Mathews Dance Studio

Mathews Dance Studio, located in the heart of historic Mathews Courthouse, is a dance studio dedicated to fostering a love for dance in the Mathews community. Founded in August 2016 by Rachel Morris, a Mathews native, the studio offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for dancers of all ages and abilities. Our mission is to provide quality dance education while encouraging creativity, self-expression, and personal growth.

Our Facility

Our classes are held on the third floor of the Halcyon Building, located at 40 Court Street in Mathews, Virginia. The historic building provides a unique and inspiring backdrop for our dancers. Our mailing address is PO Box 601, Cobbs Creek, VA 23035, and our email address is mathewsdancestudio@gmail.com.

Our Faculty

Our faculty is comprised of experienced and passionate dance instructors who are dedicated to sharing their love of dance with our students.

*Rachel Morris, Director and Instructor*

Rachel Morris, the founder and director of Mathews Dance Studio, grew up in Mathews, Virginia and began dancing at the age of four. She was a member of Bayside Youth Ballet Company and danced with them until graduating from Mathews High School in 2000. Rachel went on to attend Longwood University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Rachel has been teaching dance for over 20 years at studios including Five Pointes Dance Center in Farmville, Virginia and Diggs School of Dance in Gloucester, Virginia. She currently lives in Mathews County where she teaches art at Mathews High School. Rachel opened Mathews Dance Studio in 2016 and continues to serve as Director and Instructor.

*Haley Beatley, Instructor*

Haley Beatley, a Mathews native, began dancing at the age of four at Diggs School of Dance. She joined and performed with Bayside Youth Ballet from 2006 - 2010. After graduating from Mathews High School, Haley attended Radford University and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. While in college, she had the privilege of performing in school productions and with d a n a h b e l l a DanceWorks, a contemporary modern dance company. Haley is currently teaching Pre-Kindergarten Four at Ware Academy and is also a dance instructor at Mathews Dance Studio, where she works directly with the teen and adult programs and develops all community performance programs.

Our Classes

Mathews Dance Studio offers a wide range of classes for all ages and abilities. Our classes include ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and acro. We believe that dance should be accessible to everyone, and we strive to offer classes that are both challenging and fun. Our class sizes are small, allowing for individual attention and growth. We offer classes for children as young as two years old, as well as classes for teens and adults.

In addition to our regular classes, we also offer workshops, intensives, and performance opportunities throughout the year. Our annual recital is a highlight of the year, showcasing the talents and hard work of our students.

Community Engagement

Mathews Dance Studio is proud to be an active member of the Mathews community. We participate in local events such as Mathews Market Days and the annual Christmas Parade. We also offer community performance programs, providing opportunities for our students to share their love of dance with others.

Conclusion

Mathews Dance Studio is more than just a dance studio. It is a place where students can come to learn, grow, and express themselves through dance. We are proud to be a part of the Mathews community and look forward to continuing to share the joy of dance with our students for years to come.