NEW SCOTLAND — Katie Kind spent years learning how to dance; now, she is teaching kids in New Scotland everything from tap and ballet to jazz and hip-hop.

Kind opened her studio, Kind Performing Arts, over a year ago. She started out in an end unit in Stonewall Plaza, located at the intersection of routes 85 and 85A, and soon moved to a larger space a few businesses down to accommodate her growing classes.
 

“I like to keep the size of the classes manageable,” Kind said, adding that one reason for smaller classes is so each child can get the attention they need. Classes are capped at 12 for older kids and at 10 for younger children; larger classes often have two instructors.

Three other women teach dance with Kind, as well as music classes for infants and toddlers.

“We have a very creative way of teaching,” Kind said, describing her studio’s style as less rigid than a typical dance class. “I feel like it’s fun for the kids.”

“All the teachers and myself are very experienced,” and must love kids to work and teach there, she continued.

Kind also emphasized that her studio does more than just dance classes, including “mommy-and-me” music classes and musical theatre for older children.

Classes are available for all age groups between eight months old to eighth grade. During school breaks, special classes are taught, such as Irish step dancing or kids’ yoga.

In the summer, Kind also offers adult hip-hop classes.

“I do a lot of different things,” she said, “That’s what’s fun about it.”

The regular season for her studio is September through May, and at the end of the season, students perform in a recital at the Lydia C. Tobler Performing Arts Center at Voorheesville Middle School, where they can show off all they learned over the past months.

Kind Performing Arts also offers birthday parties year round — Kind said they had about seven this summer.

“Parents bring a cake and we do the rest,” said Kind, a parent herself.

Kind spent many years after college dancing with groups in dinner theaters, cruise ships, and theme parks.

She then began teaching dance in other studios and local schools before taking the leap and starting her own business.

“I’ve danced my whole life,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to do this. It’s kind of like a dream, actually.”

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Kind Performing Arts is hosting an open house this Saturday, Sept. 6, from noon to 2 p.m., where anyone interested in Kind’s studio and classes can come learn more.