A Stunning Expansion For Dance Studio

The public is invited to take a look at an astounding transformation Monday.

Expressions Dance Studio will hold an open house and registration at its new location, in the former Knights of Columbus Hall on Center Street, from 4 to 8 p.m.

There will be a ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m. followed by tours and refreshments.

We’ve had lots of visitors coming by curious about the change, Jade Brown, who started the dance studio at a downtown location in 2011, said. We’ve had lots of volunteers painting and remodeling and everyone from the Knights of Columbus has been very supportive.

Faced with changing demographics, the Knights of Columbus decided early this year to sell their longtime hall, the place where thousands of chicken dinners, beef tips and pancakes were served over the years and home to hundreds of banquets, receptions and funeral dinners over the decades.

Brown purchased the building and in just a few weeks—since the deal was closed on Aug. 15—has transformed the former banquet hall, lounge and kitchen into a colorful new space devoted to the creative spirit.

The studio includes an entry and waiting room with small store, a dancers den where students and parents can hang out between classes, and a large bright studio with mirrored wall.

It’s double the size of our old studio, Brown said. We have a competition-size stage now.

It’s not just aesthetics, Brown said. The cramped downtown location limited the routines and moves dancers could attempt.

It’s going to help with technique and overall experience, she explained. It will also allow us to get more dynamic with our choreography.

There is also a photography studio that Brown plans to use to take photos of various dancers and teams.

Future plans include a glam room carved from the former kitchen, where dancers can prepare for photographs and competitions and a separate studio in the former lounge area that will be available for rent for groups interested in yoga, aerobics, Zumba and other classes.

The large parking lot is also a plus, she said.

Brown said she made the move because her business is growing quickly, and she simply ran out of space.

Up to now, I’ve had to turn people away from my classes because I didn’t have room, she said. I want to give kids a second home, a place where they can come and grow and prosper.

Brown said she hopes to have the studio ready for classes in October.

Expressions offers classes for near-toddlers through high school age. It focuses on a range of styles, including hip-hop, jazz, lyrical contemporary, ballet/tap, musical theater and acrobatics.

The studio also fields competitive teams, which netted several regional championships earlier this year.

Brown stressed that the transformation would not have been possible without the help of parents, volunteers and her students.

I’m grateful to everyone who helped, she said.

Jade Brown in the new Expressions Dance Studio, located in the former Knights of Columbus Hall.

Source: Antigo Daily Journal