Meet The Staff at Positions Dance Studio!

When it comes to dance in Babylon and the surrounding areas, we know our dance families have options. From location to class options, there are tons of factors to consider when choosing a studio. Among the many reasons why you should choose Positions is our amazing, wonderful, showstopping staff!

Did you know… ALL of our instructors have Positions history or roots here in Babylon?! We feel pretty lucky to have a group of teachers who are connected to our community. Aside from being excellent role models for our students, they bring warmth, passion, and dedication to the studio year-round.

So today on the blog, it’s time to meet the staff! 

Miss Kelly - Owner & Director

How long have you been at Positions?
30 years! I started dancing here when I was 3 and I am now the proud owner and director of Positions!
What is your favorite Positions memory?
As a student growing up, my favorite memories were any of our recitals and performances. We would get to hang out with our dance friends, do each other's hair, and eat Twizzlers all day :) As a teacher and studio owner, I love getting to travel with my students and make fantastic memories!
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
I am also President of the Chamber of Commerce, so I try really hard to spread the love and support all of our businesses. Some of my favorite places to shop are Roomors and Ooh La La, and one of my favorite restaurants is The Brixton.
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
Our current staff has known each other for so long, so we are all friends and truly feel like a dance family. I believe that comes across to our students and their families -they see that Positions is a fun, friendly place to be, and we hope that they feel immediately welcomed into the family.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I am a huge history buff, and I used to teach high school social studies before I decided to run the studio full time.

Miss Jillian - Artistic Director

How long have you been at Positions?
I’ve been teaching at Positions for 12 years. 
What is your favorite Positions memory?
I loved going to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans! I had always wanted to visit that city and it was a wonderful balance of rehearsal/performance time and adventure time. I especially liked the swamp tour I went on with Miss Kelly’s husband, Kevin! We saw some cool stuff!
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
Molto Vino OR Horace and Silvia’s (but Cold Stone holds a special place in my heart).
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
Everyone is extremely nice and encouraging with one another. I appreciate that it is not a competitive atmosphere amongst students. It’s very welcoming!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I love splits!

Miss Samantha - Instructor

How long have you been at Positions?
I started dancing at positions as a kid because my cousins danced here in 2004, so that would be 17 years so far! Now I’m an instructor here!
What is your favorite Positions memory?
My favorite memory at Positions was getting to perform in Disney World with all of my best friends. We got to perform in Disney Springs, take a class with a real Disney World performer and even got to see a little bit of "backstage Disney". To top it all off, I got to spend the whole week in Disney with my closest friends. 
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
Swell Taco, other than Positions of course! 
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
I love how accepting and non-judgmental the environment at Positions is. I have been a part of the Positions dance family for a pretty long time, as have many other teachers here and I love the connection that we all have because of it. We all always have each other's backs, and want each other to do great things. As teachers we make it a priority to make our students feel comfortable and able to express themselves through dance and I think that that's really important. 
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
A fun fact about me is that I love to bake! I started baking with my mom when I was little and in my free time I like to try new recipes and share them with my friends. I enjoy baking cookies a lot of the time, but I have also made some pretty cool birthday cakes for family and friends. 

Miss Carly - Instructor

How long have you been at Positions?
I started dancing at Positions when I was 16, and now I am 20 and back at the studio teaching for my second year here! 
What is your favorite Positions memory?
My favorite memory was when Positions went to Memphis to dance in the Liberty Bowl. I got to travel with my dance best friends and have a great time in Memphis dancing!
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
I love coming to Babylon to get dinner at Swell Taco or Del Fuego and then walk around to see all of the amazing small businesses. 
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
I love how supportive our dance studio is. At Positions you find friends for life that constantly support and encourage you, whether they are your teachers or fellow dancers. 
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
After Positions I continued dancing through college and now have a BFA in Dance! 

Miss Dominique - Instructor

How long have you been at Positions?
I danced at Positions until I graduated high school and I’ve taught here for 9 years now! 
What is your favorite Positions memory?
A few years ago, a large group of seniors graduated. They were the first group I had for several years. It was such a pleasure to witness them grow as dancers, friends, and all around beautiful humans. Seeing them grow together and graduate together was incredibly special!
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
The Brixton, and Positions dance studio, of course! ;)
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
The genuine support and love for one another!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I competed in hurdles at nationals for my high school track team.

