Upcoming Events
April 2024
Africa Charlotte is a celebration of African American and African culture. Come learn, dance, drum and sing with distinguished African and American Artists! Africa Charlotte features Hadiyah Mason, Aboubacar Soumah, Diadie Bathily, Eric Gore, Seny Daffe and potentially another artist on the horizon 😉
Each series will kick off with a lecture on the impact of African Arts on the African American experience including cultural celebrations of Black History Month and Juneteenth. Africa Charlotte was made possible, in part, with funding from @asccharlotte ASC, and the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
Rosangela Silvestre, world famous dance maestro from Brazil, is here for one night only and is the creator of The Silvestre Dance Technique; a contemporary Brazilian dance expression that’s unique yet classically based and incorporates the four elements of nature, the chakra system, the three triangles of the body and symbology from the gestures of the native, folkloric Orixa dances. A study of African-Brazilian traditional symbols within choreography, and how to work with the Silvestre Technique creatively, will be the objective of this master class while also conditioning the body, mind, and spirit for any dance form.
May 2024
MASTER CLASS: Dorfman is a multi-award winning choreographer, guest teacher, and lecturer at preprofessional (University and High School) and professional training centers nationally and internationally. Emphasizing center-driven movement, nuanced weight transfer, breath phrasing, intention, focus and performance, master classes expand the dancers’ technical, dramatic, and artistic range.
Dorfman believes “artistry is built on specificity and detail.” Classes explore the essence of solo and ensemble performance; partnering technique, where the individual exists in relation to the other, is followed by company repertory.
PERFORMANCE: Acclaimed choreographer and storyteller Carolyn Dorfman has created an exultant “dance-theatre” trilogy that connects us through our common human experience. Told through the lens of a child of Holocaust survivors, dances illustrate the devastation, yet inspires hope as immigrants’ journey to a new land that promises new beginnings! Our deepest desires for peace, freedom and family are illuminated in this triumphant work that will make you cry, laugh, think and celebrate the capacity of the human spirit to rise above all circumstance.
Summer Camp Registration
At Open Door Studios, we provide a fun and inviting atmosphere to children of all ages. For our younger youth dancers (3 thru 9 years) we offer Summer Camps that maintain a focus on dance while also incorporating games, crafts, and other activities to keep them engaged and focused throughout the day.
This year, we’re excited to announce that we’ll be offering both Half-Day (9am-1pm) and Full-Day (8am-4pm) Summer Camp options. Our camps will run Monday-Thursday with a 30 minute drop-off window prior to camp starting.
Summer Intensives
This intensive is designed for students who want to explore all things concert style dance. Students are expected to work hard, have fun and make new dance friends while building on their own dance training! Daily classes include: ballet, modern, jazz and more. Recommended for dancers ages: 8-12.
M/W
12-1pm – Ballet (Ms. Carolina)
1-2pm – Acro (Ms. Carolina)
2-3pm – Jazz (Ms. Lydia)
3-4pm – Mindfulness/Stretch (Ms. Lydia)
T/Th
12-1pm – Conditioning (Ms. Carolina)
1-2pm – Ballet (Ms. Carolina)
2-3pm – Modern (Ms. Lydia)
3-4pm – Composition (Ms. Lydia)
Cost: $200 (non-refundable)
Calling all dancers! If you plan to or are interested in joining our ODDF Youth Ensemble for our 2024/25 season, this intensive is for you! Appropriate for any dancer that already is or will be placed in Ballet II or higher.
Dancers will spend their week focusing on Ballet and Pointe, coupled with Progressing Ballet Technique. Have daily classes in Jazz, Horton or Contemporary, and end their week with a showing on Friday with a Variation, a Contemporary work, a Horton warm-up and a collaborative piece with our Step Together program.
M/W/F:
9-10am – PBT (Kim)
10-11:30am – Ballet (Kim)
11:30-12pm – Pointe/Variations (Kim)
12-12:30pm – Lunch
12:30-1:30pm – Contemporary (Megan)
1:30-3:00pm – Choreography (Megan and Kim)
T/Th
9-10:30am – Horton Technique (Kyle)
10:45-12:15pm – Giordano Jazz (Kyle)
12:15-12:45pm – Lunch
12:45-3pm – Choreography (Camerin)
Cost: $375 (non-refundable)
We accept all dancers, in every form. We seek to provide a safe haven for everyone to learn, to express, to create and to grow. Our mission is simply, “Dance is for Everyone”.
Open Door Studios provides a unique offering of adult and youth dance and fitness classes. Classes are taught by professionals with extensive backgrounds in education and performance.
Experience a refreshing approach to dance instruction in a non-intimidating atmosphere sure to challenge, inspire and move you.
Find What Moves You
“This has been my first year at Open Door Studios, and it has definitely been a great one. I can see my growth not only as a dancer but also as a kind human being. The teachers are very nice, supportive, and knowledgeable. I have made so many new friends this year and everyone is kind and supportive. ODS is truly dance for all people, no matter their age or ability. I had the opportunity to take part in the Step Together adaptive dance program this year. This is a very unique program and there are not many opportunities like this in Charlotte. We have many performance opportunities that are all incredibly professional and well run. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings! If you are looking for a studio home, this is it!”
“This is one of the most exceptional dance studios I have ever experienced. Both of my daughters have danced there for many years. One of them landed a national Broadway tour right out of high school and the other has special needs and this studio has welcomed her with open arms. They now offer an inclusive dance experience called Step Together! They are not caught up in the over the top competitive nature that many dance studios are involved in. Their priority is the joy of dance and challenging each individual to explore and experience this art form to the best of their ability! I am so grateful to be a part of the Open Door family!”
“Our five year old daughter absolutely loves her class and Ms. Kim has a magical talent to herd the tots and littles.”
“Open Door Studio has changed my daughter’s life. She started private lessons as a 10 year old with Cerebral Palsy – an instructor identified who was willing to take her as a student. Those lessons, with the diligent work of her instructors, eventually replaced clinical physical therapy with the added bonus of feeding her artistic soul. Now, at 16 years old, my daughter views herself as a dancer. And, thanks to Open Door Studio’s willingness to “expand the tent”, attends a group class that includes and honors her body – Step Together. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.”
Please take some time to visit our online schedule!
Browse our class description pages and instructor bios.
Find a class that interests you and sign up today!