Our story

My passion for dance started at a young age.

I am a proud prairie girl that was born and raised in Estevan, Saskatchewan. Although I moved around a little in my teenage years, most of my dance training took place in Estevan and that is where I developed my passion for dance. When I was two-and-a-half years old, I overheard my parents talking about a new dance studio that was opening in town and immediately started insisting that I be put in dance classes. After a little convincing (the dance studio required a minimum age of three years old), the dance teacher allowed me to participate in the dance class and I haven’t looked back since. Little did I know that was the moment that would change my life forever; I had found a passion for something that excites me every single day and that I cannot imagine a single day without.

After years in the studio taking my exams and competing at dance competitions, it was time to start thinking about what my life would look like after graduation. I spent some time training with the State Street Ballet Company in Santa Barbara, California and found myself getting increasingly interested in assisting my Director with the student program on Saturday mornings. It became evident that, even though I loved performing on stage, my true passion was teaching and sharing my knowledge with others.

I decided that teaching dance was my true passion.

I came back home and started teaching at a few of the Drewtiz family southern Saskatchewan dance schools along with the studio that I grew up at. With the help of my dance teacher, Lorie-Gay Drewits Gallaway, I completed my three-year Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teachers certification in Ballet, my ADAPT Tap and Jazz teaching certifications, the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA) teachers certification in Tap, Jazz and Ballet and my associate membership in Highland dancing! I was hired to teach the ballet program at Martin School of Dance, but quickly came to realize that I still had more to offer. At the young age of 24, with the amazing support of my family and my mom by my side, I took a leap of faith and I opened Dance City!

Introducing… Dance City!

Dance City opened in 2004 with one classroom, one teacher (me!) and my mom at the front desk. I couldn’t have imagined the positive reception we received when we opened and was amazed that we had 140 students registered in our first season!

Shortly after, I met my husband Brett who jumped right in to assist with every aspect of studio – except teaching. (We’re still working on his dance skills… he almost has his chassés!) My dream was quickly turning into reality, and after two years of business we split into two streams – a competitive/exam program and a foundations/recreational program. We made many mistakes along the way, but we never gave up and continued pouring all our energy into the business. My vision was so clear; I was passionately teaching 6-7 days a week and was determined to train my new students to be the best dancers they could be.

After two years, the studio underwent its first expansion – a small 800 square foot studio and our first new teacher!

In the summer of 2008, Brett and I got married and in July 2009 little Ethan joined our family. The office at the studio turned into a nursery, we hired a couple more teachers and Brett left his job at SaskTel to focus full time on the studio and our family. Once again, it wasn’t long until we outgrew our studio space, so we underwent another expansion just in time for us to welcome our second baby, Kayden, to our family. We were so thankful that the studio was growing and excelling, we had an amazing team of teachers and staff and all our hard work was falling into place.

Over 15 years of dance excellence.

In 2018, we celebrated 15 years of dance. We underwent yet another renovation that got us to where we are today with three large, 1400-2000 square foot studios, two large waiting rooms with viewing TVs, a senior student lounge, large receptionist area, washrooms, changerooms and a kitchen. In August 2021 we announced yet another exciting milestone for the studio… In fall 2021 we will be moving into an upgraded, beautiful and spacious 14,000 square foot facility that will be home to four studios… a 2000 square foot studio, an 1800 square foot studio and two 1400 square foot studios. The facility also includes lobbies, homework room, lockers, several bathrooms, a full kitchen, 75 parking stalls, lovely receptionist area, offices and so much more! Watch this video to learn more about our new home.

As we move into our 18th season, we are now home to over 500 dancers and I feel more energized than I did the day I opened. I am motivated to make our studio an even better place for your child to grow up in, as we strive to offer an environment that our students feel safe and nurtured in.

This time of year encourages us to reflect on and be thankful for our blessings… my two healthy boys and my seriously supportive husband, Brett. I have been blessed to raise my boys at the studio, both of whom have been dancing since the day they could walk.

I am also beyond thankful for all our Dance City families. The success of the studio isn’t possible without your support, so thank you, thank you, thank you!

About us

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