Miss Emily - Instructor

How long have you been at Positions?
I started dancing at Positions when I was 3 years old! 
What is your favorite Positions memory?
My favorite memory is my senior year dance recital. Recitals are always so exciting! I was a dancer and a teacher during that recital and I loved every second. 
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
So many choices, but I do love Del Fuego! 
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
Positions fosters a love for dance. I love watching some of my past dance students develop into beautiful dancers as they get older.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I taught in Ghana, West Africa for a few weeks when I was in college! 

Karen - Office Staff

How long have you been at Positions?
I have been at Positions for 17 years. Both of my daughters danced here for many years and I have worked here for several years as well.
What is your favorite Positions memory?
My favorite memories are always the recitals.
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
Roomers!
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
We all get along and help each other out.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I love Disco music!

Linda - Office Staff

How long have you been at Positions?
About 20 years!
What is your favorite Positions memory?
Going to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
What is your favorite spot or small business in Babylon?
Roomors!
What do you love most about the Positions dance family?
Everyone is so kind.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
My favorite sport to watch is ice hockey.

Well there you have it, our staff here at Positions is pretty amazing! When it comes to dance in Babylon, you can’t beat our team of amazing instructors and office staff. 

All of our staff is beyond pumped to kick off our 2021/2022 Dance Classes in just a few short weeks! If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to save your child’s spot today! Our staff can’t wait to welcome you! 

How We Are Safely Returning to the Studio

Positions Families, the time has finally come! The moment we’ve ALL been waiting for: a return to in-studio classes at Positions! For months, our staff has been saying that we CAN’T wait to be back in the studio with our dancers. Now that we are preparing to do so, the excitement is building, but this big step is certainly not one we take lightly. 

During all the chaos these past couple of months, one thing has always stayed the same. Your safety is our number one priority. Our staff is busy transforming our facility and re-thinking our procedures to ensure that our students are safe when they walk in our doors. We are dedicated to you and our responsibility to the community. 

As we accept enrollment for our fall and summer classes, we have put together a new set of policies that we’d like all of our families to take note of. The studio experience may look a little different than years past, but we are confident that it will be a great one.  

How We are Safely Returning to the Studio: 

1. Limiting Class Sizes

To ensure that there is room in our studios for proper social distancing, our class’ capacity numbers will be smaller than usual. If classes fill and there are dancers interested in joining, we will open new classes to ensure that our families get the classes they need. 

With limited class sizes in mind, be sure to view our schedule and register before your preferred class time fills up! 

2. Now Requiring Pre-Registration for All Adult Classes

Adult classes are being offered in-person (outdoors) and on Zoom. Due to limited class sizes to allow for social distancing, we are utilizing a new software to ensure that our drop-in adult dance/fitness classes do not exceed capacity limits. We’ve made it easy for you! Just visit our website and click the registration link next to the class you’d like to attend. 

Those who previously purchase class cards will be able to reactivate them. Please contact the studio to unfreeze your account! Our Summer 2020 Adult Classes run from July 20th - August 28th. View the schedule today! 

3. Drop-Off Only Policy

For all students over the age of 5 years old, parents will not be allowed in the studio to watch class or relax in the lobby. You will have the option to remotely view class via the Zoom Links posted in the parent portal. Parents of preschool children may accompany them inside and occasionally check on class, but we ask that you rotate your time in the lobby. This change was made in order to reduce the amount of people in our space at any given time. 

4. Hand sanitizer and temperature checks at the door!

When arriving at our facility, your student will be greeted by a Positions staff member who will use a touchless thermometer to check the temperature of each dancer before. We’ve also added hand sanitizing stations at the entrance, which will be mandatory for all dancers to use. 

5. Now Requiring Masks to Enter

Students must wear a mask while entering or exiting the building. However, the mask is not required while dancing. Need a mask? We’ve designed special Positions Dance Studio masks for our dancers who are ready to enter in style! Stop by our dance store to get yours today!  

6. Now Requiring Props for Ages 5+

In order to keep our surfaces free from cross-contamination, all dancers ages 5+ are required to bring a yoga mat and hand towel to class. View our graphic below to double-check that your child has everything they need!

Positions Dance Studio is now offering special, branded back to dance packages! Take 20% off when you purchase all 3 items!

7. Socially Distant Dancing! 

We’ve prepped our studio from top to bottom - literally! Our dance floors are now equipped with floor stickers for our dancer’s feet, surrounded by individual, taped boxes. 6 feet apart, but dancing together! 

