Why Pre-school Dance Classes Matter: Preschool dance classes , when guided with expertise and intention, are so much more than just fun and movement. These classes can teach young children essential life skills such as communication, problem-solving, and decision-making while nurturing their creativity and developing their fine and gross motor skills. Yet, too often, preschool dance classes devolve into what looks like disorganized chaos. Why? Because many passionate instructors are not equipped with the specialized tools needed to engage preschoolers in meaningful ways. Teaching preschoolers is not simply about teaching dance technique. It’s about introducing them to structure, communication, respect for themselves and others, and the joy of learning—all within an age-appropriate framework. Preschoolers don’t need rigid terminology or exercises designed for older students. Teaching them steps like plié or battement tendu without context can quickly lead to disinterest or frustration. Instead, lessons should tap into their vivid imaginations. For example: • A plié becomes “opening a window” —What shape is your window and what is outside? • A tendu becomes “ drawing a line with your magic pencil” —What color is your pencil and describe your line? By using these relatable, imaginative cues, we create an experience that is fun, engaging, and perfectly suited to their developmental stage. The magic of teaching preschool dance lies not in choreography but in connection. Reaching them where they are developmentally allows us to build a solid foundation of discipline, creativity, and joy that benefits them not just in dance but in every aspect of their lives. I’ve often been told I have a “ magic touch” with preschoolers, keeping them focused and engaged. While I love the idea of magic, I know the real secret: teaching effectively means understanding how to reach them. By meeting them where they are, we inspire curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, setting the stage for a lifetime of growth in both dance and beyond. Preschool dance isn’t just about movement—it’s about planting the seeds for confidence, creativity, and success. Let’s give our youngest dancers the tools they need to thrive, both in and out of the studio. - Melissa Roxey

Hello, Mill Ballet School family and friends. We’re excited to announce the return of our official blog, Behind the Curtain ! While it’s been a while since our last post, we’re bringing it back as a dynamic complement to our biweekly newsletter, En Pointe. Our newsletter will continue to deliver the essential updates you need about events, schedules, and important school announcements. Behind the Curtain  will go one step further—providing deeper dives into the world of dance, sharing educational content, and offering unique glimpses into life at Mill Ballet School. Here’s what you can look forward to on the blog: Inspiring Stories : Meet our students, hear from our instructors, and learn about the passion that fuels our school. Educational Features : From dance tips to performance insights, we’ll share valuable knowledge to enrich your dance journey. Behind-the-Scenes Moments : Get an insider’s look at how we bring the magic of dance to life every day. Encouraging New Faces : Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or simply curious about starting, this blog is for everyone interested in dance. Think of the blog as a space to explore the artistry, creativity, and joy that make Mill Ballet School so special—giving you even more reasons to love being part of our community. Stay tuned for our first post: "Debunking the Myth of Summer Intensives,"  on Thursday, January 23, where we’ll tackle common misconceptions and shed light on why summer training is an invaluable opportunity for dancers at every level. We’re so glad you’re here. Let us know if there’s something you’d love to see featured on the blog, and get ready for exciting posts ahead! Warmly, The Mill Ballet School Team

