Education & Classes in Clark

The consortium of professional instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, which was cofounded by the legendary toe tapper himself, shepherds students of all ages and skill levels through lessons that span the style spectrum. Low-pressure private sessions allow enthusiastic teachers to fine-tune individual students' techniques and form, using their expert eyes and mechanical dancing shoes preprogrammed to do the cha-cha. Patrons can learn how to cavort through classic waltz and fox-trot romps or swivel through the modern steps of salsa, swing, or samba.

At Home Defense Site, Eddie Falcon strives to instill in his students a lifelong respect for gun use that puts safety first. Eddie boasts years of responsible gun use and ownership, and while continually training, he possesses knowledge in numerous fields of self-defense and protection. Backed by this experience, Eddie and his team teach the use of pepper spray and handcuffs, alongside their courses in rifles, shotguns, and handguns. As a complete self-defense training center, they can also instruct students in hand-to-hand combat, such as slapping an opponent with a white glove.

For 22 years, Richmond Music Center has provided the Staten Island community with an outlet for lessons, equipment, and services for musicians of all ages. Instructors with master’s degrees and professional careers lend their experience to new students and artists looking to improve, covering a wide variety of instruments for garage bands, school ensembles, and electric light orchestras. The center also believes in and practices the healing properties of music via music-therapy lessons for children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. A large collection of instruments, sheet music, and other necessities are available in the center’s shop, as well as repair and tuning services.

Enrico Aquino III began tinkling the ivories at the age of three, eventually playing his way to the hallowed performance spaces at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. The talented pianist was born into a musical family: his father opened a music school and piano store in New Jersey, and Aquino has kept the family tradition alive by embracing his father’s belief in friendly, encouraging instruction. The retailer pairs players with new and pre-owned pianos made by brands such as Seiler, J. Strauss & Son, and Baldwin Pianos or digital pianos from makers such as Viscount and Korg. The music academy, meanwhile, has guided fingers of all ages in waltzing across keys for more than 60 years. The academy’s skilled instructors delve into classical, jazz, and popular music during private lessons for pupils who have never read music to those who swallowed a metronome as a child and have been reaping the benefits ever since.