Business Details
40 Years
experience
Premier Dance School in Inwood, WV
Tari Jo's Dance Studio has been nurturing dance excellence since 1986, founded by Tari Jo Butler, a graduate of the Gifted & Talented Program at Governor Thomas Johnson High School and Shenandoah University. Our studio offers comprehensive training in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, modern, and contemporary dance, with instructors who have studied at prestigious institutions like Walnut Hill School of Performing Arts and Shenandoah University. We emphasize technical mastery through methodologies like Vogonava and Cecchetti Ballet, Graham and Limon modern techniques, and have prepared students for professional careers in dance companies and Broadway tours.Our faculty includes award-winning choreographers with decades of experience teaching at Stagedoor Manor, high schools, and universities. We host annual recitals and provide performance opportunities at regional festivals, maintaining strong community ties through partnerships with local schools and churches.
Services
Ballet
Jazz
Lyrical
Tap
Modern Dance
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Acro
Pointe
Choreography
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of professional dance instruction experience
- Our faculty includes Shenandoah University graduates with advanced training
- We provide diverse styles from ballet to acro dance techniques
- Our choreographers have won regional competition awards
- We maintain small class sizes for personalized instruction
What people say
Experienced instructors
Award-winning choreography
Supportive environment
Professional training
Excellent recitals
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops technical proficiency through Cecchetti and Vogonava methods, with pointe training for advanced students. Instructors emphasize proper alignment, turnout, and artistry through progressive curriculum from beginner to pre-professional levels. Classes prepare dancers for performances and competitions while building foundational skills applicable to all dance styles.
Choreography
Award-winning choreographers create original works for recitals and competitions, specializing in theatrical storytelling and contemporary movement. We develop custom routines for dance teams, school productions, and solo performances, integrating multiple dance styles to showcase individual strengths and artistic vision.
Acro
Acro dance combines technical dance elements with gymnastic skills, focusing on flexibility, strength, and control. Our program teaches safe progressions for cartwheels, walkovers, and aerials within a dance context, ensuring proper technique while developing performance quality and spatial awareness.
Modern Dance
Modern dance classes explore Graham and Limon techniques, emphasizing emotional expression through movement. Students learn to manipulate weight, space, and dynamics while developing improvisation skills and performance artistry applicable to concert dance and commercial settings.
Competition Prep
We prepare dancers for regional competitions with specialized coaching in solo, duet, and group routines. The program includes costume coordination, stage rehearsal, and adjudication feedback to refine performance quality and technical execution for competitive dance environments.
People
Tari Jo Butler
Owner, Director & Choreographer
Shenandoah University graduate with 35+ years teaching experience. Trained at Walnut Hill School and with renowned choreographers. Directed 28 annual recitals and choreographed for theater productions.
Christine McNamara
Instructor & Choreographer
Magna Cum Laude Shenandoah University graduate. Former Stagedoor Manor instructor with award-winning choreography showcased at national festivals. Recipient of Presidential Citation for Outstanding Educator in 2007.
Raegin Domenico
Instructor & ACRO Specialist
Trained at Tari Jo's from age 3, with professional experience performing in film and New York dance companies. Specializes in acro and contemporary techniques, bringing industry expertise to youth instruction.
Questions
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and acro dance classes for students ages 3 through adult.
Do you have performance opportunities?
Yes, we host annual spring recitals and prepare students for regional competitions like Kings Dominion Dance Festival.
What are your instructors' qualifications?
Our faculty includes Shenandoah University graduates with decades of professional experience and award-winning choreographers.
Are there class size limits?
We maintain small class sizes with maximum 12 students to ensure personalized attention and proper technique development.
Do you offer competitive dance teams?
We provide competition preparation with specialized coaching for solo, duet, and group routines at regional festivals.