Parker Esse is a multi-award-winning director/choreographer known for his visionary, energetic, and earnest story-driven work. He has been hailed a “genius” by national publications such as The Washington Post. After performing as a featured performer on Broadway in the Tony Award winning Fosse (with Ben Vereen, Bebe Neuwirth and Ann Reinking, which was taped for PBS Great Performances), in National Tours and Regionally, he began collaborating on multiple Broadway, Off- Broadway, NYC and Regional shows as an associate director/choreographer. For 5 years he worked closely along-side his mentor and friend Baayork Lee, before beginning his exclusive collaboration as associate director/choreographer with Warren Carlyle, creating Broadway’s Tony and Drama Desk Nominated, and Multi Award-Winning productions of Finian’s Rainbow, A Tale of Two Cities, and Follies, as well as five critically acclaimed NY City Center Encores! Productions (Stairway to Paradise, Juno, On the Town, Girl Crazy, Finian’s Rainbow), and for Regional Theaters including The Kennedy Center, Goodspeed Musicals, Paper Mill Playhouse, The Old Globe, Asolo Rep, the National Tour of 101 Dalmatians and the Feature Film Deception starring Hugh Jackman and Ewan McGregor with 20th Century Fox.” (full bio available in workshop description)
We are excited to announce that Open Door Studios has been selected as a Culture Blocks Partner Facility. This distinction will allow us to more deeply collaborate with our East Charlotte community and our Cultural and Artistic partner organizations. But most importantly- it will allow us to offer two weekly classes for FREE! Our Full Radius Class and our new ¡Bailemos! Let’s Dance! class will be offered Oct.- Dec. for free. Our vision for these classes is to further open our door to our East Charlotte neighbors or anyone else that has not yet been to ODS, allow anyone in our community (including YOU) to try something new and to eliminate the financial barrier to dance for all. So if you or someone you know has been waiting for the perfect moment to try out our classes please share the news!
¡Bailemos! Let’s Dance! will introduce young dancers to the basics of ballet, jazz, contemporary and acro dance styles. This bi-lingual class introduces students to the joys of combining imagination and movement with music. Its primary objective is to build upon the natural instinct of the body to move in space and allow the student to gain self-confidence and believe in his/her own creativity.
This class is FREE to attend.
¡Bailemos! Let’s Dance! is sponsored by Culture Blocks— a community partnership funded by Mecklenburg County.
Dates: 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18
Full Radius Technique is a rigorous, low-impact, contemporary dance class designed for all bodies where participants choose their own embodiment to explore; seated, standing, or on the floor.
This class invites beginning through professional dancers, ages teen through senior, for dancers with and without disabilities to move together. Full Radius Technique is taught by Amber Johnson with assistance by Erin Badger-Coffey and accompaniment by Baba Freddie Rivera.
This class is FREE to attend.
Full Radius Technique Class is sponsored by Culture Blocks— a community partnership funded by Mecklenburg County.
Fridays: 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20
We accept all dancers, in every form. We seek to provide a safe haven for everyone to learn, to express, to create and to grow. Our mission is simply, “Dance is for Everyone”.
Open Door Studios provides a unique offering of adult and youth dance and fitness classes. Classes are taught by professionals with extensive backgrounds in education and performance.
Experience a refreshing approach to dance instruction in a non-intimidating atmosphere sure to challenge, inspire and move you.
Find What Moves You
“This is one of the most exceptional dance studios I have ever experienced. Both of my daughters have danced there for many years. One of them landed a national Broadway tour right out of high school and the other has special needs and this studio has welcomed her with open arms. They now offer an inclusive dance experience called Step Together! They are not caught up in the over the top competitive nature that many dance studios are involved in. Their priority is the joy of dance and challenging each individual to explore and experience this art form to the best of their ability! I am so grateful to be a part of the Open Door family!”
“Open Door Studio has changed my daughter’s life. She started private lessons as a 10 year old with Cerebral Palsy – an instructor identified who was willing to take her as a student. Those lessons, with the diligent work of her instructors, eventually replaced clinical physical therapy with the added bonus of feeding her artistic soul. Now, at 16 years old, my daughter views herself as a dancer. And, thanks to Open Door Studio’s willingness to “expand the tent”, attends a group class that includes and honors her body – Step Together. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.”
“Our five year old daughter absolutely loves her class and Ms. Kim has a magical talent to herd the tots and littles.”
“This has been my first year at Open Door Studios, and it has definitely been a great one. I can see my growth not only as a dancer but also as a kind human being. The teachers are very nice, supportive, and knowledgeable. I have made so many new friends this year and everyone is kind and supportive. ODS is truly dance for all people, no matter their age or ability. I had the opportunity to take part in the Step Together adaptive dance program this year. This is a very unique program and there are not many opportunities like this in Charlotte. We have many performance opportunities that are all incredibly professional and well run. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings! If you are looking for a studio home, this is it!”
Please take some time to visit our online schedule!
Browse our class description pages and instructor bios.
Find a class that interests you and sign up today!