We take our Wednesday nights with a twist.

Book and Bar(re)™: a combination of book club, dance party and cocktail hour. A short but robust dance warm up followed by light stretching, adult beverages and low-stakes literary discussion. Each class culminates in a group improv inspired by the evening’s literary analysis. BYOBook, BYOBottle…We’ll provide the Barre. Hilarity guaranteed.

Wednesdays, 7PM @ The Center Dance Studio. September 20th – October 25th. 

Tuition: $75-$100 (sliding scale)

Inquire for details.  Email thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com, call 413-230-1944 or stop by the studio to chat: 321 Main Street in Amherst (right next to Hope & Feathers Framing). 

Story Ballet (45 minutes, ages 3.5-5) invites young dancers to explore the world of ballet through an imaginative lens. Using imagery and stories as inspiration, students will engage with the vocabulary and principles of classical ballet. Our interactive, developmentally appropriate class structure nurtures students’ enthusiasm for dance while cultivating focus and a growth mindset.

Wednesdays, 3:30 – 4:15 PM (9/6-10/25)
Sundays, 11:45 AM -12:30 PM (9/17-11/5)

These classes fill up quickly, so reserve your spot now!

Ballet Foundations offers students in grades 3-6 the opportunity to begin studying ballet in a relaxed, supportive environment. No prior experience necessary!

Dancers will be challenged at their own level as they develop strength, coordination, musicality, and a strong “movement vocabulary” in this dance style.

Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 PM.

Reserve your space now! To register, contact thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com, 413-230-1944 or visit our secure Square Store. 

Modern I, for students in grades 3-6. Wednesdays from 5:30-6:45 PM. 

In this class we will learn and experiment with fundamental concepts of modern dance. We will drop, roll, swing, suspend, jump and twist. Structured movement exercises will develop coordination, strength, mobility and musicality. We will also learn how to locomote in a variety of ways, then we will make up our own.

Reserve your space now! To register, contact thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com, 413-230-1944 or visit our secure Square Store. 

Enroll now in our 6-week session of Perch & Swoop: a morning of art, songs, reading, dance and PLAY!

Recommended for toddlers 18 months – 4 years (10% sibling discount; siblings under 18 months may attend at no extra charge).

Fridays, 9:30 AM – 12PM
September 15th – October 20th.

Register online, via email (thecenterdanceschool@gmail.com) or over the phone (413-230-1944).

Visit Perch for more information!

Introducing The Center Dance Studio’s Company Program for kids in grades 3-12!

The Center’s pre-professional Company Program is designed for students seeking an intensive course of study in ballet and/or contemporary dance forms. Two separate tracks are offered; our Ballet Track provides students with rigorous training in classical ballet (with the option to advance to pointe work), while our Multidisciplinary Track allows students to hone their skills in ballet, modern and hip hop.

Visit our Company Program page for all the info.

Find a story. Find your feet. Then, tell us a dance. 

At The Center, children spin stories from movement using classical and modern dance techniques. Directors Ashley and Caddy Carlisle combine their years of dance training in the Pioneer Valley, New York City, and Montreal with a special approach to teaching that gets kids reading, writing and dancing;  connecting, collaborating and creating.  It’s a holistic approach to dance.  In classes geared to children and teens of all ages, kids combine elements of what they imagine with what they observe to create movement that is inventive, entertaining, and deeply satisfying.

The Center. Where we’re not just spinning, we’re spinning stories.

321 Main Street Amherst MA
(right next door to Hope & Feathers Framing)

The Center Dance invites you and your toddlers to an Open House & Free Trial Class event, Sunday, September 10th from 10AM – 12:30 PM. 

Trial Class Schedule
Garden of Verses (ages 2-3): 10-10:45 AM
Word Play (ages 3.5-6): 10:45-11:30 AM
Story Ballet (ages 3.5-5): 11:45 AM-12:30 PM
Family Hip Hop (ages 4-7): 12:30-1:15 PM

Visit our Toddler/Pre-K Program page for full class descriptions. 

Come, tell us a dance!

Find a story. Find your feet. Then, tell us a dance. 

At The Center, children spin stories from movement using classical and modern dance techniques. Directors Ashley and Caddy Carlisle combine their years of dance training in the Pioneer Valley, New York City, and Montreal with a special approach to teaching that gets kids reading, writing and dancing;  connecting, collaborating and creating.  It’s a holistic approach to dance.  In classes geared to children and teens of all ages, kids combine elements of what they imagine with what they observe to create movement that is inventive, entertaining, and deeply satisfying.

The Center. Where we’re not just spinning, we’re spinning stories.

321 Main Street Amherst MA
(right next door to Hope & Feathers Framing)