Florida Dance Workshop

Home of the award-winning "Florida Dance Company" & "Ovations" competition team.

Proudly serving Charlotte County Since 1991

Register Now
Class Schedule
Sign Up
Call
Email
Location
Contact Us

Dance Class for Ages 3+

Dance Styles: Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical/Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics & Hip Hop

Class Info

Class Information

Florida Dance Workshop provides a fun, nurturing environment.

Learn More
Dress Code 500 x 280-2

Dress Code

Florida Dance Workshop Dress Code for Dance Class and Performance.

Learn More
Dress Code 500 x 280

Student Handbook

The official Florida Dance Workshop handbook for all students.

Read the Handbook
  • AIX208_clipped_rev_1

    Quality Instruction

    Our classes are laid back and fun, but we are serious about helping each child become his or her own personal best. Our staff is certified to teach in all styles of dance from Dance Masters of America. Click to learn more about our classes.

  • DSC_8874_clipped_rev_2

    Nurturing Environment

    FDW provides a safe, fun, nurturing environment. We teach that hard work produces results and we help our dancers to achieve the genuine self-esteem that comes with mastery of technique. Click to learn more about our studio & policies.

  • Group-47_clipped_rev_3_clipped_rev_1

    Proven Success

    FDW is proud to have helped many dancers find success on a professional level. Broadway and Disney World, to Carnival Cruise Lines our dancers our performing all over the world. Click to read more about out student accomplishments.

  • HollysStarTouchUps-79_clipped_rev_6

    Performance Opportunities

    FDW students perform year-round throughout southwest Florida in charity events, competitions, and of course in our annual Showtime Production. Click learn about performance opportunities.

New students are always welcome for either recreational or career training.

bw-04@1200x524

About FDW

A fun, family-friendly, nurturing environment, where the experience is positive and the quality shows!

Susan (Labousier) Kickbush & Michelle (Labousier) Mandile are the mother/daughter team who founded the Florida Dance Workshop in 1991. FDW quickly became the forerunner in dance education and has repeatedly been named Charlotte County’s Best Performing Unit and voted Best Dance Studio by the Charlotte Sun.

Florida Dance Workshop is a place where the efforts, abilities, and varied talents of all students are respected by their teacher, and all fellow dancers. It is our goal to make classes and rehearsals fun, but we are serious about helping each child become his or her own personal best. We teach that hard work produces results and we help our dancers to achieve the genuine self-esteem that comes with mastery of technique. These important lessons also apply to life’s future challenges. We believe in seeking, not perfection, but excellence from all students, with the understanding that it be appropriate to their age level, ability, and interest. Florida Dance Workshop will never aspire to be the biggest school, but we will always strive to be the best!

Schedule Your Free Trial Class

Enter your information below to schedule your free trial class!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Testimonials

We love FDW! My daughter started dancing here at 3 years old and is growing into such a beautiful young lady not only in dance, but in life thanks in part to the amazing teachers at this studio. They are truly kind, caring and the kids absolutely love them all! I love the many unique styles of dance they offer and the professionalism every teacher has always shown. They have been in this community for over 30 years and the experience they have gained over the years shines through in every performance. We are so proud to be part of the FDW family and can't wait watch both my girls grow up here.
Amanda Wrasse
Cannot say enough about FDW! My daughter danced here through through school and went on to minor in dance at the University of Florida. My granddaughter has just started her sixth year at FDW. The studio is clean, staff is very caring, responsive and knowledgeable. Learning so much!
Denise Hoefer
My daughter has been with FDW since she was 3, she is now almost 10! They moved, we moved but we will always be with them because they have welcomed us with open arms and my daughter would never want to go anywhere else! She has taken all different disciplines with all the instructors…we love them all! So proud that her picture is on the wall from when she was little! They really make you feel like part of a family!

Thank you to all the instructors, Holly and Bev for the support and learning throughout the years! From the parade to showtime to classes, you are all amazing and we are so happy to be apart of the FDW team!!! - Samantha and Chloe

Even her little brother was put in the showtime book when he was just an itty bitty holding (and chewing) on an “I ♥️ FDW” sign lol will cherish those photos forever!
whinnie
Very professionally run studio and very accommodating! Holly and staff are wonderful!
shannon howard
Everyone here is just amazing and so nice!! I think we definitely found our dance home!
Marilyn Thompson
My daughter has participated with this studio for the past two years and has grown so much as a dancer and as a person. She looks forward to dance practice and doesn’t want to leave when it’s over. Her teammates and instructors have become family to her. She loves it so much that after her first year, she joined the competition team. I would highly recommend this dance company to anyone looking to join dance at any age. Thank you for being an inspiration to my daughter and setting the standard for her as well as raising the bar for her goals.
Laura Papol
This is such a great dance studio! Very very organized, kid friendly, and just overall amazing! We are so happy we found Florida Dance Workshop!
Amanda Osborne
testimonials-christine-m

April of 2013, my 3 daughters and I made the switch to FDW. We were so happy we found not only a studio that teaches quality dance curriculum, but also cares about their students, teaches them life lessons, treats them like family and believes in and encourages them!

