Joy Squire, Director
Taylor Dance Program
Taylor Recreation Center
22805 Goddard Road
Taylor, MI 48180
Phone: (734) 374-3904
www.balletamericana.org
www.taylor-dance.com 

Instructors:
Ballet Instructors:
Patricia Squire Lorenz - Leif Lorenz - Jennifer Montie - Suzanne Kirsch
Jazz and Tap Instructors:
Joy Squire - Julie Phillips - Kristen Zub - Jackie Laforet

     The Taylor Dance Program began in 1967. The first classes were directed by Joy Squire at Kinyon Elementary School. From there, the program grew, and it now operates in three studios at the Taylor Recreation Center. The beautiful facilities have great sound systems, mirrors and special flooring for dancers.
      The Taylor Dance Program was formed with the purpose of bringing quality dance to this area. The dedication of all those involved has made Taylor Dance and its professional ballet company, Taylor Ballet Americana, a magnet that draws people together, both as performers and spectators, for the mutual enjoyment of the art.
       Our goal is to continue to raise the vision of excellence by maintaining an atmosphere of growth and understanding.  We want to awaken and promote the gifts within each child, train and prepare their abilities, fulfill their highest potential and spirit.

     The Taylor Dance Program offers several different classes:

Tiny Tots - for children ages 2 to 3 years old; Mom or Dad attend this fun-filled class with you!
Pre-Dance - Must be 3 years of age by December 1, to enroll.
Kinder Ballet, Kinder Tap, Kinder Jazz - Must be 4 years of age by December 1.
Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Cheer/Tumble - Must be 5 years of age or older by December 1.
Hawaiian/Tahitian, All Boys Jazz - Must be 6 years or older by December 1.
Pointe, Partnering - Must have permission of ballet instructor to enroll.
Adult Jazz and Tap classes are also available.

Students can register for fall classes beginning in March or April of every year.  Call the Taylor Dance program at (734) 374-3904 to register.  The Dance Program also offers a variety of summer programs.  Call or drop by the dance office for more information.

Dance Office Hours
Monday-Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Saturday from Noon to 3 p.m.

Classes begin with the school year and end with recitals featuring all students in May. Ballet has two shows, held separately from the other recitals. They feature all ballet students and performances by Taylor Ballet Americana. The tap, jazz, Tahitian and tiny tots recital shows lasts for 1½ hours. Ballet Americana, jazz and halakahiki Polynesian dancers perform along with the smaller dancers. Only a few classes of our smaller dancers perform in each recital. We want them all to feel very special and don't want to keep them backstage for a long period of time. The recitals are fast paced with colorful and entertaining dances.

The Taylor Ballet Americana presents "The Nutcracker" annually. The dancers have performed this well-loved ballet accompanied by the Southern Great Lakes Symphony and, most recently, the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra. A highlight of the holiday season, this performance has been critically acclaimed for both artistic merit and professionalism.  Ballet students of the Taylor Dance Program, based on their ability, attendance in class and family participation, are invited to the audition for parts in "Nutcracker."

About the staff:
     Joy Squire is the founder and director of Taylor Ballet Americana, serving for many years as artistic director and guiding the company to its present status.  A master teacher, she received her early training with Theodore Smith.  After performing professionally for several years, she began to teach, and soon had an enormous following of dance students.   Her thorough knowledge of dance technique and the ability to instruct combined to make her a much in-demand teacher.
     Joy is a trustee for the Downriver Council for the Arts, served as regional representative of the Michigan Dance Association and also is a member of the Southern Great Lakes Symphony.  Affiliated with numerous dance organizations, she has instructed at dance conventions and workshops and is the recipient of many honors and awards, including a community service award from Wayne County and the prestigious Salute to Excellence Award presented by the Downriver Council for the Arts.
    One of Joy's most treasured awards was her selection to the Taylor Sports and Recreation Hall of Fame in April 2002.

     Patricia Squire Lorenz and Leif Lorenz have recently returned to the Detroit area after dancing professionally for 11 years.  They began their New York career performing with Daniel Levans at The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, appeared with Richard Thomas' U.S. Terpsichorean and danced extensively for the Light Opera of Manhattan.
     In the fall of 1992, Patricia and Leif accepted the positions of artistic director and technical director/resident choreographer for Taylor Ballet Americana.  In addition to their duties, they instruct most of the ballet classes for the Taylor Dance Program, including pointe and partnering classes.  Many of their students have been accepted by the schools at Milwaukee Ballet, Boston Ballet, Houston Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Virginia Ballet, Cleveland Ballet and the School of American Ballet in New York City.
      The Chicago Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet hold auditions at our studio each year, for their summer programs.
     The Taylor Dance program is very pleased to have Patricia and Leif on staff.  We are the only school in the entire area to offer instructors with their professional backgrounds and special skills.