For those seeking a premier destination for dance education in Minnesota, look no further than Platinum Dance Center Edina. Located in Edina, Minnesota, this esteemed studio, led by the dedicated Talya Dozois, offers a competitive dance program that operates with exceptional precision and artistry. As the competition artistic director, Dozois manages a demanding schedule, ensuring the team participates in at least four regional competitions annually. Her responsibilities extend to choreographing an impressive repertoire of 10 to 12 solo pieces and six group routines each year. Furthermore, she enriches the dancers’ learning experience by inviting guest choreographers and providing personalized coaching. Despite the full-time commitment of her administrative role, Dozois remains deeply involved in teaching, conducting two weekly jazz technique classes for preteens and teens. “They are really rewarding classes for me,” Dozois expresses, highlighting her passion for nurturing young talent and witnessing their growth. “It is so nice to see where they started to where they are now.”
Alt text: Dancers in motion during a practice session at Platinum Dance Center Edina, showcasing the studio’s vibrant and dedicated atmosphere.
At Platinum Dance Center Edina, the philosophy of technique is deeply ingrained from the very beginning of each class. Dozois emphasizes that warm-up is not merely a preliminary activity but a crucial segment for technique refinement. “Warm-up is technique,” she consistently reminds her students. “It’s when you really learn how to feel your straight knees, stretched feet, and strong arms. It’s when you find those lines and learn to really move through them.” Her warm-up sessions are designed to be dynamic and continuous, spanning 25 minutes to effectively build dancers’ stamina and strength. Recognizing that many of her students participate in additional competitions and conventions, Dozois strategically prepares them both physically and mentally to handle these rigorous challenges. This comprehensive approach ensures dancers from Platinum Dance Center Edina are well-equipped for any performance environment.
Alt text: Young dancers engaged in across-the-floor exercises at Platinum Dance Center Edina, focusing on posture and controlled movements to enhance their dance technique.
The integration of technique into practical choreography is another cornerstone of the training at Platinum Dance Center Edina. Dozois utilizes across-the-floor exercises to bridge the gap between isolated skills and their application in dance routines. “I’ve found that across-the-floor shows dancers how to use their skills in choreography. Sometimes a dancer can do a triple pirouette in center and it’s perfect, but then I give them movement before and after the pirouette and they struggle,” she explains. This insightful observation underscores why Dozois prioritizes across-the-floor work as an essential component of her classes. By focusing on transitions and movement sequences, she ensures that dancers at Platinum Dance Center Edina not only master individual techniques but also learn to seamlessly incorporate them into fluid and expressive dance performances. This holistic training methodology distinguishes Platinum Dance Center Edina as a leading institution for competitive dance education.
