55 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN DANCE

Pofahl Studios, Inc. was founded in 1956 to provide quality dance instruction for the dance student from beginner through professional.  During its long history, the School has proven to be a training ground for hundreds of dance students.  The focus of the School is to teach each student poise and coordination and to instill in them the love of dance.  For those who wish to pursue an academic or professional career, a complete training program is offered as well.

The School prides itself on a healthy environment where the individual is respected regardless of of talent or academic achievement. 

Pofahl Studios is the Official School for

Dance Alive National Ballet.


Students from the School, Brian Hunter and Rachel Ridley, as the Nutcracker Prince and Clara in Dance Alive National Ballet's production of NUTCRACKER.

ABOUT THE FACULTY

The faculty has been carefully selected for their professional knowledge of a particular dance discipline as well as the ability to teach a particular age or ability level.  The studio only employs instructors with professional experience and/or dance degrees.  THE PRIMARY CONCERN of the faculty is the development of each student's skill and appreciation for the art of dance, respect for their teachers and fellow students, and the development of their own personal self-esteem.

FACULTY


Ballet student Emily M. Davis by Johnston Photography.

Ballet:

  • Kim Tuttle - See "Directors"  47 years experience.

  • Carla Amancio - Degree in Psychology.  Experienced teacher from pre-ballet classes through advanced ballet. (Loyola High School, Step by Step Ballet, Sesiminas Dance School, Grupo Corpo Dance School)  Numerous 1st place awards in international ballet competitions.  Principal Dance Alive National Ballet where she dances leading roles in Nutcracker, Paquita, Don Quixote, and numerous other works.
  • Tak Kwan Chu - 48 years experience. Principal dancer Hong Kong Ballet and Dance Alive National Ballet.  Ballet Master Dance Alive National Ballet.  Master teacher. Faculty member 12 years.
  • Beth Ann Maslinoff - Trained at Pofahl Studios before accepting a full scholarship at the prestigious Harid conservatory. Recipient of numerous awards including the Rudolf Nureyev Education Fellowship. She spent a year with Ballet Magnificat before joining DANB.  She taught classes at the studio 2008-2009 and at Duval Elementary School in a residency setting. While a student of Pofahl's, Ms. Maslinoff performed with Next Generation, as a soldier, child and tumbler in Nutcracker.
  • Reka Gyulai -Trained Hungarian Dance Academy and North Carolina School of the Arts. Finalist International Ballet Competition in vienna and Elvira Vecsey Prize in Hungary. Principal Dancer and teacher at International Ballet and Columbia Classical Ballet.
  • Lara Thompson - Trained Pofahl Studios. B.S. in Nursing.   Former UF Dazzler.  Performed with Dance Alive National Ballet and Kentucky Repertory Ballet. Created several liturgical dance programs including Reverence Worship Dance in St. Petersburg, which is currently in its seventh year. Co-Director Next Generation.
  • Andre Valladon - Principal Dancer Dance Alive National Ballet, Mr. Valladon was a finalist at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, won numerous gold medals in international competitions in Brazil and Japan as well as the Grand Prix at the International Ballet Festival in Brazil.  Mr. Valladon teaches partnering and men's classes.

Anna Long.  Recital 2010.
Jazz:

  • Judy Skinner - See "Directors"  50 years experience.
  • Courtney Holmes - Faculty member 9 years. BS in Public Relations from UF. UF Dazzler 2000-2004.  11 years experience master classes, workshops, etc.
  • Kimmy Keck - See below.
  • Lara Thompson - See above.
Lyrical/Contemporary:
  • Kimmy Keck - Performed professionally with Brooks & Company, ProDanza Italiana and North Atlanta Dance Theatre.  Was selected for third year of "So You Think You Can Dance". Established a public school based dance & Pilates studio, performance company and athletic movement program and movement classes for physically & mentally impared for Orange County Schools. B.A Education, certification in Pilates & Yoga.


Tap student Rachel Ridley by Johnston Photography.
Tap:
  • Judy Skinner - See above.
  • Courtney Holmes - See above.
  • Janelle Kelley - Trained with YDance, Papillon Dance Ensemble and Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theater. Studied tap in NY with Lynn Schwab and Danny Wallace.  Majoring in Psychology and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences with minor in Dance and Education.
  • Lara Thompson - See above.

