As a shining example of performance success in her own right, owner Holly Grubb Smith operates Triple Threat School of Dance, Music, & Acting with style and savvy, embracing all the wisdom she has gathered personally while touring and teaching for over 31 years.
The High Point native owns both the studio’s convenient locations—the Winston-Salem location for the past 22 years, and the High Point studio for the past 12 years. Factor in the dedicated, gifted teaching staff of 13 who travel back and forth between the two studios, and the Triple Threat experience is a perfect choice if you have an eye on becoming a professional performer, or if you simply want to have fun and enjoy the arts!
If you’re curious about the name, Holly is happy to elaborate.
“In my years of auditioning, including for the Radio City Rockettes, where I performed for six years, I saw firsthand that true performers are proficient in all three areas,” says Holly. The trio of well-rounded programs at Triple Threat—that’s music, dance, and acting—allows students to develop skills working within a group setting, and inspires creativity in kids of all ages. Of course, each element on the Triple Threat “menu” sparks its own unique self-confidence in students, as well as enhanced self-esteem, but Triple Threat students can choose to focus on just one discipline at a time if that’s more in their comfort zone.
Besides her college degree in dance education (with certification for K-12), her years of professional dancing leave Holly well-equipped to guide anyone learning the ropes of auditioning and taking their learning to the next level—making dance, music or acting a rewarding career. Triple Threat also has its own competition team, giving young dancers opportunities to perform on stage throughout the year. In addition to their more traditional June recitals, the school also presents a Benefit Performance in February, where ticket proceeds go to assist a children’s charity or a family in need.
“Not only does the Benefit Performance give our students the chance to perform on stage, it also teaches them to give back to the community,” says Holly.
Besides the fun and excitement of singing, dancing, and forming new friendships, exposing children—and even adults –to dance, music and acting, helps boost the brain, build motor skills, and most of all, create all-important confidence.
“Being part of a dance, music, and acting studio teaches important social and life skills like discipline, teamwork, how to relate to others, and strong leadership skills,” Holly explains. “These lessons also help with focus, and stimulate the brain in association with memory, emotional development, and academic achievement.”
Clearly not solely for kids—if the idea of strengthening your own focus and memory is appealing, maybe it’s time to take up a new hobby as an adult! The dance and music “menu” at Triple Threat seems to cover it all: ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip-hop, pointe, and tumble on the dance side, or there are vocal lessons, electric and acoustic guitar, bass, ukulele, flute, viola, violin, drums, trombone, tuba, saxophone, and clarinet—all under one roof. For budding actors, Jr. Musical Theatre is for ages five through 10, and includes dance, voice and acting. Drama II for middle and high school students, who will also learn stage direction and experience the opportunity to direct other students in class scenes.
And there’s an extra special ingredient in every single one of those classes!
“We focus on education and technique, but we also focus on love,” shares Holly. “For example, one of our younger students may have had a particularly difficult day at school, but coming here afterwards gives them a positive outlet, with something fun and happy to anticipate!”
Triple Threat provides an all-inclusive environment, a strong staff of teachers with impressive backgrounds, and an overall air of comfort and consistency for ages at which many children need it most. The studio also offers an arts-based preschool program, for ages two through five, that includes an academic curriculum that’s also sprinkled—of course—with visual arts, music, movement, and dramatic arts.
Visit Triple Threat School of Dance, Music, & Acting at 4759 Commercial Plaza Street, Winston-Salem, to see for yourself how the creativity flows and how those masterful rhythms can benefit your own family! Reach them at 336-794-3942, and online at 3threatdance.com for details on registering, class schedules, and complete parent information. Triple Threat in High Point is located at 4008 Mendenhall Oaks Pkwy, Suite 113, in High Point, 336-884-3942. Both studios run on the school calendar year from August through June—with summer camps also available in dance, music, and acting—and they also do birthday parties!
