At Dancing Through Life Studios we strive to be a studio that gives our adults more than just a dance class - we aim to build our adults into stronger dancers not only physically but mentally as well! We believe that spending time building our dancers technical terminology, foundational knowledge, and giving them education around dance, it provides them with the skills they need to become better dancers.
T E C H N I C A L T E R M I N O L O G Y
How many times have you been to a dance class where fancy French words have been thrown around in assumption that everyone in the room can speak a second language? - I have! And it's not fun. If the teacher had taken a second more to explain what they were referring to, then I can guarantee they wouldn't have had as many confused faces in the room. Some of which I'm sure didn't return after that class.
As I say to my dancers all the time - learning dance is like learning a new language!
At DTLS we understand that all of our adult dancers have come from many different dance backgrounds and have probably all been taught various different terminology. And others are absolute beginners! This provides an environment where all of the adults in the room are on the same page during our classes. By assuming everyone is learning together it creates a more supportive and positive environment.
I always encourage my dancers to speak up in class if they do not fully understand something, because 9 times out of 10, someone else is struggling with the same step! And if I as a teacher cannot explain it in a better or more understandable way...then what am I doing standing in front of a class? (I actually secretly love the challenge of finding new ways to make an explanation more digestible, because in turn it makes me become a better teacher!)
F O U N D A T I O N A L K N O W L E D G E
Like all things in life - if you don't understand how something works, it becomes harder to master it. And you are usually more likely to give up.
I find that once I start to build on my dancers technical terminology, then they start to slowly build up their dance vocabulary and I witness them piecing things together themselves. (Those are my proud teacher moments!!) With patience, time and understanding it is easy to allow your dancers to flourish.
D A N C E E D U C A T I O N
Why do I believe dance education is important?
I believe dance education is so important because it allows our dancers to deepen their understanding and in turn reach their full potential. Especially when the majority of our adults are taking classes as a hobby - I want them to get absolutely everything they can out of our classes!
That's why at DTLS we also offer DTLS TV Online Tutorial Classes and Dance Technique eBooks so our dancers can continue their learning outside of the "classroom"!
Continuing to learn and educate ourselves as we get older has so many health benefits (that is a separate blog in itself!). Self-education is essential and necessary for personal development and growth and who doesn't want to keep our brains fit!
Are you ready to become a more educated dancer?!
Join us as we Dance and Learn Through Life!
By Lauren MacKinnon
DTLS Founder & Studio Director
More About Our Education & Training
Read below about our DTLS Founder and Studio Director, Lauren MacKinnon. Find out how she first got into dance, her dance training and how DTLS came to be!
D A N C E T R A I N I N G
Lauren MacKinnon is the Founder of Dancing Through Life Studios. She is a certified Dance Teacher (with a background in Media and Marketing) who helps adults to rediscover their love of dance and improve their physical and mental health in the process.
Lauren MacKinnon has over 25 years of dance training and over 15 years of experience within the performing arts. Her love of dance started at the age of 4 learning classical ballet. Primarily a dancer in Jazz Ballet and Tap, she also has training with industry professionals dancing at Millennium Dance Complex (LA, California), Mad Dance House (Brisbane), Tap Dogs HQ (Bondi), Sydney Dance Company and Brent Street (Sydney) within the styles of Hip Hop, Jazz-Funk-Hip-Hop (JFH), Tap, Theatre Jazz and Contemporary.
After 10 years of teaching dance to children - it was time for her to focus on her bigger passion which has always been choreography and musical theatre. In 2013, she auditioned for Grease in the Ensemble with an amateur theatre company, thinking it was going to be a ‘one off’ performance - fast forward to 2024 and she has performed in and choreographed over 20 shows!
D A N C E T E A C H I N G
Lauren's love for dance teaching expanded during her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching degrees. She has taught at various dance schools in Sydney including Nova Studios, The Australian Institute of Performing Arts (AIPA), Groove Nation and Pistachio Entertainment. As well as choreographing musicals at North Shore schools - Ravenswood, Abbotsleigh, Loreto Normanhurst and Northern Beaches Christian School - as well as local theatre companies.
C H O R E O G R A P H Y E X P E R I E N C E
Lauren's choreography and production works include The Producers (Assistant Choreographer, HMS, 2014), The Wedding Singer (Choreographer, HMS, 2016), Shrek JR The Musical (Production Assistant, Ravenswood School For Girls, 2017), The Little Mermaid (Choreographer, Northern Beachers Christain School, 2018) and High School Musical: On Stage (Choreographer, NBCS, 2019), Wicked (Choreographer, Abbotsleigh, 2021), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Choreographer, BTC, 2021), The Boy From Oz (Choreographer, BTC, 2022), Matilda JR (Choreographer, Loreto Normanhurst, 2022), Into The Woods (Chorographer, Abbotsleigh, 2023), The Addams Family (Co-Choreographer, NSTC, 2023), and Heathers (Co-Choreographer, BTC, 2023).
C R E A T I O N O F D T L S
Dancing Through Life Studios was initially created as a dance studio for musical theatre performers to have a local dance studio to attend where they could brush up on their technique before auditions or to maintain their skills in-between shows.
However as the studio began to grow Lauren was surprised at the number of adults who were just like her. Adults who wanted a dance studio that was dedicated just to adults, that was close to home, that was non-competitive, that had a variety of different classes, that had a fun social environment, that was great value for money and where performances were non-compulsory!
When she reflects on her life - through her school years, to uni life and working career - dance had always been her constant. Not only had it been her main source for physical exercise but it was her happy place where she could be free to truly express herself.
"It’s unfortunate that as adults we often neglect the hobbies that we once loved as a child. My hope is that Dancing Through Life Studios becomes a studio that allows adults to reconnect or discover their love of dance."
After 5 years - Dancing Through Life Studios is so much more than anything she could have ever imagined. It has become a family of adult dancers from all walks of life who love to learn, socialise, get fit and enjoy dance. We would like to take this time to thank each and every one of our dancers for making DTLS more than a place to dance but a welcoming, non-judgemental, safe space, for other adults to rediscover their love of dance.
W H A T Y O U C AN E X P E C T A T D T L S
Experience the difference at Dancing Through Life Studios! Led by dance teacher and choreographer extraordinaire, Lauren MacKinnon.
Our studio prides itself on our unique social atmosphere we provide to our dancers. We are more than just a dance studio but a community of adults who have a love of music, theatre and dance. Our Studio Classes are relaxed, fun and inclusive, and provide more than just a dance class but a well-rounded knowledge of dance genres, technical terminology, and useful skills.
We are passionate about making a difference in our dancers’ lives, by encouraging, inspiring and empowering their individual dance journeys. We welcome all levels of dancers from Absolute Beginners (and we mean Absolute Beginners) through to Advanced dancers. With classes in; Adult Tap, Adult Jazz, Adult Theatre Jazz, Adult Hip Hop, Adult Dance Fit, Adult Latin Fusion, Adult Heels, and Dance Choreography there is something for everyone!
Dancing Through Life Studios is the answer to all of your dance dreams! Whether you are looking to learn a new skill, refine your technique, explore your creative potential, improve your fitness, or meet new friends.
And no you aren’t too old and it’s never too late to take up dancing!
Also did we mention…there is no lycra, no costume fees, no extra weekend rehearsals, or no compulsory performances!
"My dream is, for DTLS to be a place where adults from all walks of life can come to dance while encouraging, inspiring and empowering others through dance." - Lauren MacKinnon
Join us in Dancing Through Life today.
Dancing Through Life Studios
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