Dear Current and Future Families,
Dance isn’t just something I do, it’s woven into the very fabric of who I am. The discipline it instilled in me has been translated into every corner of my life. When I face challenges now, I hear all of my dance teachers’ voices pushing me to try again, reminding me that progress comes from persistence, not just talent. They are some of the best women I’ve ever met, and I look up to each and every one of them. I consider them all second moms who will always want the best for me, and I know they will always be at the studio for me when I need them.
Most importantly, the friendships I’ve made in dance are more like family. We’ve shared tears of frustration and many moments of joy, creating a bond that’s unbreakable. They’ve seen me at my worst, stumbling and insecure, and at my best, soaring across the stage or making inside jokes that make us laugh so hard our stomachs hurt. Their unwavering support has taught me the true meaning of love and the power of lifting each other up. I can honestly say that the girls I met at the studio have fully shaped me into the person I am today, and they are undoubtedly the best people I’ve ever met. I could go on and on about my best friends, and life is so easy to go through knowing they are just a phone call away.
Lastly, dance has given me a voice without words. It’s allowed me to express emotions and stories that I couldn’t articulate otherwise. It’s boosted my confidence, teaching me to hold my head high and take up space. I’ve been taught that confidence is crucial to success, and corrections are gifts that you shouldn’t take lightly. Even on my worst days, I know that if I just come to dance my mind will be reset as soon as I walk through those doors. To put it lightly, dance isn’t just a skill, but rather it’s a part of my soul that has shaped me into the person I am today and the person I continue to aspire to be.
Love,
Bella Philippus
Class of 2026
Elevate Dancer Seasons 1-9
Dear Current and Future Families,
When Dena asked me to write a letter to our current and future dancers, I immediately said yes. She has done so much for me over the years, and she is one of the few people I know I can always turn to—whether it’s dance-related or not. From the moment you walk through the doors, she sets high expectations, but more importantly, she instills belief and confidence in every student. That sense of confidence doesn’t stay in the studio—it follows you into your everyday life. Elevate has truly become my second home, and the values I’ve learned there remain, and always will remain, part of my moral foundation.
To understand why Elevate means so much to me, it helps to look back at where we started. When I first joined, I was one of only 7 kids in my class, and we were dancing in the play center of LifeTime Fitness. It was a huge shift as I had just transferred from a different ballet school. This school was rigid and strict, and it followed many outdated beliefs in dance; all of it started to push me away from something I loved. When my mom heard that Dena was starting her own studio, we dropped everything at my old school and made the switch. Was there an official dance floor? No. Was there only one room, and was it a shared space? Yes. But the most important question was simple: was I happy? And I was.
Unlike my previous experience, Elevate balanced structure with individuality and compassion. There were dress codes that made us feel professional and respected, but there was also space to express ourselves—whether through a colored skirt or fun leggings. We were taught discipline, technique, and dedication, yet we were also encouraged to grow into our own unique dancers. That balance made all the difference.
As I continued to grow up at Elevate, I began to understand that the lessons I learned extended far beyond basic technique. One of the most important values our studio has is classroom etiquette—not just the usual “don’t talk while the teacher is talking,” but how to truly receive and appreciate criticism. I was taught that when a teacher corrected you- whether it was “point your toes” or “engage your core”-it was a gift. Corrections meant that the teacher saw you, saw that you could go further, and encouraged you to take the leap. Criticism was never an attack, it was always a hand that pulled me up.
One experience has always stuck with me. One year, in one of my Jazz classes, my teacher, Miss Janelle, didn’t correct me. I was leaping across the floor, and I didn’t feel like I was doing my best. Sometimes there are days off when my body is tired, or I have a mental block, safe to say I was not confident that night. When the end of the night came, and I never got corrected, I went home and cried. I had thought that Miss Janelle had seen my poor performance in class and had given up on me. If she didn’t correct me,it was because she thought that this was as good as I was going to get and that any other advice would go to waste. Now this was not true at all, but my insecure teenage brain didn’t understand that yet. The next week, I went to Miss Janelle and asked her if she would look at my leaps this week and correct me. She then spent almost the entire class with her eyes glued to me, and I was corrected over and over again. Later, over the years, I told her this story, and she laughed, saying she didn’t remember that night, but not once has she ever thought of me as a poor dancer. She explained that if I didn’t get a correction that night, it meant she noticed I was tired and needed a rest. Though I had a poor performance in class, she hadn’t corrected me that day. And it was only because she thought I was feeling tired. Then she said something I will never forget: “Those days don’t make you a bad dancer. They make you human. What matters is that you came back ready to improve.”
Since then, that idea has stayed with me—not just in dance, but in life. When I fail a quiz or forget to check in on a friend, I remind myself that those moments don’t define me. They simply make me human, and they allow me to be a little better the next day. In fact, that mindset connects directly to another lesson Dena constantly reminded us of: “Just do it 1% better than last time.” After a run-through, no matter how hard we worked, there was always room to improve. But perfection was never the goal- progress was. Over time this idea became something I carried with me far beyond the studio.
