The Daily Courier, May 3, 2012
PRESCOTT - Q & A with Summer Hinton, owner of Summer's DanceWorks at 843 Miller Valley Road, Prescott. Studio hours vary on class schedule throughout the week. For more information, call 583-7277 or visit www.summersdanceworks.com.
Q: What service do you provide in the community?
A: We provide dance classes for all ages and genders. We do basic dance classes such as tap, ballet and jazz, hip-hop. We also offer children's pre-dance and creative movement classes as well as partner dance classes including swing, country, salsa, cha-cha and waltz. We also specialize in wedding dances for couples.
Q: How did you get into this business?
A: As a child, I took dancing and realized I wanted to do dancing more than anything else. As I grew older, I took more classes and three weeks out of high school, I got my first dancing job in a big Vegas show at the Sahara Hotel.
For 10 years I danced in Vegas, Reno and USO tours around the world. I also did some television/variety shows. As my professional career ended, I got into teaching dance.
I've taught in this town for 16 years and I've owned my own studio for four and a half years. I've choreographed for Prescott High School for 11 years and I've done other work for the Prescott Center for the Arts, Sharlot Hall (Museum) and other community benefits and organizations.
Q: What's the key to your business longevity?
A: I think it's quality instruction, the desire to want to teach, and sharing with the students. I try to have a non-competitive environment. I think that's important. We want to make each class enjoyable, educational and entertaining. We like what we do here and we want to be here.
Q: What's the best business advice you've given and received?
A: The best business advice I've received is to stick with what you know and do it well. Nothing tops customer service and appreciation.
Q: What's something unique about you?
A: I was a Walt Disney comic book colorist for many years. I was the final step before the comic book and fine art books went to press and I would hand paint the pages. It was a great part-time job for me.
Q: How many hours a week do you work?
A: I'm here every day. An average day runs about eight to 10 hours.
Q: If you could take a week away, what would you do?
A: My mom has really been wanting to go on a cruise with my three boys, and I want to grant that wish for her.
Q: How are you handling the economy?
A: We offer family and multiple-class discounts. I haven't changed my prices in four years. We also offer opportunities for parents and students to work around the studio to help with the cost of classes.
Q: What's something unique about your business?
A: We offer classes for every age, level and all styles of dance. Students also get multiple opportunities to perform. Dancing is not just for the classroom.
Summer's DanceWorks recent addition of partner dancing for kids has already produced amazing results. Our first two 8 year old West Coast Swing dancers (only dancing partner dancing since October 2009 and only dancing West Coast Swing specifically since January 2010) have recently returned from Phoenix, where they won first place Gold in their age division and more recently came back from San Diego, CA, from a West Coast Swing Dance competition called "Swing Diego" where they triumphed over a couple from France to win first place in the "Young American" Division of that event. Chase Thomas (9) and Anika Larson (8) danced a routine in front of more than 1500 people who gave them a standing ovation for their performance to a Hanna Montana song, "If We were A Movie". They will also be part of the many dances on recital nights at Yavapai College.
For more information bout kids partner dancing or adult partner dancing; including, Swing, Country, Latin and other partner dance styles, please contact Mr. Russ at Summer's DanceWorks, (928) 583-7277).
Miss
Summer's "Stars" and "Star-Lites" dance companies traveled to Phoenix to
watch the Showstopper dance competition. The purpose of the field trip was
to see, first hand, just how dance competitions functioned. Having the honor
of becoming Summer's DanceWorks first competitive and performace dance companies,
the young dancers were indeed star-struck at the different levels of competative
dancers."It was fun to watch all the dancers show off what they had been
working on.." said one Star Company dancer. I really liked seeing how all
of our hard work will make us better dancers, I can't wait until we get
a trophy" said a young Star-Lite dancer.
The "Star" company dancers range from 10 to 12 years of age while the "Star-Lites" are as young as 7 to 9 years old. "A dancer must show talent, dedication and most of all, a strong desire to excel in dance. Another major factor to become a company dancer is attitude." said Miss Summer. "Even though a dancer may not have kicks that are as high as another, if their attitude is good, they could become a great dancer."
Although the Star and Star-Lites did not compete this past weekend, Mr. Russ took two young dancers that did. Anika Larson and Chase Thomas (ages 8 and 9) put their West Coast Swing partner dance routine on the floor in the 8 year old Open Duet Division of the Starstopper event. Having never even tried partner dancing prior to a few months ago and certainly never having danced the most difficult dance, West Coast Swing (the dance that made Benji Schwimmer famous when he won "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2006 along with his sister Lacey (who dances as a pro on "Dancing wioth the Stars") Anika and Chase proudly took Gold First Place in their Division.
Additionally, they took Gold First Place, winning the overall 8 year old division! "I was apprehensive about taking the kids so soon after learning the routine, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to place them in front of a real audience and letting them feel and see what it's like to perform in front of judges who were probably not familiar with this particular dance.
Our goal is to take their routine to the US Open Swing Dance Championships, in Burbank, CA over Thanksgiving. It's the largest swing dance competition in the world. I was so proud of them...they nailed it!" even the jusdges were clapping their hands and grinning ear to ear while the kids performed. "I hadn't seen the judges get that involved in a performance while they were actually judging. "said Mr. Russ. "They [judges] were actually clapping and focusing completely in what was obviously total enjoyment. It showed how impressed they were when the kids received their highest honors! I was so proud! Mr. Russ said with a big grin.
Anika and Chase brought back the first two trophies under the name of Summer's DanceWorks. Open less than two years, we expect that they are just the first of many more to come.
