Business Details
28 Years
experience
Premier Dance School in Greenville, MI
Flat River Dance Company was founded in 1998 to provide quality dance education through diverse styles including ballet, jazz, and contemporary. Under new ownership since 2008 by professional dancers Miranda Haywood and Joseph Curry, the studio expanded its curriculum to include advanced techniques and full-length ballet productions. The company emphasizes community engagement through performances at local festivals, school collaborations, and fundraising initiatives.Faculty members bring extensive professional experience from national ballet companies and universities, fostering student participation in prestigious summer programs and college dance departments. The studio serves ages 3-19 with adult yoga and ballroom classes, maintaining a reputation for excellence in West Michigan's dance education landscape.
Services
Ballet Classes
Jazz Dance
Contemporary Dance
Hip Hop Instruction
Pointe Training
Pre-Ballet
Creative Movement
Adult Yoga
Ballroom Dance
Summer Intensives
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of professional dance instruction in Greenville, MI
- Our faculty includes former Grand Rapids Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet performers
- We provide summer intensives with live musical collaborations
- Our students have attended American Ballet Theater and Joffrey Ballet programs
- We maintain a 4:1 student-teacher ratio for personalized instruction
What people say
Very professional and friendly
Highly knowledgeable instructors
Amazing community involvement
Phenomenal with children
Quality education
Services
Ballet Classes
Our ballet program trains students in classical technique from beginner to advanced levels. Certified instructors with professional backgrounds provide personalized instruction in pointe work, variations, and performance preparation. Classes emphasize proper alignment, musicality, and artistic expression through structured curriculum for ages 5-18.
Jazz Dance
Contemporary jazz instruction focuses on rhythmic precision, dynamic isolations, and performance energy. Classes incorporate Broadway-style choreography and commercial dance techniques for students aged 6-18. Beginner through advanced levels develop versatility in multiple jazz styles for stage and competition settings.
Summer Intensives
Five-week summer programs combine technical training with performance preparation for ages 3-18. Specialized tracks include ballet/contemporary, jazz/hip hop, and themed camps for younger children. Participants rehearse for festival performances while receiving master classes from guest artists and university faculty.
Adult Yoga
All-levels yoga instruction blends traditional asanas with modern wellness practices. Certified instructors focus on alignment, injury prevention, and stress reduction through vinyasa and hatha styles. Classes accommodate diverse physical abilities while emphasizing mind-body connection in a supportive community environment.
Competitive Teams
Audition-based teams receive advanced training in choreography, stagecraft, and collaborative performance. Participants compete regionally while developing technical proficiency in multiple dance genres. The program emphasizes artistic growth, teamwork, and professional presentation standards through annual full-length productions.
People
Miranda Haywood
Executive Director & Dance Instructor
Former Grand Rapids Ballet performer with 25+ years teaching experience. Developed curriculum integrating professional dance techniques. Recipient of Womans Action Network Woman of the Year award in 2024 for community service.
Joseph Curry
Artistic Director & Dance Instructor
Professional dancer with Charlotte Ballet and Moving Poets Theatre. Choreographed full-length ballets including The Nutcracker and The Wizard of Oz. Created outreach programs for multiple regional dance companies and schools.
Alexandria Gilbertson
Dance Instructor
Professional dancer and choreographer with BA in Dance from Grand Valley State University. Teaching jazz and hip hop since 2018, with Broadway performance experience and featured roles in company productions.
Mary Beth Orr
Yoga Instructor
Classically trained musician with 300+ hour yoga certification. Specializes in therapeutic alignment and adaptive practices for diverse abilities. Combines musicality with movement instruction for holistic wellness education.
Jessi Osterman
Office Manager
Financial services professional with 12 years banking experience. Holds Master's degrees in Organizational Leadership and Finance. Manages administrative operations while supporting student and parent engagement.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, variations, pre-ballet, and creative movement classes for ages 3-19, plus adult yoga and ballroom dance.
Are there performance opportunities?
Yes! Students participate in annual productions, summer festivals, and community events including the Danish Festival and Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts.
Do you offer summer programs?
Our summer intensives include ballet/contemporary camps, jazz/hip hop sessions, and themed camps for younger children with performance opportunities in August.
What are class sizes?
We maintain a 4:1 student-teacher ratio with assistant instructors in most classes to ensure personalized attention and safe technique development.
How do I register?
Online registration is available through our website. Contact us directly for placement recommendations or special needs accommodations.
Are there competitive teams?
Yes, we offer audition-based competitive teams focusing on advanced choreography and performance skills for regional competitions and special productions.
