I got the music in me

Dance studio celebrates 20th year, Kath homecoming

Crystal R. Albers
Posted 3/7/18

It’s an exciting time to be part of 28th Avenue Dance Studio. Not only is the family-run business celebrating its 20th year, but director Stephanie Kath recently welcomed back daughter, Taylor, as a full-time instructor after nearly a decade.

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I got the music in me

Dance studio celebrates 20th year, Kath homecoming

Posted

TORRINGTON – It’s an exciting time to be part of 28th Avenue Dance Studio. Not only is the family-run business celebrating its 20th year, but director Stephanie Kath recently welcomed back daughter, Taylor, as a full-time instructor after nearly a decade.

Taylor, a 2010 Torrington High School graduate, attended the University of Wyoming and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance, as well as completing a second major in communication.

“I graduated from UW in May 2014,” Kath said. “Then I traveled. I was on the western side of Wyoming … I worked at some other dance studios, and I was in the radio field for a few years after college. “I’ve stayed in both fields since college and was able to gain some experience elsewhere. I definitely tried to stay involved with my family’s businesses.”

In addition to returning to her mother’s dance studio, Kath also works at KGOS/KERM radio station – which is also owned by her parents, including father, Grant. 

“I help with a variety of things, including advertising,” Kath explained. “I teach here (at the studio) mostly in the evenings.”

Kath began dancing when she was 4 years old under her mother’s instruction.

“My mom never pushed me to do it,” she said. “It just turned out I loved dance.”

Kath said jazz dance holds a special place in her heart, although she’s studied a variety of genres.

“I just actually joined a ballet company in Cheyenne – Reformation Dance Company, under the direction of Kathleen Vreeland,” she said. “I auditioned about a week-and-a-half ago, they accepted me into the company, and the director has me coming twice a week to take company class. 

“I’m excited, because I’ve wanted to perform more since college,” Kath continued. “The timing was perfect. When the opportunity came about, my mom organized classes at her studio to make it work for me, and now I can share my company experience with our students here.”

Being invited to join the ballet company may be Kath’s most recent achievement, but one of her favorite dance memories took place in 2010.

“During my senior year in high school, my hip hop group won first place overall at a dance competition in Casper,” Kath said. “That’s something I think a lot of our alumni at 28th Avenue Dance Studio will always remember.”

Kath originally started teaching at 28th Avenue Dance Studio when she was 16. She continued to teach and choreograph in Torrington throughout her tenure at UW on weekends and during breaks – but she hadn’t returned as full-time instructor until this year.

“I missed the community and the people here,” Kath said of her time away. “I enjoy the small-town feel of our community, and I enjoy working with kids of all ages. And I missed being a part of my family’s businesses. I’m really excited to be involved with both of those, being closer to my family and friends – and to be in business with my mom.”

Kath was quick to say her mother isn’t quitting teaching at the studio anytime soon.

“I’m just taking over some classes for her to help out, and adding some new ones,” Kath said. “From my perspective, seeing what my mom has done for the community, I think we, as a studio, have provided a place for people ... ages 3 to 73 … to not only take dance classes, but make friends. And to learn, not only about dance, but about life, in a place where they feel safe and a place where they belong.”

Kath is currently working to earn her master’s of dance education –  mostly online – through the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

“I enjoy seeing growth in dancers and helping to make them better people. I also like to see them build confidence and self-esteem,” she said. “I think that dance enables people to learn how to interact with others. “They learn self-awareness, manners and etiquette in dance class. I think they learn discipline and respect for others and how to push themselves – athletically and artistically. I think dance also helps with different forms of education – whether it’s math or reading or writing – because of the way kids use their brains with dance. 

“That stems from my mom,” Kath added. “Her main focus for the whole studio has been on education.”

Stephanie, who earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and an endorsement in physical education, credited her staff for the realization of her vision for the studio when she started out 20 years ago.

“The teamwork of our staff at the 28th Avenue Dance Studio is essential to the success of our program,” she said. “We have a staff of incredibly dedicated, dependable, caring people. We would not be able to provide the opportunities we do to so many children and adults if it weren’t for our fantastic staff.”

Staff members at 28th Avenue Dance Studio include office manager Brenda McCranie, office assistant Denise Heilbrun, and instructors Taylor Kath, Leann Mattis and Victoria Stromski.

Mattis and Stromski echoed Taylor and Stephanie’s take on the benefits of dance and
teaching.

“First of all, we have an awesome community with awesome kids,” Stromski, who teaches hip hop, cheer, acrobatics and tumbling classes at the studio, said. “I love their smiles and instilling dance values in them. It’s just so rewarding.”

Mattis leads four hip hop classes, in addition to ballet jazz 1 and 2, and ‘Expression of Heart’ – a class which features Diversified Services, Inc. clients, as well as a student from the local high school.

“Just in general, teaching dance has been very rewarding,” Mattis said. “It’s something I’m very passionate about, and I hope that others gain that sense of fulfillment I feel when I dance. Just passing along my knowledge of dance to others who can hopefully take it and use it, not only for dance, but for life lessons. 

“Dance is more of a life lesson – it’s not just about movement,” she expanded. “It teaches discipline and perseverance and respect. It’s all of those things and movement.”

The studio – with its approximate 230 students – will host its annual recital on April 27 and 28 at the Eastern Wyoming College Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are not available now, but may be purchased online beginning April 6. Visit the 28th Avenue Dance Studio Facebook page or website (28thavenuedancestudio.weebly.com) for more information.