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Media Credit: Alison Clausen The girls practice their leaps together during class. Each week, Dance Instructor Melissa Reed sees the students improve.

Media Credit: Alison Clausen While the girls wait for their turn to practice leaps, they take a time-out to show off their jazz shoes.

Media Credit: Alison Clausen Dance Instructor Melissa Reed assists the girls in tricks that take much skill. "I want to try," the girls say as they line up for Reed's help.

"Five, six, seven, eight."

The moment you step foot into Main Street Dance Studio, the sound of upbeat music, instructor cues and pounding foot steps fill your ears.

Main Street Dance Studio is where a variety of dance classes can be found for children and adults, for recreational or competitive purposes and private instructions. The studio also offers personalized attention and even a family atmosphere.

"I try to make it family-based here," says Melissa Reed, dance instructor and owner of the studio.

As for classes, the studio offers a wide variety. From tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip hop, clogging, tumbling and cheerleading to adult lessons which include salsa, the cha-cha and private wedding dances. The options are endless. Each class lasts about an hour once a week.

In the year the studio has been opened, competing and succeeding proved to be no challenge for students at Main Street Dance. During a competition in Kansas City, Mo. the studio received first place in three areas. Also this year students from the studio were chosen to compete in Chicago with an elite division of eight studios.

Classes are not only for those with competitive souls, but for those who want to dance recreationally. Main Street Dance offers classes for learning and improvement.

"I place students in classes based on ability, but I also try to place them within their age range," says Reed.

Reed teaches all of her own dances classes, but has 10 assistants who also dance in her studio.

For those who are interested in private instructions, Reed finds the time to offer those as well.

"College girls will come in and I will team them what they want to learn. They even change it up from week to week, wanting to learn a new style of dancing," states Reed. "I give instructions for couples who don't want to just sway during their wedding dance."

At the end of the year, Main Street Dance puts on a recital for families of the dancers and the Maryville community. The recital takes place at the Mary Linn Performing Arts Center and shows off the students' hard work and effort over the course of the year.

"Dance can raise self-esteem, build confidence, teach self-discipline, offer support and involves interaction with others," said Reed.

Dancing has also seen a recent increase in adult participation. Many adults see shows on television such as "Dancing with the Stars" and want to learn what they see.

"Adults will come in and say I want to do what they do on television. I want to dance exactly like they do," says Reed.

Since this popularity among adults, the Northwest Techinal School in Maryville, Mo. has answered to this call by offering adult dance classes. These classes range from one to six sessions and offer classes in line-dancing and folk and contra dancing.

So if dance sparks an interest in you, check out Main Street Dance. The studio is found on the corner of Third and Main Street in Maryville, Mo. You can also reach Melissa Reed by phone at (660) 853-9275.

If you wish to seek more information about adult classes offered at the Northwest Techinal School, check out their website below article tools.

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