Our goal is to offer each student a solid foundation in dance while inspiring self-confidence, self-discipline and a positive self-image. Dance improves physical coordination, balance and grace. Dance challenges the mind, so dancers become better prepared for academics and other mental activities. Plus, it’s fun!
Not all students pursue a career in dance; however, the discipline, self-awareness, and appreciation instilled in students are qualities they will carry with them their entire lives. So, whether preparing for a professional career or studying solely for the physical and aesthetic benefits dance offers, each student will receive a solid foundation and joyous experience.
Miss Wendy loves sharing her passion with others. You’ll often hear her say, “Stress falls off my shoulders the moment I walk into the dance studio.”
Classes are held in a home-based ballet studio, located just off County Barn Road in Naples, FL. Class size is limited, allowing more attention to be paid to each student. We strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students of all ages and abilities make lifelong friendships and feel a sense of belonging.
Because we are home-based, tuition and fees remain reasonable and affordable.
We offer a lovely and tranquil waiting area for parents, where they are welcome to relax in front of a fireplace, with a cup of tea and a homemade cookie.
Miss Wendy received her pre-professional dance education from Anna Adrianova and Lorand Andahazy of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and was a company member of Andahazy Ballet Borealis. During these formative years, she spent summers and weekends traveling across the country and abroad to study intensively with the greats of the dance world, such as Dame Margot Fonteyn, Ruth Page, Twyla Tharp, Joseph Savino and many others.
While in Portugal at the International Academy of Dance, Wendy performed in several ballets at Lisbon’s National Theatre of Sao Carlos. Later, during an interim in Mexico, Wendy was privileged to understudy with Ballet Folklorico de Guadalajara, where she greatly expanded her knowledge of dance styles.
Wendy choreographed musicals and staged theater productions for several colleges, including Macalester College, where she was a featured dancer in addition to singing and acting with Macalester’s famed Drama Choros, performing in England as the named entertainment for the British Isles Theater Festival. During that time, she also held dancing and acting roles with the Minnesota Theater Company, Children’s Theater Company and Minnesota Opera. Wendy returned home, only to join the cast of Disney on Parade and dance on tour (where Tinkerbelle became her best friend) and later, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey (where she learned to ride an elephant).
In 1980, Wendy returned to Florida and started Performing Arts Centers in four locations throughout Central Florida that offered all forms of dance, acrobatics, drama and musical theater. She discovered that teaching dance was her true passion. Even today, you’ll hear her say,
“Stress falls off my shoulders the moment I walk into the dance studio.”
Today, Miss Wendy offers small, semi-private classes to children, teens and adults of all levels in her home-based studio, utilizing the finer points of each method she has studied: Vaganova, Cecchetti and Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She holds certifications in Cecchetti and is a member of RAD.
Miss Wendy’s goal is to offer each student a solid foundation in dance while inspiring self-confidence, self-discipline and a positive self-image. Dance improves physical coordination, balance and grace. Dance challenges the mind, so dancers become better prepared for academics and other mental activities. Plus, it’s fun!
Pre-Ballet, ages 4 to 6 is designed to stimulate a child’s imagination while developing coordination and learning basic dance, creative movement, song and pantomime in an entertaining environment. Beginning Ballet begins at age 7. Ballet positions, basic steps and combinations are taught with emphasis on body alignment. Creativity gains structure through simple dance movements.
Dance helps a child gain self-awareness, self-expression, self-confidence and self-discipline. It improves physical coordination, balance and grace. Dance challenges the mind and a child becomes better prepared for academics and other mental activities. Plus, it’s fun!
As ability increases, class becomes more challenging. Proper technique is stressed. Pointe is offered by invitation only to students 10 years or older who exhibit adequate strength and technique. Older students and adults of all levels are welcome—whether for exercise or to simply experience the joys of ballet.
Enrollment is ongoing throughout the year. We simply ask you make an appointment first, prior to the day of class, to fill out the required registration forms and familiarize yourself with the studio.