New Dance Instruction Center To Open in Overton

By MAGGIE MCMURRAY

Moapa Valley Progress

A new dance studio is opening in Moapa Valley, bringing with it all the benefits of a big-city studio. Longtime valley dance teacher, Annie Leavitt has recently rented and refurbished a building to be used solely for the advancement of the performing arts.

Historically, dance classes have been taught in rented space in local recreation venues, requiring teachers to drag all their sound equipment with them and frequently have classes canceled due to conflicting schedules in the facility.
“In the past we’ve always had to rent a space for dance, which is really great that they have that as an option, but you’re always sharing,” Leavitt said. “Our goal here is to make a space that is just for dance, like the studios I had growing up.”

Leavitt said she has had the dream of owning her own studio for many years, but until now the time hasn’t been right. Then one day she saw a for rent sign in front of a commercial building located at 261 South Jones in Overton. The building was a former home to Cappalappa Family Resource Center, which moved out of it several years ago.

Leavitt decided to take a look inside and was thrilled to see that the building was perfect for a dance studio.
“After Cappalappa moved, the building was used by a church that put in two huge handicap restrooms that will be perfect as changing rooms,” Leavitt said. “The rest of the building is essentially two giant rooms that can be used for dance. It is perfect for us.”

The building was not quite in ready-to-use condition when Leavitt took over, though. With the help of her family, she tore out the old carpet and repainted the inside. She changed the layout a bit as well, so that she could install mirrors along the walls in both rooms. She also installed internal sound systems in both rooms so that instead of having to pack around heavy sound equipment, all each teacher has to do is show up and plug in his/her phone for personalized music.

One of the things Leavitt is most excited about is the new floor. The old flooring has been completely taken out and a new sub-floor has been installed. This protects the joints and growth plates of growing dancers that dance several times a week. Over that subfloor she will install a dance floor that Leavitt special-ordered from Wisconsin, good for all types of dance styles.

All the business side of things will be handled by the studio. So teachers can just show up and do what they do best without having to deal with insurance, costumes, texting, newsletters, and other things that sometimes make teaching a hassle.
“We have the ability to let teachers come and teach what they are passionate about and what they excel in and pass their passions onto their students,” Leavitt said.

Because of this, several instructors have signed on to teach at the studio. Leavitt will be teaching ballet classes. Erin Cornwall will be teaching jazz and music dance theater. Ashley Bowler will be teaching cheer. Corinne Messer will be teaching clogging. And Lyndsey Holmstead will be teaching Hip Hop.
“My goal in doing this is to have a professional studio here in the valley so families don’t have to drive into town for one,” Leavitt said. “I will be able to have professional dancers come to the valley for master classes, clinics, and camps. It will give kids a place especially for performing arts. It gives them a sense of belonging and being part of a team, just like kids that participate in other sports. It will really be a great thing.”

The studio anticipates opening next month, on August 28. There are already 109 students enrolled with spots still open in the jazz and hip hop classes and a few openings in ballet.

Classes are not limited to kids and teens. The studio is also offering an adult ballet class and a ballet class call “Senior Swans” that is specifically designed for those 55 and older.

More information, a breakdown of classes and tuition, and online registration can be found on the studio website www.desertdanceacademy.org.