About Us

 
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Our History

 

Dancing with Class was founded in 2006 as the youth outreach division of May I Have This Dance™. Co-founders Margot Toppen (Executive Director of Dancing with Class) and Nino DiGiulio (Founder/Owner of May I Have This Dance™) used their collective backgrounds in Education and Arts Administration to design an engaging youth dance program specifically geared toward the learning styles of children and young adults. DwC’s large and diverse staff of professional teaching artists has been trained to use this curriculum to deliver excellent quality programming.

Dancing with Class™ Teaching Artists

 

Dancing with Class™ recruits, trains and maintains a roster of high-quality teaching artists with a diverse array of experience and dance background. Our teaching staff includes professional dancers involved in the ballroom, modern, ballet and hip-hop dance communities, as well as several instructors with degrees in Education. Our team-oriented approach to training results in a highly motivated and dedicated team that benefits from the diversity of talent that exists within the staff.

 
“This was the greatest success I have seen from any programming (at my school) and I thank you for your great work. Also, I wanted to send a sincere thanks for allowing Alexis, my student confined to a wheelchair, to participate. I cannot explain how much it meant to her and her family to be able to take part in this program.”
YMCA Community Schools Initiative, Site Coordinator at Christopher Elementary
“The three autistic boys did a really good job in the dance class. One boy’s mom told me that he came home and showed her how to turn. For a boy who never talks about his day at school, this is a huge step!”
Music Teacher at Farnsworth Elementary
“At Chase Elementary, this program has helped to create a sense of unity. Our parent group has rallied around this program and enthusiastically helped with costumes and other aspects, and our administration actively supports the program.”
Community School Manager, Children's Home + Aid
“Your program is fantastic. Thank you for making the competition such a special event. It is unlike anything the kids have experienced.”
Principal, St. Matthias Transfiguration School
“The Dancing with Class™ teachers were cooperative and professional. In preparation for our showcase, they went above and beyond the call of duty.”
Children's Home + Aid Community School Manager
“I love my dance teacher because she is the best dancer in the whole wide world.”
3rd grade after-school program participant