year not only on dance but on those things that God states there is always a time for under the heavens.  This conclusion to the year focuses on how far our students have come as dancers and as people of fath. 

We are very proud of all of our dancers, parents, and families who have worked to make this year a huge success.  Each year we think "this just can't get any better" but yet it does.  As Palmetto Dance Academy and Fine Arts Center continues to grow into one of the largest studios in the area we are proud to stand behind our Christian values and continue to push forward with our mission to not only create wonderful dancers but to establish a high moral standard in each student that walks through our doors.

In a world that seems to settle for mediocracy, PDA has stood strong to develop an environment where students can feel the fruits of labor. We have been so inspired by our dancers this year as they have learned the power in pushing hard, practicing much, and then reaping the reward of confidence and belief of self.  As we have watched this week's rehearsals we cannot express enough how grateful we are to the parents who have encouraged practice at home as an extension of the lessons we wish to promote at PDA.  As each student has taken their chance to shine in rehearsal it is so humbling to see their smiles and true expressions of knowing they did GREAT, really did GREAT!  They know they have practiced hard and they understand that because of that practice they have shown their absolute brightest.  PDA stands above the rest because of our students' and their parents' willingness to never settle for "ok".  They always expect more and because of that our audiences are never short of amazed in each student's performance.  This weekend will surely be no different.  We hope the lesson in perseverance will also guide each student far beyond the dance classroom and far beyond this stage of their life.  We cannot wait to see how far they will climb in life.  All of you make us extremely proud. 

Best of luck and love to all. 

"You learn you can do your best even when it's hard, even when you're tired and maybe hurting a little bit. It feels good to show some courage." ~Joe Namath

Registration has BEGUN!

Registration is in full swing at PDAFAC. Classes are already reaching full capacity. If you have not already called to register please do so today.

Last year we had several people call to register after classes were full. They said they always thought that the line "our classes are filling" was just a business ploy and they wouldn't wait again. We do not say classes are filling until they really are. That time is now.

Call the studio 864-445-0100. If no one answers please leave a message. Someone will get back in touch with you within 24 hours during the business week. We do not return calls over the weekend. If you leave a message Friday-Sunday we will get back with you on Monday.

Thanks and we look forward to more rocking classes at PDAFAC!

PDA Rocks! The spirit behind PDA

Seniors in prayer prior to competition.

I am always in awe at how PDA has grown into a spirit-filled way of life for many of our students. We say all the time that PDA is a family but unless you are within the family you truly have no idea how far that extends.

A few years ago we started a spirit circle that we do at the end of all classes, a football huddle of sorts for dancers. Everyone holds hands (although throughout this sickly winter we chose to shake all hands in to avoid spreading germs - one thing this family doesn't want to share), we bow, and everyone yells "PDA rocks!". It started with our babies and quickly became a phenomenon throughout all ages. It is now the unofficial PDA motto.

Every time we come to that circle I am amazed at just how enthusiastic these students are. How on earth did they get this way? I never remember being so "into" dance that it could be categorized as cult like. (And I danced a LOT growing up and am now a teacher of dance!) We joke at PDA that if your closet is filled with the colors pink and black you must be a PDA family member. In fact, the senior students have designed a t-shirt to be printed soon that expands on this little joke. We even had pink streaks placed in our hair one year for a convention we were attending compliments of Ms. Vikki, our personal hairstylist.

Then, there are the Facebook statuses and tweets. My dancers make my day when I see them gloating over dance. While they understand it is "work" not "play", they find it thrilling to be in the process toward an end result. They take pride in their performances, work hard to get things just so, and don't understand why people can call themselves dancers if they don't work as hard as they do. They put the athlete in dancer! They work at home on off-time just to get better, ask when the studio will be open so they can practice in the space during free time, and they beg for more performances!

When I opened the doors of PDA over 11 years ago I had no intention of PDA becoming more than a studio. I just wanted to teach dance TECHNIQUE! I wanted students to know to dance you must do things RIGHT! Plus, you have to lay it ALL out on the stage, physically and emotionally. I did not realize that this studio, this dance space, this technique would become so much more. It is now dancers using talents to help others, using dance as their supportive community, using dance to better themselves at everything. That is the PDA spirit! That deeper felt love of community is why PDA rocks! It isn't the awards we win (albeit it really nice to have worked our way to the top of the prize podium) or how many times we can all turn on center. It has become so much more.

I am proud that this has taken on a life of it's own within the hearts of each and every PDA family member. PDA is no longer one person, one studio, it truly is a spirit. The spirit of knowing with hard work and enthusiasm one heart can change a world!

Thank you to all my family members who hold this spirit tight. Love to all of you.

Our Newest Connection for Students

You can now follow our blog for updates on the newest happenings at PDAFAC.  It is just one of the many ways we are working to connect both our current students and the public with updates as they become available.  Keep in touch with us.  Post comments and share photos.  We are excited about this newest adventure in technology and dance.:)