Modern:

  • Kim Rovansek - Faculty member 7 years.  BS in Statistics and BFA in Dance Performance/Choreography from UF.  Has taught both at UF and Santa Fe College.
Acrobatics:

    • Beth Ann Maslinoff - See above.
    Flamenco:
    • Nina Koelmeyer - Faculty member 10 years.  Masters in Anthoropology/Sociology at UF. Studied with Teo Morca, Jose Junco, Paqui Strelitz and Gitana de la Luna as well as in Spain.
    Office:
    • Tim Heflin - Principal dancer DANB for over 30 years. Degree in Chemistry from UF. Assists with Partnering Classes. Trainer for DANB.

    Scholarship Recipients and Studio Assistants: 

    Emily Davis, Amy Emerson, Deanna Garcia,Theresa Hanson, Kristin MacKay, Calypso Meyers, Rachel Ridley

    MASTER CLASSES

    Students from the School have the opportunity to participate in Master Classes taught by special Guest Artists/Master Teachers.


    Master Class with Cristina Helena. Ms. Helena was master teacher for Intensive 2010.

    FACILITY

    Pofahl Studios is located at 1325 NW 2nd Street, directly behind the Gainesville Shopping Center, about 15 minutes from the UF campus and 20 minutes from I-75. 

    The Studio has two exceptionally large classrooms with specially constructed dance floors.  The newly renovated facility has three dressing rooms, expanded office, restroom and lobby space and a drive-through and drop-off for parents convenience.

    REGISTRATION

    Students registering for the academic year pay a $25 registration fee.  Until the registration fee has been paid, students are not considered enrolled and may not begin attending classes.

    TUITION AND HOLIDAYS

    Tuition for the academic year is monthly and payable by the 10th of each month.  There will be a $10 late fee added to each account past due after the 10th.  Students with accounts two month past due will be dropped.  The School is closed for Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring vacations, as per the public school schedule.

    MONTHLY TUITION RATES   (August through May)

    (Adult tuition listed in "Adult Classes")

     Hours Per Week
    		 Monthly Rate
     1 $60
     2 $110
     3 $150
     4 $190
     5 $220
     6 $245
     7 $265

    Additional 1/4 hour   $14
    Additional 1/2 hour   $27
    Additional 3/4 hour   $42

    Pofahl Studio has a NO-REFUND POLICY with the exception of extended illness or injury.*  Make-ups for ILLNESS ONLY may be arranged with your child's teacher within 30 days.  The School does not provide make-ups for classes missed for other reasons.

    *You MUST contact the office in the event of extended illness or injury so that you are not responsible for tuition.

    WITHDRAWAL

    The School must be notified in writing if a student withdraws from the School.  Students are liable for payment as long as their name is on the class roll.


    First position times ten!

    ATTENDANCE

    Regular attendance is one way to assure your child's progress.  We highly encourage students to attend all assigned classes on a consistent basis.

    • Pointe students are required to attend a minimum of two ballet classes per week.

    • Advanced pointe students are required to attend a minimum of three ballet classes a week.

    • Pre-pointe students (Ballet V) are required to attend two ballet classes per week.

    VISITOR POLICY

    Visitors are welcome to observe classes at the School's Annual Holiday Open House.  Observation of regularly scheduled classes must be arranged with the student's teacher.  The School reserves the right to control access to class.  Visitors may not enter the classroom while the class is in session or if the classroom door is closed.

    RECITAL

    Pofahl Studios holds an annual recital at the end of the academic year at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.  Recital costs includes a family recital charge.  In addition, each class a student takes usually requires a recital costume which the School orders.  Prices vary, but are approximately $50-$70 per costume.  For your convenience, costume costs and recital fees will be detailed in the October billing and are payable by December 15th.  (May be paid in three installments - October through December.)  Costumes not paid by December 1 will not be ordered.  Students with an outstanding balance will not be allowed to perform in the recital.

    Graduating seniors Anna Long and Brian Hunter, both scholarship students, with Director Kim Tuttle at Pofahl's 54th annual recital, Aladdin.

    STUDIO RULES AND REGULATIONS

    Note: The Studio is open 15 minutes prior to the first class of the day.

    • Students wearing inappropriate dancewear or shoes will be asked to watch rather than take class.

    • Students arriving late to class will be asked to observe.

    • Hair must be up and confined for ALL students.   

    • Students cannot leave class without permission.

    • Students must be picked up promptly after class.

    • Chewing gum, food, and drink, other than water, are not allowed in the studio.

    • All students are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous, safe, and responsible manner.

    • Students must wear a cover-up when on the outer studio grounds.

    • Students may not use oil-based hair products or body lotion.

    • Students may not use loose powder in their shoes.

    • Students doing floor work must bring a towel.

    We reserve the right to dismiss any student whose attitude, attendance, conduct, or payment record is unsatisfactory.