Debunking the Myth of Summer Intensives It’s that time of year when summer intensive programs dominate the dance world. Over the past 15 years, I’ve watched these programs become big business, creating stress and anxiety for young dancers who feel pressured to attend well-advertised intensives. However, I want to reassure parents and dancers: attending a prestigious summer intensive is not a requirement for pursuing a professional dance career—especially for those under 16. While attending an intensive away from home can be exciting, it can also cause unnecessary emotional and physical stress, particularly for dancers aged 12–16 who are navigating complex emotional development and heightened body awareness. At this age, dancers are deeply influenced by peers, and in environments where emotional and physical well-being may not be prioritized, the experience can sometimes lead to burnout or even a loss of passion for dance. As a professional dancer and educator with over 35 years of experience, I’ve seen both sides. Some families have heeded my advice, while others have not. I vividly recall talented young dancers attending big-name intensives, only to quit dance altogether afterward. Personally, I attended intensives starting in eighth grade and often felt more excited to return home than anything else. Looking back, I realize I would have benefited far more from staying home and focusing on personalized training during those formative years. So, what’s the best way to keep your passionate dancer engaged over the summer? First, prioritize rest!  Like all athletes, dancers need downtime to reset their bodies. I recommend 2–3 weeks off with activities like swimming or biking to cross-train. Afterward, enroll in your studio’s summer programs, supplemented with private lessons and coaching. This approach ensures steady progress while nurturing a dancer’s emotional and physical well-being. When planning your dancer’s summer, consider these benefits of staying home and the myths surrounding summer intensives: Why Staying Home Can Be Better for Young Dancers Individualized Attention Home studio faculty know your dancer deeply—their strengths, areas for improvement, and emotional needs. This personalized guidance is often missing in large programs, where dancers can feel like just another face in the crowd. Holistic Development Home training fosters balanced growth, emphasizing confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset alongside technique. Your local teachers are better equipped to mentor your dancer as a whole person. Accelerated Progress with Private Coaching Redirecting the resources spent on intensive programs toward private lessons allows for targeted focus on technique and artistry. One-on-one coaching often produces faster, more meaningful results than general instruction in large groups. Reduced Stress Being away from home during critical emotional and physical development stages can be overwhelming. Staying local provides the comfort and support of family and familiar teachers, reducing the risk of burnout. Strong Foundations for Long-Term Success Training in a familiar environment allows young dancers to build strong technical and artistic foundations without distractions. This consistent growth is essential for future opportunities. Financial and Logistical Ease Summer intensives are costly and time-consuming. Staying home allows families to invest in year-round, high-quality training without financial strain or logistical challenges. Debunking Myths About Summer Intensives Myth 1: You need a big-name program to succeed. Reality:  Many successful dancers build their careers through consistent training at home. Success comes from dedication, not a program’s name. Myth 2: Intensives are essential for networking. Reality:  Networking opportunities will come naturally with time and experience. Young dancers don’t need to rush into them before they’re ready. Myth 3: Intensives provide superior training. Reality:  While some programs are excellent, they often prioritize volume over individualized attention. Home studios with smaller class sizes and personalized coaching often deliver more effective training. Staying home offers young dancers the opportunity to grow steadily in an environment that prioritizes their overall well-being. By taking advantage of local resources—including private lessons, coaching, and mentorship—dancers can develop strong foundations, confidence, and artistry at their own pace. - Melissa Roxey

Join the Mill Ballet School for a wonderful work out inspired to give adults a great way to take part in the art of dance while building rhythm, coordination, flexibility, musicality and lean muscle. mass. This is a beginner level class but all are welcome. http://www.millballetschool.com

To learn more about Summer Dance at the Mill Ballet School go to www.millballetschool.com or call Melissa Roxey at 609-397-7244

by: Christina Holl Three years ago, I graduated Montclair State University with my BFA in Dance. The dance training I received there was excellent and I felt ready to enter the world as a professional dancer. I knew I wanted to perform professionally and teach, but I also wanted to be able to serve others through dance. After countless auditions in New York City and not being able to book a job, I was introduced to Mark, Melissa, the Roxey Ballet Company, and Mill Ballet School. The whole thing seemed to fit perfectly together- I was dancing professionally for the company, I taught for Mill Ballet School, and I was given the opportunity to become a teaching artist and teach the Dance to Learn curriculum to special education schools in New Jersey. The Dance to Learn program is an interdisciplinary and inclusive dance curriculum with the goal to advance dance education in schools and community settings. The Dance to Learn curriculum encourages students to explore, internalize, and transform classroom learning through movement. It allows students to develop their individual creative voices! There are a few dance companies in New Jersey that teach this curriculum, however Roxey Ballet is the only company that works with the special needs community. I was nervous going into my first residency in fall 2017 because I wanted to be able to provide the best experience for my students as possible. I went in with an open mind and an open heart. The students were a little apprehensive at first, but as time went on it was amazing to see how the power of movement and dance allowed these students to express themselves. Melissa Roxey always starts off each residency asking the students what they think dance is and after they give the expected responses of “moving to music” or showing us “the floss”, she explains that dance is “communicating not with our words, but with our bodies.” One moment in particular that really stuck with me was during a class with students who were all physically disabled in some way. They depended either on a walker or wheelchair for mobility. One student who was wheelchair bound and non-verbal did not care much to join in dance class every week and would often just sit in his chair and not participate. I developed a system of drawing picture graphs on a large poster board every class in order for the students to choose- through either pointing or eye contact- how they wanted to move (i.e. water, fire, air, earth). After weeks of this student being non-responsive when I approached him with the picture board, he pointed to an image of a swirl which represented the wind. He started moving his arms in a circular motion while displaying a bright smile on his face. His teachers and myself were so excited to see him make that connection and communicate through his body not words that he understood! Being able to teach creative movement residencies at special education schools has been a life-changing experience for me. It is truly remarkable to see how dance transcends any type of communication barrier and the positive impact it has on the mind and body. I leave each residency with a grateful heart hoping that I have impacted my students as much as they have impacted me. Roxey Ballet teaches creative movement residencies as well as provide other educational assemblies and workshops to schools across NJ and PA. If you are interested in a program for your school please contactroxeyoutreach@gmail.com

