New Steps Dance & Fitness Center

New Steps Dance & Fitness Center has taught dance to young people and adults since 1984, when founder Tammy Carlson opened the studio. The studio moved to its current home in spring 2021—a 2700 sq ft standalone building at 31 Concord Street in the Glastonbury town centre, positioned at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. It is now owned and directed by Janelle, who joined New Steps at age 5 and has grown the studio while keeping its original vision intact.

The dance programme serves ages 2 through adults. Classes are structured in year-long sessions (September through the recital in spring) and seasonal sessions ranging from 4 to 10 weeks. Year-long classes meet once per week for either 45 or 60 minutes. Year-long classes run September 22 to January 31 (first semester), then February through the recital (second semester). Students are placed according to both age and ability; placement is not age-based alone. All year-long students are invited to perform in the annual recital, though participation is optional. Class styles include ballet, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, and for adults, tap, ballet, modern, barre, Pilates and total body tone. The Twinkle Tots programme serves the youngest dancers in six or eight-week seasonal sessions. Adult dance classes are offered with no experience required. The studio does not compete and is non-competitive; the focus is on self-expression, learning and personal growth.

The fitness programme began in 2016 and is directed by Janelle, who holds a degree in Exercise Science. Fitness classes run in 10-week sessions for adults 18 and older, are 60 minutes long, and include barre, Pilates and total body tone. Classes cater to busy adults and are open to all genders, though marketed to women. Fitness instructors follow the same philosophy as the dance faculty: set achievable goals and build on success.

The studio hosts a year-end recital typically lasting 2.5 hours, attended only by year-long dance students. It also runs birthday parties year-round, offering a choice of dance styles (ballet, jazz, hip hop, or combinations) plus optional arts and crafts activities. Parties accommodate up to 14 guests for 1.5 hours. The studio has hosted community events including performances at the Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival, the Yard Goats baseball game, and the Glastonbury Town Centre 20th anniversary. The studio runs fundraisers such as PJ Day for the Kids (supporting Connecticut Children's Medical Center) and Night Out for the Cure (supporting metastatic breast cancer research at Smilow Cancer Hospital).

The facility has a dance floor and locker rooms. Classes maintain strict studio etiquette: no outside shoes on dance floors, only water allowed during class, and clean indoor sneakers required for certain styles. A dress code applies to minors: leotard, tights and appropriate dance shoes; hair pulled back; no baggy or loose garments. Adult dance classes do not follow the dress code and may wear athletic wear.

On your first visit, contact the studio to confirm class placement based on your age and experience. You'll drop off downstairs in the locker room, get your shoes on, and head to class. Classes run 45 or 60 minutes depending on the level. The studio is smoke-free and enforces a no-shoes-on-the-floor policy to keep dance surfaces clean.

The studio is directed by Janelle, who has been dancing at New Steps since age 5 and holds a degree in Exercise Science. The original studio was founded by Tammy Carlson; her sister Tracy Lombardo took ownership and moved the studio to Glastonbury in 2004. The source names no other current instructors by name.

The studio has classes for all levels and works with you on appropriate placement; no experience is required for adult dance classes.