Dancers are known for thinking on their feet and being adaptable, so it’s no surprise that the students of Ovation Studios are making good use of their extra time at home with continued dance lessons. Ovation Studios in Carthage, Missouri teaches over 300 students dance, tumbling, and baton twirling classes each week. In response to COVID-19, on March 23rd Ovation Studios launched “Ovation Online” converting their full class schedule into live online classes. Students have now completed 7 weeks of online classes and are preparing for their Red Carpet Recital Experience at the end of the month.
Ovation Studios owner and director, Melanie Perkins, was quick to put the extra time and effort into getting the virtual classes ready to be launched within just four short days. The teaching staff immediately jumped on board working hard to make the transition to broadcasting their classes live online.
“I have been so proud of the dedication our staff has shown to their students during this time. Teaching classes virtually has been a major change for everyone and our staff has done a fantastic job with this drastic change,” Perkins said. “We are extremely thankful for the support of our studio families and our community. We work with some great families.”
During a time many small businesses have been faced with closures the studio has been able to continue operations and keep all 14 staff and instructors employed. They have also been able to grant several families faced with income loss with scholarships so students could continue with their classes.
Along with the live classes, the studio has been providing their students with weekly bonus classes and content to keep them engaged with their teachers and studio friends during their time at home. Their advanced students have had the opportunity to take live online classes with guests instructors from New York and LA, while younger students have been treated with live story time sing-a-longs with princesses like Elsa and Anna. The Ovation Studios instructors have also hosted online craft times, dance parties, and games.
The studio was scheduled to host its annual year-end recital on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Although they are unable to host this large event this year, it was important to Perkins be able to provide the Ovation students with a strong finish to their season. After some creative restructuring, last week the studio announced their new Red Carpet Recital Experience, a reimagined recital for this year. Working within the current restrictions for social distancing and building capacities, students will have an opportunity to perform their recital dances and routines May 26-June 2. Classes will perform one class at a time for a small audience while the rest of their friends and family watch from home via live stream.
“Recital is what our students work for all year. It is the highlight of our year,” Perkins said. “This year is going to be quite different; we are going to be having recital pictures, dress rehearsal, and performance all in one day. We are thrilled to be providing a positive ending to our year during a time where students have faced so much disappointment.”
What parents are saying
“The whole point of joining dance was for my daughter to socialize. She showed a whole new side of herself during the online class due to it being in the comfort of her home and she did awesome. Plus she told me all her friends were “in” her playroom and told me their names. Very proud mom and so thankful for Ovation Studios’ hard work on helping these kids finish strong!”
“Many thanks for all of your preparation and planning given to offering the online dance classes to your students. My granddaughters have thoroughly enjoyed dancing with you online. We appreciate you!”
“The last several weeks have been so difficult for my daughter having to stay home, it has been so great for her to have some sense of normalcy still being able to attend dance online and see her friends.”
