There are some shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.
The pre-pandemic slogan of one Chesterfield-based dance studio was: "Expand. Explore. Believe. There Are No Limits." Leaning further into that inspiration, owner and instructor Kim Revie Buchheit decided how to creatively work within new limitations prompted by COVID-19 at her Miss Kim's Dance Class studio at 14344 South Outer 40 Road.
When public safety parameters were re-established, Miss Kim's classes resumed but were limited to 25%, then more recently 50%, occupancy so they could divide groups in half and flip-flop between in-studio and via Zoom. "We also took extra COVID-19 precautions, like temperature checks and mandating masks while going in and out of the studio," says the instructor of 26 years who received her bachelor's degree in dance from Webster University.
Kim says another adjustment was hosting an outdoors dance recital in a parking lot during June.
Dial 314.542.0608 for class inquiries; they also host adult classes for ballet, tap and hip hop.
Formed in 2008, Ballroom Dance Academy of St. Louis is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose supporters focus on sharing the joy of ballroom dancing. Under typical times, they promote partner or ballroom style dancing through lessons, performances and socials. During this pandemic year, they've altered their teaching medium by providing virtual lessons on Thursday evenings via Zoom. For an updated schedule for December, visit online BallroomDanceSTL.org or email ballroomdancestl@gmail.com.
The links for joining BDASL classes are the same every week: Meeting ID: 155 305 283; password: BDASL; Link for 6-6:45 p.m. classes: Zoom.us/j/155305283; Link for 7-7:45 p.m. classes: Zoom.us/j/266683225.
"Because we're offering these classes for free, we do ask participants to consider donating to keep BDASL alive and active for the post-COVID era when we can all get back together in-person," says Patty Weisensee.
Convergence DBC at 8044 Manchester Road in Brentwood offers dance classes for adults of all levels. Prior to this year's pandemic, they hosted classes in social ballroom, salsa/Latin dancing, Argentine Tango, swing, competition preparation and therapy dancing for movement disorders.
Convergence owner Carter Maier says while some of their group lessons have been temporarily suspended, his wife, Roxanne, has creatively updated certain types of dances so participants do not change dance partners. This step enables them to provide in-person, weekly group lessons for tango and salsa classes for a maximum of 10, masked students.
They also offer online private lessons and scheduled in-person classes. "We had one couple who learned a whole new dance, the West Coast Swing, completely online," adds Carter.
Email dance@convergencedbc.com or call 314.324.0887 for schedule options.
At St. Louis-based Consuming Kinetics Dance Company, located at 465 North Taylor Ave., the motto is: "It's never too late or too early to learn how to dance."
CKDC representatives claim to be the only school in the greater St. Louis area that offers a full schedule of adult dance classes, including hip hop, modern, contemporary, jazz, tap and bodywork.
Classes for adults run continuously, and there are no registration fees to join. In-person class participants must adhere to the company's mandatory, precautionary steps prompted by COVID-19 concerns, and classes have limited capacities. Private lessons, done via in-person or virtual, and parties also can be booked by emailing info@ckdc.org.
Online CKDC classes, such as Music Video Moves, are available through Patreon, ranging from $25 to $100 monthly membership fees: CKDC.org.