8. A Revamped Cleaning Schedule

Our staff will be sanitizing high traffic areas such as barres, doorknobs, and bathrooms between each class. Heavy-duty cleaning will be done at the end of the night to prepare for the next day of classes. 

As you can see, we’ve put great thought and detail into our back-to-studio planning. We’re committed to a safe return to the studio. The safety of our dancers, families, and staff is always number one on our list. Be well, and we can’t wait to see you at the studio!

Positions Happenings: Take a Look at our March Newsletter

Now that our Positions dancers have finished LEAPING for Leap Day, it’s officially time to MARCH into March! Loving our cheesy puns? Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty more headed your way in the months to come! :) 

As we head into Spring, we’ve got TONS of fun coming up. Between Spring Musical, Recital 2020, and Summer Dance, Positions Dance Studio will be keeping you and your little ones busy for the next few months! 

Don’t miss a beat! We are sharing our March Newsletter to keep all the important and exciting details right at your fingertips! 

1. It’s Kindness Month at Positions.

During the whole month of March, we are celebrating kindness. Look for some special initiatives around the studio and activities in classes. It is our hope that our students know the value of kindness and continue to spread it within their community! 

2. Register for Summer Dance Today! 

Have you had a chance to check out our summer schedule? We have a FUN mix of classes, workshops, intensives, and camps on the schedule. Between our Positions Poppin’ Positions Summer Camp, our 6-Week Class Session, and our Rockettes Workshop, there is something for every child this summer!

Promo Alert: Use the code EARLYBIRD20 Get 10% off Summer Tuition when you register before April 30th! Don’t miss out on a summer of FUN! Get registered here today!

3. Spring Musical Tickets are On Sale Now!

Positions students will be presenting Frozen Kids at the Argyle Theatre. We are excited to see Elsa and Anna’s adventures come to life in this production! Our students have been working hard to put it all together and would love to see you in the audience.

Join us on April 26th at 2pm! Purchase tickets online today! 

4. Don’t miss our most recent Recital 2020 updates.

Have you added Recital 2020 to your calendar yet? We can’t wait to see our dancers take the stage on June 28th! Tickets go on sale March 15-18. 

We know our dance parents have a lot to remember! So we’ve created a Recital Info Page that keeps all the important info in one place. Below are some of the latest updates we’ve added to our website:

Show Order Details
Photo Day Schedules
Dress Rehearsal Schedule

5. Reserve your spot for Spring Meditation and Mimosas on March 22nd.

Join us for a special workshop on March 22nd at 12:30pm. During this relaxing class, guests will enjoy meditation, healthy snacks, and mimosas. 

Spring Mediation & Mimosas
Sunday 3/22 12:30-1:30pm
$30/ person (non-refundable)
Call 631-669-8612 to reserve your spot today!

6. Reserve your spot for our Foam Roll, Stretch, and Myofascial Massage Workshop.

Got aches and pains? Join us for this special workshop on March 27. Class will feature guided foam roll massages, stretches, and techniques that release stiff muscles. 

Foam Roll, Stretch, and Myofascial Release Workshop
Friday 3/27 8:15-9:00pm
$40/ person (non-refundable)
Foam rollers will be provided!
Call 631-669-8612 to reserve your spot today!

7. Spring Break is April 11-17.

The studio will be closed April 11-17. Enjoy your break! Be sure to make some time to rest and recharge before we head into recital season! 

8. Don’t miss Babylon Village’s 9th Annual Chinese Auction.

On Wednesday, March 11th at 6pm, join the community for a fun night of raffle, coffee, tea, and desserts! Learn more and purchase tickets here. 

9. Hurry in! The Everything Long Sleeved Sale ends on March 15th!

Be sure to stop by our dancewear store to take advantage of this awesome sale. All long-sleeved items are 35% off through 3/15. This is a great time to stock up on dance wear!

10. You’re Invited to a Hydrafacial Party on March 25th!

Deep Blue Med Spa has created an exclusive event for Positions parents and we could not be more excited! Add a little pampering to your life. At this event, guests will enjoy mini HydraFacial treatments, raffle baskets, demos, and exclusive offers. 

See you at Deep Blue Med Spa on March 25th at 7pm! Be sure to RSVP here. 

What an exciting list! We absolutely love offering such a wide variety of events, promotions, and opportunities for our dancers. Happy March, everyone. Don’t forget to spread kindness around the studio this month!