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Choreographer to Open Dance Studio in LIC With Classes for Toddlers

 Jessica Lang Dance performing at The Harris Theater in Chicago in November 2015.
Jessica Lang Dance performing at The Harris Theater in Chicago in November 2015.
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Todd Rosenberg

HUNTERS POINT — A choreographer and Long Island City residents will open a studio in the neighborhood this fall offering classes for dancers of all ages — including kids as young as 18 months.

The 6,100-square-foot Jessica Lang Dance Center is set to debut at 5-39 46th Ave., off of Vernon Boulevard, in September. It will serve as the base for Lang's professional dance company and will also offer classes and workshops for the community, she announced Monday.

"It's something that we have been talking about for a long time," she said. "We feel very lucky to be able to get to do this."

Lang — whose work has been performed by acclaimed institutions such as the Birmingham Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre — came to Long Island City eight years ago with her husband, dancer and choreographer Kanji Segawa

"When we moved there, we felt like we found home," she said.

While Jessica Lang Dance has previously held offices on Thomson Avenue, the new space will provide the company with its own rehearsal studios, which they will also rent out to other local arts groups who need it, she said.

Segawa, who's a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will run the new center. It will offer dance classes for adults — including ballet, dance fitness and folk dance — as well as for teens, kids and toddlers. 

"We're kind of hitting every age group," Lang said.

A class called "Move with Me," will be geared toward toddlers as young as 18 months and will focus on early development movement, colors, music and lights, she said.

"We just see that being a great resource for [parents] in their child’s development."

Prices for the classes have yet to be determined. Those who are interested can check the company's website for updates.