Our
Philosophy
At Studio Chassé, we focus on the artistry of dance. Body positivity, self-confidence, and the joy of movement are the foundation of our teaching. We strive to create a space for inclusion and colorfulness, celebrating people from all walks of life and giving them a place to express themselves through the joy of movement. We nurture and grow creativity by providing a safe, encouraging, non-competitive environment.
Our goal is to have choreography and dancers that tell a story through their movement, not just perform multiple turns and tricks. We want the audience, as well as our dancers to feel something with each performance. Our choreography is unique and creative. We dance to express, not to impress.
Whether you are just starting, have taken dance for many years, or wanting to jump back in after a break, Studio Chassé has a class for you. No matter your size, shape, or level of experience - EVERY BODY can chase their dreams at Studio Chassé.
Why choose Studio Chassé?
Qualified, Passionate Instructors - Our Owner/Artistic Director, Michelle Hutcherson Cooper, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theater and Dance from James Madison University. She has 41 years of dance experience, 30 years of experience teaching dance in a small studio setting, 9 years of experience teaching P.E. and music to preschoolers, and 12 years teaching dance at the college level. Instructors are brought onto the staff only if they display extraordinary talent with children, share the same dance beliefs (i.e. body positivity, every body is a dancers body,, etc.) and go through a teacher training program under the direction of the owner.
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Consistent Quality - At Studio Chassé, we are dedicated to providing a high quality dance education to all of our students regardless of their age, size, ability, or commitment level. A beginning level dancer in the studio once a week is just as important to us as our advanced students who are part of Studio Chassé Ensemble. Body positivity, self-confidence, and the joy of movement are the foundation of our teaching.
Unique Choreography - Our goals is to have choreography and dancers that tell a story through their movement, not just perform multiple turns and tricks. We want the audience, as well as our dancers to feel something with each movement/performance. Our choreography is unique and creative and not your typical "cookie cutter" dance studio choreography.
More of what sets us apart:
- Our foundation is built on the concepts of dance, not just one genre of dance (i.e. ballet).
- Body positivity, self-confidence, and the joy of movement are at the foundation of our teaching.
- Our youngest dancers - Budding Artists Program - start out with Little Leapers, Bounce N Boogie, & Dance Discovery. These classes are not strictly ballet, tap & jazz. We introduce dance using music, singing, props, stories, and creativity to activate imagination, increase body awareness, enhance socialization, and establish sense of joy through movement. Movement develops a young dancer's physical capabilities but at the same time it is building sensory perceptions and critical pathways in the brain necessary to reach a dancer's full potential.
- Dancers in our youngest classes - Little Leapers, Bounce N Boogie, & Dance Discovery - do NOT need to be potty trained in order to participate in class.
- We offer hip hop and musical theatre in our jazz syllabus.​​
- Beginning/Intermediate teens and adults have their own level of classes where they can feel more comfortable and learn at the correct pace.
- We offer a relaxed dress code (leotard and tights not required), helping dancers that have a sensory processing disorder, those who are neuro-divergent, or those who identify as LGBTQ+.
- We try to keep costumes under $35 ($45 for Ensemble) and choose items that dancers can wear again on or off the stage.
- A semester at Studio Chassé is a 12-week commitment and if you are not participating in the showcase you do not attend or pay for studio showcase rehearsals & stage rehearsals.
- Our showcases are geared towards the dancers, not the parents. Dancers are allowed to quietly sit in the audience and watch the showcase rather than being held backstage for 2 + hours.
- Jazz 1, 2, & 3 are immediately before Youth, Junior, and Intermediate Ensemble, allowing all dancers to be properly warmed up for one hour of learning choreography.
- Advanced Contemporary Modern is immediately before Elite Ensemble allowing all dancers to be properly warmed up for an hour of strictly choreography.
- Ensemble members and dancers at Studio Chassé are allowed and encouraged to take dance classes at other studios. We feel the more classes you get from different teachers and different studios, the better! (Please note that our Studio Chassé policy is that a member of Ensemble may NOT be a member of a performing/ competition company at another studio.)
- Tuition is auto paid in installments each semester, making it easy and affordable for parents.