Business Details
Your Trusted Dance School in Riverside, CA
At Define Dance Space, we cultivate an environment where technical and artistic excellence in dance training intersects with character development. Founded on the belief that dance education shapes lives, we provide comprehensive training for young dancers aged toddler to teen, offering recreational and competitive programs in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary/Lyrical. Our team of award-winning instructors brings decades of industry experience, having trained at prestigious institutions and worked with renowned choreographers globally. We emphasize building confidence, integrity, and strong family bonds through dance, operating on a traditional school schedule while accepting new enrollments year-round. Our curriculum includes annual recitals, holiday showcases, and specialized summer intensives designed to prepare students for competitive success.With a legacy of producing nationally recognized choreographers and performers, we prioritize personalized mentorship and creative innovation in every class. Our facility fosters inclusivity, particularly for young male dancers, and offers flexible entry points through free trial passes. As educators and mentors, we maintain active roles in local and international dance communities, ensuring our students receive cutting-edge instruction aligned with global standards. Our alumni have achieved recognition at Youth America Grand Prix and Universal Dance Association competitions, among other prestigious platforms. We remain committed to evolving with the dance industry while preserving core values of technical mastery and character development.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Hip Hop
Contemporary/Lyrical
Summer Camps
Competitive Training
Master Classes
Recital Preparation
Parent Portal
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of combined experience from internationally recognized instructors
- Our curriculum includes specialized programs for boys and inclusive dance education
- We provide direct mentorship from certified judges and award-winning choreographers
- Our students gain performance experience through annual recitals and competitions
- We maintain active partnerships with professional dance organizations nationwide
What people say
Patient instructors
Confidence growth
Inclusive for boys
Award-winning choreography
Performance opportunities
Services
Ballet Training
Our ballet program develops technical mastery through Vaganova and Cecchetti methods. Students receive personalized attention from instructors with professional performance backgrounds. Classes emphasize proper alignment, musicality, and artistic expression for ages 5+.
Hip Hop Classes
Contemporary hip hop instruction focuses on rhythm, isolations, and freestyle creativity. Certified instructors with industry experience teach age-appropriate choreography while maintaining technical fundamentals for recreational and competitive dancers.
Summer Intensives
Three-day summer programs combine technique training, strength conditioning, and competition preparation. Designed for students aged 8+, these intensives include master classes in multiple styles and performance workshops led by guest artists.
Competitive Teams
Our competitive program offers structured training in jazz, lyrical, and contemporary styles. Dancers receive choreography coaching, costume design, and performance preparation with a focus on technical excellence and artistic growth.
Parent Portal
The digital portal provides real-time class schedules, registration options, and communication tools. Parents can manage enrollments, view progress reports, and access studio announcements through a secure online platform.
People
Raven S. Gantt
Co-Artistic Director
Certified UDA judge with 15+ years of competitive dance experience. Trained at Millennium Dance Complex and choreographed for Ellen DeGeneres Show performances. Recipient of multiple national choreography awards.
Megan Rae Jenkins
Co-Artistic Director
BFA in dance performance from University of Minnesota. Former rehearsal director for P.G.K Dance Project. Recipient of cultural ambassadorship through international dance exchanges. Certified in Progressing Ballet Technique.
Zackary Falk
Teacher Emeritus
Choreographer with regional and national award-winning routines. Former RCC dance team captain. Trained under Marinda Davis and Jojo Gomez. Currently artistic director at Inspire Dance Complex.
Kaitlin Lee
Early Childhood Instructor
Graduate of Define Dance Space program. Specializes in tap instruction for preschoolers. Trained as teacher since age 10. Combines dance education with professional photography for student portfolios.
Nicole Torres
Administrative Assistant
Former competitive dancer with 5 years of studio experience. Manages daily operations and parent communications. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Serves as primary point of contact for new families.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We teach Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Lyrical styles for ages 2 through teen with both recreational and competitive options.
Do you accept new students year-round?
Yes, while we follow a September-June school schedule, we accept new enrollments at any time and offer free trial passes for first-time families.
Are there performance opportunities?
We host annual recitals, holiday showcases, and provide competitive performance platforms at regional and national events throughout the year.
How do you support male dancers?
Our inclusive environment specifically addresses boys' needs with specialized instruction approaches and mentorship from instructors experienced in male dancer development.
What qualifications do your instructors have?
Our staff includes certified judges, former professional dancers, and award-winning choreographers with training from institutions like Millennium Dance Complex and University of Minnesota.
Do you offer summer programs?
Yes, our summer intensives include technique training, strength conditioning, and competition preparation with guest instructors and specialized master classes.
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