The Dance Theatre at Wellington Green develops dancers in a wide variety of styles. Students gain proper training from experienced instructors, starting as young as 3 years old, continuing up until age 17.
Owner Stephanie Salerno has been with Dance Theatre at Wellington Green for five years. She enjoys working with children almost as much as dancing.
Salerno began dancing at the age of 6 and studied everything from ballet to jazz, with her specialty in acrobatics. With more than 15 years of teaching experience, she has worked with children of every age.
The Dance Theatre at Wellington Green offers a comfortable environment for young students to learn and grow as dancers.
“We have amazing instructors who are warm and caring and motivate their students to be great dancers,” Salerno said. “We also like the parents to feel at home and know that their children are in good hands.”
The Dance Theatre at Wellington Green offers ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, musical theater and acrobatics. When beginner dancers come into the theater, Salerno and other instructors try to make them feel comfortable by gradually developing their skills.
“We start them with a ballet/tap class when they are little, for a half hour each,” Salerno said. “When they get to about 5 and 6, they move up to an hour and a half ballet, tap and jazz.”
Salerno said this method helps with building students’ confidence levels. “They get a good foundation to begin with,” she said. “Once they get older, then they can branch out and start trying new things.”
Parents are able to view their children as they practice through video monitors set up in the waiting area. “It all goes back to making the parents feel comfortable,” Salerno said.
To showcase students’ talents, the Dance Theatre at Wellington Green presents a dance recital every year.
This summer, the theater will start its competition dance team for ages 6 to 17. “They will be competing with other schools,” Salerno explained. “This will give them exposure to competing.”
For Salerno, dancing is more than just a fun activity for children; dancing builds life skills. “It not only gives them a creative outlet, it’s a physical activity that is fun for them, and gives them stability, maturity and helps them learn how to follow rules,” she said.
The Dance Theatre at Wellington Green has nine instructors with varying dance backgrounds and years of experience. The studio will welcome Cuban ballet dancer Daniel Sarabia as its newest instructor.
“He will start in the summer, teaching ballet workshops,” Salerno said. “He’s a big deal in ballet. If you watch one of his videos, you’ll be amazed because he is so great at what he does, and we’re so lucky to have him teaching here.”
Salerno looks forward to growing the Dance Theatre at Wellington Green and being active in the community.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to be more involved with the community,” she said. “Through our dance competitions, hopefully we’ll be able to do that.”
The Dance Theatre at Wellington Green is located in front of the Mall at Wellington Green at 10620 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more info., visit www.dancetheatre.net/wellington or call (561) 784-4401.
ABOVE: The Dance Theatre at Wellington Green owner Stephanie Salerno with students.