Phoenix Road Trip! February 21, 2009
Recently,
Summer's DanceWorks started "Teen Swing" and "Swing Kids"
(spaces still available). This past weekend (Saturday Feb. 21, 2009) we
visited with friends Benji Scwhimmer (Fox TV Season 2 So You Think You Can
Dance winner) Benji_Schwimmer
and Lacey
Schwimmer (ABC's current Dancing with the Stars professional instructor)
and their mom, Laurie Kauffman, (professional choreographer, instructor)
to help them celebrate Laurie's grand opening of her new dance studio in
Phoenix, Planet Dance, 10636 N. 32nd Street Suite 105 (NW Corner of 32nd
Street & Shea) 602-493-4746.
Having known the Schwimmer clan for many years (including, Buddy, "The King of Swing" [dance] father of Benji and Lacey) we were delighted when we discovered that Laurie had moved to Phoenix and that she and her husband, Tim Kauffman, just opened Planet Dance and would be teaching all forms of dance.
Summer and Russ brought some of the"Teen Swing" class to Laurie's Grand Opening so that they could meet our friends and experience world champion dance/celebrities up close.
After the visit, we realized that, not only were our teens inspired at the skill and performances of Benji and Lacey, but also they were amazed at how celebrity has not spoiled Beji and Lacey...they are the same sweet kids I met 10 years ago.
Laurie, of course, has been a wonderful influence on, not only their own kids, but also on many kids who "grew up" with the Schwimmer dance family. Many include current World and National Dance Champions. Summer's DanceWorks wish Laurie, Tim, Benji and Lacey much success and ...break a leg!
The Daily Courier, October 27, 2008
PRESCOTT
- About a decade ago, 85-year-old Sue Chambers started tap dancing at the
Prescott Adult Center, inspiring healthy seniors across the tri-city area
to aspire to their dreams. Shortly after she began, Chambers attended an
open house of the Dance Studio off Iron Springs Road, where she won a door
prize and a month of free lessons.
Today, Chambers has taken her dancing to another level at Summer's Dance Works, 843 Miller Valley Road, where instructor Summer Hinton fine tunes the skills of dancers young and old. Each week, Chambers attends the complex's seven-member Adult Tap I class and follows it up as a member of the Lady Star Tap Company.
She enjoys the camaraderie of a close-knit group of women, including friend Erna Belle Rodgers, 77, with whom she practices tap nearly every day in Rodgers' garage. "Sue comes over whenever she can, and sometimes we practice a whole hour," said Rodgers, who is also an avid walker. "Besides it being fun, it helps me physically and mentally, because I love to exercise." Chambers, a native New Yorker who has four children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, said she always wanted to tap, but she and her husband, Loyd, could never afford it. When Loyd passed away, she decided to give it a shot.
Chambers, a retired longtime volunteer in the Prescott Police Department's records section, says dancing invigorates her life and keeps her in prime physical shape. "The other women that are in it are all so communal," said Chambers, who also does aerobics four days a week at the Prescott YMCA and volunteers at the American Legion. "We have the same interests, and you build nice friendships. It's something to look forward to all the time." Barbara Jayne, one of the veteran tap dancers in the group, agreed. "Tap gives you a zest for life, and then you don't think of age being any barrier," Jayne said. "Sure, you get exercise but it perks up your energy. You don't dread coming here."
Hinton's tap group performs at various retirement home venues across the city, charity events, the Yavapai County Fair and Yavapai College, among others. Well beforehand, Hinton teaches the ladies a combination of three or four steps put to music. From there, she composes a routine in advance of recitals. Over the past couple years, the women have traveled to Phoenix three times for competitions, and done quite well on each occasion.
"These women are inspiring," Hinton said. "They're always practicing. They come in early. They stay late. And they're always up for anything." In early July, the group went to Las Vegas for the Kids Artistic Review Nationals, where they were tops in the tap division for adults and took second place overall. The ladies will perform at their next major event in February. "It was fantastic," Rodgers said of the group claiming trophies for its efforts, hardware which remains on display at the studio. "The judges will write down little things about our performance so we know how to improve our moves, and we practice that." Above all, Chambers praised Hinton for the ladies' recent progression on the dance floor.
"Summer is a very good teacher, and she doesn't criticize," Chambers said. "She encourages."
The Daily Courier, August 12, 2008
Tuesday,
August 12, 2008 PRESCOTT - Summer Hinton has some smooth moves.
Hinton is sharing her decades of dance experience with students at her new
dance studio, Summer's DanceWorks at 843 Miller Valley Road.
"I love teaching people of all ages," she said. "I'm smiling all day long because I'm teaching all day long." Hinton teaches tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, partner and ballroom dancing, with classes for adults and children.
The first class is 9 a.m. and the last is around 8 p.m. to accommodate the schedules of young children, students and working adults.
Hinton credits her mother with getting her into dancing after playing records of Broadway musicals during Sunday morning breakfasts. "After singing and dancing and knocking over a few lamps, my mother decided to put me in dance class to help channel my energy," she said.
Dance classes over the years gave Hinton the push she needed to seek a bigger stage. "I knew that I at least wanted to try to be a professional," she said. Three weeks after graduating from high school in the mid-1970s, Hinton bought a ticket and flew in for an audition at a prominent hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Hinton got a job as a jazz and tap dancer a few days later. "I just loved it so much I stayed with it," she said.
Over the ensuing decade, Hinton's dancing skills kept her busy with stints on television, three U.S.O. tours, and shows in Las Vegas and Reno. Hinton then went into dance teaching and choreography. "Ever since high school I've been very lucky to always make my living from some aspect of dancing," she said.
She charges $50 a month for once-a-week classes, and offers family and multiple-class discounts. For information, call 583-7277 or visit www.summersdanceworks.com.