From the Barre to Business: Lessons from 16 Years of Dance at The Dancing House

As The Dancing House wrapped up its annual winter recital this past weekend, I felt it was the perfect moment to revisit and elaborate on one of my most popular blog posts. Reflecting on the journey, both personal and professional, dance continues to shape my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined 16 years ago when this dream of The Dancing House first began.

As a dancer myself, a mama of a dancer, and a teacher to so many dancers of every age and ability over the years, I’ve come to appreciate not just the beauty of dance, but the profound life lessons it teaches.

Lessons Through Dance

Dance has a way of revealing life’s truths—its beauty, its hardships, and the slow, sometimes painful, growth that comes from persistence. The discipline required to perfect a step mirrors the discipline needed to navigate life’s challenges. Staying the course when it gets hard or feels impossible—only to one day master that move as if the sweat, pain, and tears never happened—is a lesson that applies far beyond the studio walls.

The friendships I’ve made through dance have been lifelong treasures. My community of dancers, mentors, and teachers have shaped not just my artistry but also my character. To this day, their words echo in my mind while I’m teaching: gentle corrections, inspiring affirmations, and reminders to reach just a little further.

Building More Than a Business

I genuinely believe my dance education is the foundation of who I am today—as a person and as a businesswoman. Dance taught me how to be resourceful in last-minute situations, how to try new strategies when faced with challenges, and how to passionately believe in a dream so much that I’m willing to work, stretch, and leap a little higher in every way. 😉

The art and discipline of dance demand adaptability and resilience, skills that have translated directly into running a business. From choreographing routines to managing a studio, these parallels remind me daily of how intertwined my journey in dance and entrepreneurship truly is.

A Platform for Growth

Dance has been the beautiful platform for so much of my personal growth—physically, mentally, and spiritually. It’s taught me to embrace vulnerability and to celebrate progress, no matter how small. And now, 16 years in, I get to watch countless kiddos and adults experience that same joy. Whether they join us for a single class or a session or stay for years, seeing their confidence blossom on the dance floor fills my heart in ways I can hardly put into words.

Looking Ahead

As I look back on the past 16 years and forward to the future, I’m filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the dancers, parents, and teachers who make this journey so rewarding. Gratitude for the art form that continues to challenge and inspire me. And gratitude for the opportunity to share this incredible experience with my beautiful and generous community.

To all the dancers and families who have been a part of The Dancing House, thank you for making this dream possible. Here’s to many more years of growth, beauty, and, of course, dance.

Enjoy this classic - writer unknown. 

A friend of mine once asked me “Why do you spend so much time, money and effort on dance classes?” I responded quite easily with: I don’t pay for dance lessons, shoes, uniforms or costumes.

She looked at me with a puzzled look on her face. To which I responded with:

“You’re right, I do pay the dance school, but I do not pay for dance classes.

I pay for those moments when my child becomes so tired they feel like quitting but doesn’t.

I pay for the extra opportunity for my child to make life-long friendships.

I pay for the chance that they may have amazing instructors that will teach my child that dance is not just about movement but about life.

I pay for my child to learn the meaning of discipline outside the home and how to incorporate that into their life.

I pay for my child to learn to take care of their body.

I pay for my child to learn the meaning of teamwork and how to be a proud, supportive, kind and respectful team member.

I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don’t get something they hoped for, or messed up a move they have practiced a thousand times, but still has the determination to do their BEST next time…

I pay for my child to learn to make and accomplish goals.

I pay for my child to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to create an athlete, and that success does not happen overnight.

I pay so that my child can be in the studio instead of in front of a screen…

I could continue with my list, but to cut it short, I don’t pay for dance; I pay for the opportunities that dance provides my child to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their life and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others.

From what I have seen for many, many years of being the mom of a dancer, I think it is an investment in my child’s future!