Curious About Class at Studio K? Get a Structural Overview

By: Hannah Zwemer

Wow! It’s been a crazy year. Deepest and sincerest apologies for the abrupt and lengthy pause between posts. I’m pretty sure the last time I blinked it was the summer and the new location had just opened, and now it’s almost 2027? 

In any case, for this month’s blog, we thought we’d try something a little different and give you a sort of POV of what it’s like to take a class here at Studio K, courtesy of yours truly! While I might be the slightest bit biased, I also have 20+ years of dance class experiences to draw from, and I can confidently claim that no other studio holds a candle to this one.

If you’ve been curious to check out a class, but were holding off ‘til you got more of the nitty-gritty details and a little lay of the land, this one’s for you. You’ve checked out the schedule, read about the overall experiences of a handful of our instructors and members, and even seen the class choreo on social media  – now it’s time to “take” a class, right where you are. Don’t worry, you’re in good hands.

Looking for the best and most affordable adult dance classes in the Central FL area? Look no further than Studio K - check out our schedule of classes to find one that speaks to you!

Driving & Arriving: First Impressions

We touched on this in our last blog detailing the specs of our new place, but the location is both convenient and painless to get to. No busy downtown or touristy traffic, no confusing U-turns or hard-to-find storefronts; just a couple turns off a major roadway and numerous parking spots to choose from. Don’t let the immediate parking lot fool you - you can safely park within steps of the front door on the well-lit street parking surrounding the entirety of our lot, or even in the parking lot across the street from our building - also safely within steps away.  

Once you’ve parked, you find your way to the main studio entrance (located in the center of our 2100 building) where you’re immediately engulfed in a cozy, inviting atmosphere – complete with mood lighting, a seasonal candle, and a warm, “Welcome!” from the friendly face behind the desk. And since our new space allows for a proper separate lobby, the transition between arriving for class and being in class is much more distinct. Allowing you the time you need to use one of our in-house restrooms and change after work, or just leave the rest of your day at the door and get in your body without the overstimulating cacophony of overlapping conversations competing with the previous class’s soundtrack.

So, find a seat, strike up a conversation, move through some basic stretches, sit on the floor with Bella, our favorite studio pup. (my personal top choice…when I’m not already running five minutes behind…), or do whatever else you need to prepare for class to start!

(Dance) Class is in Session!

Now, it’s time to dance! You grab your things and head into the studio. And if you’re like me, and you’re a lifelong dancer who has been in and out of many different studio spaces, you’ll likely see through heart eyes and happy tears when you get that first glimpse. ‘Cus no jokes, y’all: between the butter-smooth finish of that massive floor, the wall of full-length mirrors, and the inviting aura created from the combination of soft lighting and the giant gold disco ball displayed like a star above it all, I couldn’t actually tell you what I love the most.

Once you’ve put your things in the cubbies off the side of the floor, you’re welcome to find a spot on the floor to continue warming up until the instructor signals that it’s time to begin!

General Dance Class Structure

I’ve taken many classes here at Studio K – Burlesque Groove, Contemporary, Musical Theater, Tap, and Jazz, to name a few – and virtually every one follows the same general structure:

Short Warm-Up

Think head and shoulder rolls, arm circles, various leg stretches, and sometimes a little cardio to get your blood pumping and your body warm! 

Pre-Choreo Movement Practice/Choreo Explanation 

Due to the wide range of classes we offer, the next chunk of class could look a little different depending on the day, the instructor, and even sometimes the specifics of that class! 

In some classes I’ve taken, the instructor has us do a couple technique exercises across the floor to get our bodies tuned to moving a certain way. In others, we learn a little about the inspiration behind the dance we’re learning that day so we can better connect the movement to the meaning or the music. And sometimes, we just dive right into the choreography so we have as much time as possible to absorb, enjoy and perfect the movement.

Learn the Choreography

This is, of course, standard to most dance classes: you learn a series of specific movements to a certain song. Because classes are only ever an hour (or 1.5 hours max in the case of a workshop), you needn’t worry about cramming a whole song’s worth of choreography into your brain and body – most of the dances we learn are right around the one minute mark. 

