Hudson County is home to countless talented performers, which is no surprise considering we are located right across the Hudson River from New York City. Most professional performers get their start at a young age in local dance studios — so we’re excited to share the inside scoop on a new dance studio coming to the Mile Square on Monday, September 11th. AXIS School of Dance will provide training in ballet, tap, jazz, Broadway, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, and more for children in grades K-12. This studio brings something new to youth dance with classes taught by active industry professionals with a focus on mental health + career development. Keep reading to learn more about this local dance studio coming soon to Hoboken.
The Classes
Students at AXIS learn in a pre-professional environment, which allows them to study the core of dance, proper technique, habits, and foundation to build their dancing in any direction they choose. Whether dance is just a hobby or a student wants to make it their future career, each student can attend knowing they will be fully trained and equipped to follow the path they want to take.
“We work in an atmosphere of care, inclusivity, and joy in each dance class, while staying committed to the values of equality, diversity, and belonging,” owner Lauren Greenwood told The Hoboken Girl. “We strive to grow each young, artistic student as a leader for today and the future. The values the students learn in class are lessons they can apply in both dance and in life.”
Two aspects that make AXIS different from other dance schools — classes at AXIS are taught by active professionals that are currently performing in concert dance companies, commercial dance, or Broadway shows every single day — not just as guest teachers.
On top of that, classes are not just focused on learning dance but will also incorporate important lessons about mental health. For example, the class “Elements of Expression” focuses on building the students’ limitless creativity through improv + creating choreography, and “AXIS Stretch + Meditation” combines elements of Pilates, yoga, and guided meditation to help students with their mental health through introspection.
“We also offer junior and seniors in high school who are preparing to enter college and/or the professional world, a class designed specifically to help them as they move on,” Lauren shared. “The class is called Prep for Professional Industry and focuses on resume building, creating reels, and honing audition pieces/solos.”
At the end of their time at AXIS, students are not just better dancers but they are prepared for a career they want and equipped with skills and tools for lifelong mental health.
Creative Collaboration at AXIS
AXIS is a collaboration between The Studio at Hoboken founder Lauren Greenwood and professional choreographer + Alvin Ailey alum, Abdur-Rahim Jackson, whose resume includes choreographing for the Beyoncé “Crazy in Love” Super Bowl XLVII Halftime performance and the Beyoncé “Halo” music video. The dance studio is a forward thinking, inviting environment with a pre-professional dance program taught by top-ranked dance instructors in the industry.
“For us the best part so far is the collaboration as we meld our two worlds of business and dance. It’s been amazing to see how fluid the process to grow this business has been. We could not be more excited,” Lauren mentioned. “Additionally, for me it’s been a dream to be a part of this artistic world again. When I had my back injury so many years ago, I thought this dance world would be lost to me forever – but coming back to it, this time as a business woman, has been the most fulfilling thing I have done in my professional career.”
Both Lauren and Abdur anticipate that the chance to watch the students grow and discover dance and its capabilities will be the most rewarding part of opening AXIS School of Dance.
“The best part of being involved in this capacity is giving back to the next generation what we have learned through our dance and life experiences, while sharing with students the vast benefits of mastering skills of communication through artistic practice,” Abdur shared. “We are excited to bring a new level of dance to the Mile Square and its neighboring towns and communities.”
Lauren Greenwood
Abdur-Rahim Jackson
AXIS Dance School is located at 251 1st Street in Hoboken, inside The Studio at Hoboken. You can call 856-595-9292 or reach out to AxisDanceNJ@gmail.com with questions.
