Business Details
27 Years
experience
Your Premier Dance School in Bandon, OR
MarLo Dance Studio has been serving the greater Bandon area since 1999 as a family-oriented dance education institution. Our mission is to inspire creative expression while providing comprehensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and yoga/fitness. With a staff of certified instructors and guest teachers, we cater to both recreational learners and aspiring professionals. Our 26-year legacy includes producing award-winning alumni who have performed nationally and internationally. We emphasize life skills development through dance, including teamwork, commitment, and creative expression. The studio's annual spring productions have become major community events that support local scholarships.Our teaching philosophy combines technical excellence with personal growth, creating a supportive environment where students build confidence and lasting relationships. We maintain partnerships with professional dance companies and offer summer intensive programs for advanced training. The studio's leadership includes experienced administrators and instructors with decades of combined industry expertise. Our facility provides a safe, welcoming space for dancers of all ages to develop their artistic potential.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Contemporary
Hip Hop
Yoga/Fitness
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of proven dance education expertise
- Our staff includes professional dancers with international experience
- We provide community-focused programming with annual scholarship performances
- Our alumni have achieved professional success in major dance companies
- We maintain partnerships with professional ballet and contemporary companies
What people say
Patient and kind instructors
Passionate teaching approach
Wonderful relationships formed
Healthy work ethic developed
Classy program environment
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops poise, posture, and technical mastery through structured training from beginner to advanced levels. Students receive pointe preparation and performance opportunities while building foundational skills that benefit all dance styles. The curriculum emphasizes proper technique, musicality, and artistic expression.
Hip Hop
This energetic program teaches freestyle and choreographed movements rooted in street dance culture. Classes accommodate all skill levels while focusing on rhythm, coordination, and personal style development in a supportive environment for both boys and girls.
Jazz & Contemporary
Combining jazz and ballet techniques, our contemporary program emphasizes emotional expression and storytelling through movement. Students develop versatility in various styles while maintaining strong technical foundations through weekly ballet requirements.
Adult Fitness
Designed for adult learners, these classes offer modified exercises that improve strength and flexibility. Programs include ballet, tap, and yoga-lates combinations that accommodate varying fitness levels while maintaining technical integrity in a non-competitive setting.
Creative Movement
Specialized programs for young children introduce basic dance concepts through playful activities that develop motor skills and spatial awareness. Classes incorporate storytelling and sensory experiences to nurture early artistic expression in a caregiver-supported environment.
People
Maria Merriam
Studio Owner
Founder with 25+ years experience, trained under Alice Stadelman, former NYC dancer, and business degree holder. Retired performer now focusing on studio administration and community outreach programs.
Faith Slater
Manager/Instructor
14-year student turned instructor with professional experience at Ballet Fantastique and State Street Ballet. Directs the studio since 2023 while maintaining teaching responsibilities and technical standards.
Gracie Slater
Hip Hop Instructor
20-year dance veteran with extensive competition and performance experience. Holds Small Business Management degree and specializes in adult education while maintaining active performance schedule in regional productions.
Nalia Brewster
Tap Instructor
Decade-long performer with international competition experience. Combines theatrical background and pageant performance skills to teach tap and ballet while maintaining jewelry industry career.
Cheryl Kurihara
Tiny Tots Instructor
Multi-instrumentalist with theater production experience. Specializes in early childhood development through music and dance, incorporating Hula and liturgical dance traditions into educational programming.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We provide comprehensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and creative movement for young children.
Do you accept adult students?
Yes, we offer specialized classes for adults at all experience levels including beginning and intermediate ballet, tap, and fitness-focused programs.
Are there performance opportunities?
Our annual spring productions feature student performances and support local scholarship programs through community partnerships.
How are class placements determined?
Students progress through structured levels with instructor consent, balancing age, experience, and technical readiness for optimal development.
What qualifications do instructors have?
Our staff includes professional dancers with international experience, former company members, and certified instructors with advanced dance education.
Do you offer summer programs?
We provide summer intensive opportunities through partner institutions and maintain special session scheduling for continued training.