By​ Melissa Roxey I want to preface this by saying I am not a fan of screens! As many of you have witnessed I do not sit or stay still for long. These past few months have been a huge transition for me, both mentally and physically. So for all of you out there that do not want to learn from a screen, I hear, feel, and understand you. However, what I want more is to continue to do what brings me happiness and contentment and this is teaching dance and bringing a smile to everyone’s face. So I turn to the screen and technology to continue moving forward with what I love. We all know we do not have options in how we are instructed. The only option is to dig deep and turn to technology to continue to learn and grow or stop. I choose and hope you choose to be unstoppable. I also know this too will pass and when it does I want to come out brighter, smarter, and stronger than before and with a greater ability to adapt. As parents it is my hope you will help your children see this. Their minds are not equipped to make these decisions. Their minds are equipped to make a decision based on how they feel in the moment. Engaging in conversation on learning and growing during this time by asking questions and creating space for your child to share their feelings will empower them to keep going. Change is not easy and especially with little notice. For our youngest students I welcome older siblings and parents to participate in class with them. We know actions speak louder than words. We also know class on a screen at home is quite different from an in person class at a separate location! All is good. From parents and siblings joining in, to the special appearance of pets, to the exposure of our very well lived in homes, to the mishaps with technology we are all learning and growing in ways we would not have prior to #stayathome. And now for the white elephant in the room...But are virtual online classes worth it? Yes! Now more than ever children need to be connecting with friends, peers, and their teachers. Keeping them connected to their community through virtual lessons is key to helping them get through quarantine emotionally sound. While your child may not be advancing at the speed of light when it comes to virtuosity by practicing their grand allegro (big jumps) they are benefitting in many other ways. Teachers are giving students more creative exercises through improvisation and unique choreography. Students are also instructed to dance smarter by executing simpler combinations in efforts to develop correct muscle memory and better execution of positions and lines. Students are able to reconnect with peers and teachers that have relocated. However, the most important skill they are acquiring is the ability to adapt at a high level. This is what we teachers at the Mill Ballet are committed to. It is through these lessons during this unprecedented time that our students and your children will develop the tool to zoom through life whatever life shall bring!

We are excited to announce we are planning to re-open for Summer Dance 2020 pending NJ governor’s re-opening protocol. We will follow all recommendations from the CDC as the safety of our students, families, and faculty are paramount. It is imperative that you register if you would like to secure an in person spot in a Summer Dance 2020 program. We will be offering the opportunity to attend programs virtually as well. Detailed information on virtual attendance will come out soon! For more information call 609-397-7244 Email us at info@millballetschool.com

Join us on August 28th and 29th from 4:00-7:30pm for the Mill Ballet School's Fall Open House! Come meet the directors, faculty, families, and friends of the ballet! Enjoy free trial classes as well as learn about auditioning for the Trainee Program and Roxey Ballet's Nutcracker. ​ Free Classes In Mini Musical 4:30-5:00pm Jazz 5:15-5:45pm Creative Movement 6:00-6:30pm Contemporary 6:30-7:15pm

The Mill Ballet School is honored to perform at this year's Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run in Doylestown, PA on September 29th. Each year dancers, families, and faculty of the Mill Ballet are moved by the Travis Manion Foundation's work to honor the brave servicemen and women of our country. To join us in this special day, register to Team Mill Ballet at www.911heroesrundoylestownpa.itsyourrace.com

This year, the Mill Ballet is proud to add a new class to the schedule! Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) is a program specially designed to improve the technical skills of classical ballet dancers. By focusing on muscle memory, enhancing flexibility, and injury prevention, PBT is sure to aid in safe, healthy, and strong dancing! ​ Congratulations to the Mill Ballet's Christina Holl for achieving PBT certification! Christina joins Melissa Roxey in instructing PBT at the Mill Ballet. Progressing Ballet Technique 1 and 2 will be offered on Monday and Saturday respectively.

The Mill Ballet is pleased to welcome Pinja Sinisalo to the Mill Ballet Faculty! Pinja was born in Vantaa, Finland. She started her dance studies at the Helsinki Dance Institute at age of 4. After years of training with Institute's Professional Training Program, the Finnish National Ballet School, and the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Pinja graduated in 2017, completing the Bachelor Degree in Arts specialized in Classical Ballet. From there she started her professional career with Ballet of Sorbisches National Ensemble and had the amazing opportunity to tour all over Germany with the company, performing very versatile repertoire. Pinja is excited to join the Mill Ballet to bring her copious experience to our hardworking students!