Michelle and the other teachers welcomed my family with open arms and went out of their way to get them ready for the upcoming Showtime production. My heart was so full as I watched the balloons fall on my girls in the finale, my girls were so happy! I knew this was the kind of environment I wanted my children to be a part of.

I am so thankful to Michelle and all the teachers for giving my girls this opportunity to make great memories, learn life lessons and be able to take their dance experience and apply it to all walks of life as happy, focused and determined girls ready to pursue their goals!

Christine Mangiafico
FDW Parent of 3 students
24059719_10107312642352951_5484933990649672075_o
I was a member of FDW from 2nd grade in 1993 to high school graduation in 2004. I remember how much I looked forward to going to dance after school. I took classes in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and pointe.

I was the most excited to have the opportunity to dance with the Company and eventually the Ovations Competition Team. Looking back at my time in the studio, I built everlasting friendships, leaned discipline and grace from an amazing teacher, and competed across the state. To this day, I wish I was still taking dance a couple nights a week to stretch. I also miss things like the Rudolph game, the big reveal of costumes for the year, and of course, Showtime!

All my love to FDW!
Andrea Foley
FDW Alumni
testimonials-erin-g

I danced at FDW from age 3 to age 18. Dance has always been a major part of my life and a day rarely goes by that I’m not reminded of my days with FDW.

Now I am working as a resident doctor at USF. Although my day to day life has nothing to do with dance, I strongly believe that the skills I gained at FDW made me the person I am. Dancing taught me discipline, dedication, team work, attention to detail, creativity, patience, confidence, and compassion. During my interviews for medical school and residency dance was something my interviewers always asked me about because it set me apart and made me well rounded.

I wouldn’t trade my time at FDW for anything and consider Michelle, Susan and everyone at FDW my second family.

Erin Greenberg
FDW Alumni
81571565_10116641664702351_2618243313823645696_n
Florida Dance Workshop taught me teamwork, self-confidence, resilience, and diligence. Thank you, Michelle and Susan, for fostering not only the technical skills that create excellent dancers, but also the strength of character that creates great leaders.
 
Andrea Costa Laden
FDW Alumni
966636_10151421338900877_1804661394_o
Florida Dance Workshop was my second home growing up, and still to this day, I always feel a sense of family walking through the doors. Without Michelle, Susan and all of the wonderful training I received I would not be where I am today. I made lifelong friendships and connections throughout my years at FDW and will always cherish those memories and my years spent in the dance studio.
Katy Santa Maria
FDW Alumni, Performer with Universal Studios and Royal Caribbean
unnamed
My daughter has danced here for two years. We love all of the teachers. They have always been loving and kind to her. She has grown so much as dancers in the past two years.
Jessica Barber
unnamed
I am a student at Florida Dance Workshop and i love attending the dance school each and everyday throughout the week. Teachers are truly passionate in what they do and have tons of experience. Once you walk in through those doors they instantly treat you like family.
Luna Del Pino
unnamed
I have been dancing at this studio for eleven years since I was three years old and I have learned so much. I have gained so many friends and become a better person because of this studio. I have learned to be part of a team and to hold my own weight while also helping others. Not to mention, I have also become a great dancer because of the amazing teachers here. I would recommend Florida Dance Workshop for anyone looking to dance in Port Charlotte!!
Rylee R
unnamed
I am so very happy I found Florida Dance Workshop. My daughter started at just 3 years of age and has learned so much in just 2 seasons. The teachers are very patient and encouraging with the little ones; keeping them interested and giving them confidence. As long as she is dancing, it will be at FDW!
Adriana Ribas
unnamed
Absolutely wonderful experience at Florida Dance Workshop. My nine year old had taken dance for a year when she was 5, but took a few years off to try soccer and softball. She realized she really missed dance and it was her true passion, but was a little nervous to go back after missing so many years. We started with one class and loved it. The teachers, staff, and students were all amazing and supportive. I can not begin to express how grateful I am for the positive environment they have created for dancers of all skill levels. Simply the best. And Mrs. Deb at the front desk is nothing short of amazing! We are now on our second year at FDW and are enrolled in 4 classes. Excited about our dance future and thankful for this amazing studio and the staff that make it what it is ❤️
Carissa Kruzel
unnamed
Absolutely phenomenal. My daughter started dancing for two other studios since she was five and well it didn’t sit well for many reasons. She loved to dance so much I had to keep on the hunt. I was amazed when we found FDW. At first I was a bit nervous because well in the world we live in unfortunately we face some challenges with how we look. I have never felt this here ALL the teachers the students all are just utterly wonderful and kind. They make my daughter feel like family and keep me informed about everything they are so well organized and are just truly a wonderful team. Even the owner is so involved they take pride in their dancers. I wish I could turn back time and have found them when my baby girl was five however she has excelled and is doing spectacular things with this studio. So grateful highly recommend… can’t wait to see her transform in the next few years. Yes we are stayingggggg permanently
Angelica Solivan
unnamed
My daughter has danced here for the last 15 years. Great place to instill great work ethic and hard work which can be taken into adulthood. Family friendly and supportive
Natalie Iverson