WAXHAW, NC – As August begins, Waxhaw families are looking toward the new school year. With the necessities of Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, plus extracurriculars, schedules are filling fast. A dance class with a new studio in Waxhaw, Meredith Lane Dancers, should make a great addition to any calendar.
Owner Meredith Orrell has a passion for making dance accessible to all who are interested. “Dance is for everyone,” Orrell asserts. “It’s a great way to get the whole family moving and having fun.” To make this belief a reality, Meredith Lane Dancers offers a variety of styles across convenient class times.
“We have classes for lyrical, musical theater, hip hop, jazz and creative movement for kids. We also provide classes in jazz and strength/flexibility for adults,” Orrell informs. “I work with students no matter their age, skill or ability. Our strength/flexibility classes can be essential for people with bad backs, weak knees, and underworked cores.”
To see a complete schedule of classes and options, readers can consult the Meredith Lane Dancers Facebook or Instagram pages. “We do our best to work with our students. For example, we offer our adult strength/flexibility classes over Zoom. This way the studio is sure to offer a class that can be worked into even the busiest of schedules,” Orrell concludes.
Orrell knows how important dance is to many aspects of life. “I believe dance classes provide students not only a place to learn dance skills, but also life skills,” Orrell explains. “To be a successful dancer, a student needs to be diligent, focused, and team-oriented. These character traits might be learned in a dance studio, but they will create a well-rounded and driven individual when it comes to the world outside of one.”
“If you develop these skills and understand their importance in a creative, fun activity that you enjoy – they cement into personality traits that can be employed a variety of ways later in life,” Orrell continues. “Dance is also often overlooked as a sport that encourages teamwork and desiring the best for those around you. It’s a mindset of cooperation and support that allows a routine to come out smoothly, safely, and as it was intended.”
These beliefs are why Orrell desires to make recreational dance a family activity. “Dancing is not only my passion, but also is in my blood. My mother had her own studio. Her love for the sport allowed my sister and I to grow up dancing,” Orrell shares. “For me, dancing is about enjoyment and engagement. That is why my studio focuses on recreational dance styles. Competitive dance has a lot of value, but recreational can be for all ages. Waxhaw has a positive, family-oriented atmosphere which fits the kind of studio we are.”
Orrell hopes her Waxhaw presence will be able to expand her studio and grow the passion for dance in others. “Right now, it’s our first year and we’re small. Parteez has been amazing, letting us rent space from them, and we’re excited to welcome our dancers there. In the future, I would like to have a full-fledged studio. I want to create a place where dancers from the age of two to seventy-two can have a community that is engaging and serves entire families.”
The Meredith Lane Dancers Studio will be hosting an open house event in their studio space at Parteez (27292 Waxhaw Parkway, Suite A) on August 16th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. There will be food provided and a gift basket giveaway. Plus, guests will get to meet the instructors from Meredith Lane Dancers Studio. If readers are unable to attend the open house, they can find more information and sign up for classes at www.meredithlanedancers.com.
