Business of the Week: The Edge of Dance, Mount Kisco
Kristen Jones was no different than many little girls, taking dance lessons from the time she was three years old and thoroughly enjoying the local school where she grew up in Johnson City, Tenn.
What set Jones apart was her love of dance and natural ability that saw her continue her instruction through competitions before heading to Virginia Intermont College to study dance. She eventually came to New York permanently after she completed college—the first time she appeared in the city was in 1992 at 11 years old when she performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade—to dance professionally and teach.
“When I was a kid I lived, ate and slept dance,” Jones recalled. “A lot of kids at my school were like that. It was a big competitions school. We loved it. We just wanted to be there. That’s all I wanted to do.”
Now Jones is looking to bring that same joy and benefits to children locally. Last September, Jones took the plunge and opened her own school, The Edge of Dance, on North Bedford Road in Mount Kisco. Soon completing its first school year, The Edge of Dance has provided children. as young as three years old with the basics of dance and older students from kindergarten into high school with instruction in various styles, including ballet, tap, pointe, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop, in its basement studio.
The school also has its own accomplished company of 15 dancers, serious students from 11 years old through high school who Jones has taught previously, that have competed this year in regional competitions in the tri-state area. Several of the company’s dancers will participate this summer in a national competition in Ohio.
Jones, who is not only The Edge of Dance’s owner but artistic director, teaches many of the classes. She is joined by instructor Desiree Errico, who teaches ballet, lyrical and pointe. Jones recently hired a hip-hop instructor and has guest faculty, something that the older and more accomplished students benefit from.
“I think it’s really important for the kids to learn and be exposed to different teachers and as many styles as possible, if they are interested in making dance a career, or even if they’re not, just to be more well rounded and be ready for competition,” Jones said.
While some parents may be eager to see their child progress at an early age with dreams of attaining that level, especially if they have exhibited early interest and ability, Jones cautions about pushing youngsters too hard too soon. She has seen professional dancers who didn’t start taking their first lessons until seven or eight years old.
“I don’t think there’s a specific age (to start),” she said. “I think the kid has to be old enough to want to do it. A lot of younger kids come in and Mommy wants them to start and they are not ready. Then again, I’ve had three-year-olds walk in and they’re ready to go and take the first position.”
Jones said the youngest students, the three- and four-year-olds, are introduced to formal dance training through one 45-minute session a week. Within six weeks, it is determined whether they have become acclimated to the class or need more time to mature.
There are also classes for children in grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5 and for middle school students, many of whom are recreational dancers who won’t go beyond a certain point.
“We’ve had a great year,” Jones said. “The kids are happy; the parents are happy. They’ve done exceptionally well. It’s a small studio but we’ve had a really great year.”
The Edge of Dance is located at 272 N. Bedford Rd. in Mount Kisco. For more information about upcoming classes and events and for registration for next year during the week of June 18, call Kristen Jones at 914-305-6706 or follow her on Facebook. Also, keep an eye out for the school’s website, www.theedgeofdance.com, which is currently under construction.
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
