ANYONE CAN DANCE!
The Dance School is a community funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the art of dance.
In 2006 a group of committed parents and community leaders re-created the dance school in the same building that nurtured the legacies of Betty Spooner and Mike Jordan.
WHO WE ARE
The Dance School is a place where children of all abilities learn to dance, sing and perform; where creativity, individuality and self-expression are encouraged. We are a community of people who share a passion for the performing arts.
Our goal is to create a positive, happy experience for all our students. We strive to nurture and develop talent, celebrate the achievements of all students and inspire a love and appreciation of all styles of dance and the arts. We are committed to providing a safe, positive environment where all students can feel empowered, comfortable and free to express themselves. We are committed to providing high quality instruction to dancers of all ages and abilities. Our instructors are highly trained, experienced artists in their respective disciplines.
We believe there is no greater purpose in our work than teaching our students the beauty and strength inherent in dance as an art form and the joy that comes from exploring the human body and its abilities.
The Dance School welcomes dancers and members of the community from all backgrounds to dance with us. Thank you to everyone for being part of our TDS family.
MISSION
The Dance School is committed to creating a positive and stimulating environment in which students of all backgrounds come together, learn to love and appreciate the art of dance, and are inspired to achieve their personal best.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Dance and voice classes for youth and adults
- Performance opportunities (for currently enrolled students)
- Private Lessons – for individuals or groups
- Birthday Parties – studio room with optional dance instruction
- Studio Rental – studio rooms rented by the hour
- All faculty and volunteers are background checked
- Music is always age appropriate
- Full time administrative (office) staff during all classes
- Scheduled cleaning and sanitizing of our studios
THE HISTORY OF 2821 ROCKEFELLER AVE
Betty Spooner decided to teach dance when she was only 14 years old. Her first lessons were given in the back room of a candy store on Bond Street. By age 16, she would have enough students to move to a better studio – which sat above the Sport Center Tavern on Hewitt. In this school she taught ballroom, theatrical jazz, character, hula and even Tahitian dancing. She taught her students to perform in shows at the Fox Theater, now known as the Historic Everett Theater on Colby.
Bettty’s husband passed away in the middle of the Great Depression, leaving Betty devastated, desperate and low on cash. She ended up moving herself, her mother, her son Mike and daughter Judy into her dance studio. They lived there for several years until Betty managed to save enough money to buy a new studio – it was then that Betty Spooner’s School of the Dance was opened at 2821 Rockefeller Ave.
Betty ran her studio for 41 years. At the age of 55, she passed away, and in 1966 her son Mike Jordan took over the school. Mike became a staple of the Everett community, sharing his love for dance with thousands of students over the course of four decades. He started a dance program at the Everett Community College, and over the years received many awards and honors in acknowledgment of everything he did for the community. After Mike passed away in 2004, the Betty Spooner Creative Arts Foundation Studio (as he renamed the school) closed its doors for good. Mike’s passing had been devastating for many. Not only had they lost their friend and teacher, but with him their beloved studio.
In 2006, a group of committed parents and community leaders sought to create this beloved dance space again, and thus founded The Dance School in the same building of 2821 Rockefeller Ave where Mike had taught, and his mother before him.
