Albany dance studio A Time To sets itself apart

ALBANY — A dance studio on Gillionville Road is providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn new moves or break a sweat.

A Time To has been open at 2007 Gillionville Road, in the former Hayes Pharmacy, since June 2014. Samantha Lee Helton, the studio’s co-owner and head instructor, is a native of Leesburg who holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in dance from Valdosta State University.

Her areas of expertise include jazz, tap, ballet, modern dance, Latin dance styles, dance pedagogy and basic kineseology. Helton returned to Albany after graduating VSU and began teaching classes at the Albany Area YMCA. She soon expanded her business to Darton State College, where she started offering physical education classes in both Latin dance and Zumba.

From there, Helton further expanded to various gym facilities in the Albany area before opening a studio in 2012 in a strip mall.

“I had been teaching in gyms for four years, and I decided I was ready to do my own thing,” she said.

Two years later, Helton took a leap of faith and moved into her own facility after her business outgrew its space. Her husband, Ashley Helton, is studio co-owner and instructor, while Myra Hundley serves as a relaxation yoga instructor.

They started with the fitness component, and dance was added later. Ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, hip-hop, ballroom dancing, Zumba, pilates, competition dance training and private lessons for special events are among the dance styles taught. The studio offers instruction to toddlers and has people in its classes who are in their 80s.

“We offer stuff for everyone,” Samantha Helton said. “Moms can drop off their daughters for dance class and take one of our fitness classes.”

The studio is still relatively small, allowing for more one-on-one instruction. That is an element parents appreciate, while many also appreciate the focus of the fitness component.

“We don’t worry about weight loss,” Helton said. “We worry about being healthy. We focus more on taking care of the whole individual.”

Bob Perry and his wife, Donna Perry, got involved with the studio in January after their daughter won a six-week session at an auction. The session was for ballroom dancing, so the Perrys were able to learn the Waltz in a session where they were the only couple.

They are currently waiting for the studio to open another class during which they hope to participate with other couples.

“We just enjoy going there,” Bob Perry said. “They (the Heltons) are a sweet, young couple and they enjoy what they do.”

The Perrys are in their 60s and found the Waltz class offered good exercise — and found the sessions to be of particular benefit when they practiced at home. They also found the people at A Time To to be open and patient.

“They were not critical at all,” said Bob Perry, who noted that he would recommend the studio to any age group.

Joann Pope, 79, is taking lessons at the studio to prepare for the Southwest Georgia Senior Beauty Pageant later this month. She attended the YMCA when Samantha Helton was there, and from there got connected to the studio.

“You just have a lot of fun, and Samantha is a good and patient teacher. It doesn’t matter if you can dance or not,” Pope said.

Pope, who is taking a line class at A Time To, has always had an active lifestyle. She competed in triathlons for 30 years, but had to switch to an activity that was less bothersome on her knees.

“I come daily, and I feel so much better,” she said.

Devan Rolfe, 14, has ambitions to be a professional dancer. Her family has had experience with a few studios in the past, and when their previous one closed, they sought out a new venue. A Time To, Devan said, has served her much better than the others.

“I’ve learned more at (A Time To) than any other studio I have been to,” she said. “They are awesome people. Some of my closest friends are there.”

Devan said she gets more one-on-one instruction than she has before, there is always time for someone to work on a particular skill and there is a rotation in the lead positions. If a dancer is late developing a skill set, a method is found to bring them up to speed. The studio also offers all the dance types she wants.

“A lot of studios can be clique-ish,” said Devan’s mother, Amy Rolfe. “We’ve experienced that with other studios. (A Time To’s instructors) are particular in how they instruct, but they do it with the individual student in mind.”

Devan has had injuries in the past, which she said Samantha Helton has helped her find ways to get around.

“She showed me modified ways to do stuff,” the teen said.

Devan recently took part in a dance competition and received a “platinum” rating, a feat she was not expecting. Her goal is to get into the dance program at the University of Georgia after she graduates from high school.

“I feel now I have a chance at that,” she said.

The one-on-one instruction their daughter receives is a big deal for the Rolfes. They have even seen it incorporated into bigger classes offered at the studio.

“She (Samantha Helton) makes sure all the needs are met,” said Amy Rolfe. “She and her husband do something good for this community. A Time To is very different. They focus on a lot of areas other studios don’t. It’s nice to see a young couple in the this community making a difference. There’s no reason they couldn’t have that impact on others.

“The biggest battle they have is getting the word out. I would like to see an increase in the number of people utilizing the studio. (Many more) could benefit, they are just not aware. I like to see anybody improve themselves and find a place they belong. I see them (the Heltons) sacrifice their personal life and put their all into this.”

The community appears to be responding to A Time To’s approach, as enrollment has increased. Samantha Helton said there is not much turnover at the studio, and the anticipation is that more fitness participants will come in over the summer. In all, there are five people on staff, and the studio is looking to hire two new instructors for the fall, she said.

The studio has a no-commitment option that expires after six months, unlimited class options ranging from $40 for one month to $450 for a year, except for specialty classes, children’s Zumba for $40 for six classes or $10 for dropping in, and ballroom dancing for $25 per individual or $40 per couple for a monthlong session or for a drop-in fee of $10 per individual or $15 per couple.

For children, the monthly tuition dance fees range from $50-$80. The cost covers two or three classes, depending on the age group. Each additional class is $10, and individual classes may be purchased at the rate of $25 per month per class.

The studio will also offer a summer dance program on Monday and Tuesday evenings and intensives on Thursday evenings.

Beyond those costs, there are no joining fees, monthly memberships or yearly facility maintenance fees. For more information on the studio, visit atimeto.com or call (229) 349-3091.