Worried about being a slow learner? Try not to; ‘cus girl, same. Every instructor that I’ve ever had the pleasure of taking class from has not only been incredibly friendly and eager to answer any and all questions you may have (and if you know me, you know I usually have a whole list), but they approach the instruction slowly and in parts. As dance is usually counted in eights, and the most information you’ll ever learn at once will be one single count of eight. Often, the instructor shows three or four counts slowed down and goes over and over those counts until everyone feels comfortable.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Once all of the choreography has been effectively taught and practiced intermittently with the song, the rest of class is repetition. This is the time to synthesize things between your mind and body and the flow with the music, and to preserve energy and your body’s safety, you’ll likely be asked to “mark” (or minimally perform the movements) to really cement things without completely gassing yourself out. 

By now, the class’s hour is nearly over and not only have you worked up a sweat, but your body has released those feel-good endorphins that come solely from physical exertion (and not ever from just lying on the couch and willing them into existence…speaking from personal experience; science can be a real bummer).

Finally, the (Optional) Recording

And in what feels like a mere blink of an eye, or the wiping of sweat from your brow, it’s just about time to head out. But not before we capture all of the beautiful choreography and hard work on video! 

I’m not sure (or honestly, just can’t remember) if dance classes always used to be this way, but over the last few years before I found Studio K, I noticed dancers setting up their phones against walls or water bottles to record themselves performing the finished dance. A bit awkward and performance shy myself, I never usually felt comfortable doing the same because I wasn’t as confident or sure of myself as everyone around me. 

Studio K was the first dance studio I had ever visited that had a final recording built into the structure of nearly every single class (fitness/stretch-based classes as the only exception!). The normalized regularity not only exposed me to the idea of filming my class performance, but it helped to boost my confidence and encouraged me to reframe recording as a way to remember the super cool dance I just learned, and not something to scrutinize and compare and overanalyze. Because, really, life is hard enough without the added sprinkle of self-loathing – especially after you’ve put yourself out there, busted your butt, and learned something new. 

But, if the thought of dancing in front of a recording iPhone makes your knees tremble, you don’t ever have to. Kristin likes to film every class so that we can see how good we really are and hold a tangible memory of the hard work we put in, but also so Studio K can share it on our socials so new people can also discover the cool stuff going on here! However, you always have the option to step out and not be recorded at any time, and Studio K also kindly Airdrops the video at the end of class to anyone who wants it as an extra courtesy so you have your very own copy as well to share or to just to hold onto! 

Leave With a Longing to Come Again

And with that, your evening self-care sweat sesh is complete! Some classes might have just enough time left at the end to do some cool down work, but sometimes we run out the clock before there’s time for a guided wind-down. Luckily, we have that gorgeous lobby that can double as a zen stretch-and-lower-your-heart-rate zone before saying goodbye, so you leave feeling refreshed and relaxed and ready for whatever the rest of the evening awaits you. Also, don’t forget to visit the red carpet area to snap your first Studio K selfie and sign our Guest Book to leave your special fingerprint on our legacy! 

There are a lot of reasons to choose Studio K as your local Orlando dance studio: unbeatable class pricing, constantly changing array of unique styles, a seriously dope new studio and dance floor big enough to sprint across, and so much more. 

But, what I find the most compelling – the thing that sets us apart from all the rest – is the inherent genuineness that seeps through every facet of this business. From the marketing materials, to the studio tagline, to the setup and construction of the space itself, Studio K radiates authenticity. A kind and welcoming community that doesn’t feel fake or performative or like it’s trying to be anything other than what it is: a place where everyone is welcome and anyone feels like they’re right where they’re supposed to be, right where they belong.

Your Home Away from Home

I fell in love with dance when I was a toddler. “Sorry, I can’t; I have dance” defined my adolescence and young adulthood, but as I got older it wasn’t just difficult to fit into a busy work schedule and the responsibilities that accrue with every new year, it was difficult to find a studio where I felt safe and comfortable enough to let go and lose myself in the choreography. 

And then I found Studio K. It wasn’t the first or the only dance studio I’ve been to in the last nine years that I’ve lived in Orlando, but it’s the one I will always return to time and time again. Not just for the amazing prices or the range of class offerings or even for that dang giant floor, but because it just feels like coming home.

But, please don’t just take my word for it – come check out Studio K for yourself! It’s a brand new month with so many fun classes to try, so take a look at the schedule and see what we mean when we say The Floor Is Yours!