Unfortunately, like many teens of this generation, I’ve suffered from depression almost all of my life. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning, and most of my energy is put into acting like everyone else-getting my school work done, memorizing choreography, and interacting with people. I spent many days not taking care of myself because it felt like too much work. Too much effort to wash my face in the morning or pick an outfit for school. During those times, Dena’s voice was always in the back of my mind, “Just try for 1% better”. If I didn’t talk with anyone that day, I would whisper “1% better” and ask my mom about her day at dinner. I wasn’t planning a social outing with my friends or calling my cousin on FaceTime, but I asked a question and actively listened. It wasn’t a huge step, but I made an effort, and that effort mattered. I still continue to finish everyday 1% better than the last.
As I’ve grown up, I’ve managed my mental health and use dance as an outlet. “Leave it all on the dance floor,” my teachers would say. Come into class and leave all of your worries at the door. You couldn’t study for an exam while you danced, so why worry about it? You couldn’t solve all of your problems during class, so acknowledge it and let it go. For a few hours, I learned to set my worries aside and focus on myself- listening to my body, moving freely, and laughing with friends without overthinking. Even now, as an adult, I still do this, even if what I’m leaving behind is simply the need to get gas on the way home. Whether I’m dancing or simply ending my day, I allow myself to shed all of my worries and pick them up tomorrow.
At Elevate, you’re not just going to learn how to be a good dancer; you’re going to learn how to be human. If you’re in pre-primary, you’re going to learn life skills like putting on your shoes by yourself and how to count to 8. As you grow up, you’ll learn how to manage the stresses of life and how to say thank you to criticism. And as an adult, you’ll learn how to have confidence in learning new things and set high expectations for yourself. I don’t know who I would have become without Elevate and Miss Dena, but I know I wouldn’t be the strong, confident, and loving person I am today. As always, never miss a chance to dance.
Emma Kerber
Class of 2026
Elevate Dancer, Season 1-9
Summer is often associated with relaxation, vacations, and a break from routine. For many dancers, it’s tempting to take a hiatus from dance classes during these warmer months. However, while a gigantic break might seem appealing, it can actually hinder progress and growth in the long run.(Talk about a fun sponge, sheesh!) Here are 5 reasons how summer dance can make all the difference:
- Keep Momentum. Have a goal you’ve been trying to crush? Want to join TEAM in the fall? Hoping to get noticed for your awesome skills? Well, regular class attendance provides dancers with the structure and support they need to progress towards their goals. Taking the summer off can disrupt this momentum and make it harder to stay motivated and focused.
- Stay Connected To Your Dancefam. Dance is not a solitary pursuit but a collaborative art form that thrives on community and connection. It’s a dancer’s home away from home, and that’s why we call ourselves the dancefam. By attending classes throughout the summer, dancers who stay in touch strengthen these connections and feel supported in their artistic journey.
- Explore New Styles. Summer dance is a great time to mix up the routine by trying something new. At EDC, our summer program offers a variety of classes that are not available during the regular season. This presents dancers with new opportunities and some fresh excitement to explore new styles to broaden their skillset, while discovering more about what types of dance they’re most passionate about. Summer classes inspire creativity and help dancers grow both artistically and technically.
- Build Strength and Stamina. Dance is not only about technique, but also physical strength and endurance. Skipping summer classes can result in a loss of strength and stamina, making it more difficult to execute movements with precision and power. Dancers who train consistently continually challenge their bodies, and gain an edge for the upcoming season.
- Maintain Technique. Dancing requires constant practice to maintain proficiency. Just like any other athletic pursuit, dancers need to keep their bodies in shape and their technique sharp. Taking a break from classes can lead to a decline in muscle memory and flexibility, making it harder to pick up where you left off when you return to the studio in the fall. Consistency is key to mastering technique, and regular classes throughout the summer avoid the “summer slide,” and keeping dancers on track for continued improvement.
By attending classes throughout the summer, dancers are continually growing, and setting themselves up for success in the upcoming season and beyond. And as if you needed a 6th bonus reason, let’s not forget that summer dance is F*U*N! At EDC summer dance means we’re NOT preparing for a performance, dance is NOT keeping you out late on a school night, and even though the sun is always shining inside the studio, you are NOT leaving in the cold, damp, darkness. So think twice before tucking those dance shoes away in the back of the closet this summer – your future self is waiting to thank you for it later this fall!
Elevate Dance Center began 4 years ago, but most of our staff has been in the business of dance for longer than some of our dancers’ parents have been alive, and many of our staff members have worked together for a decade or two before EDC. When the dance studio I was working for in Westminster closed it’s doors in 2014, my sons still wanted to dance, so I went on the hunt for a great school for them close to home. I tried several, and I couldn’t find it. So, Elevate Dance Center was born. We were founded on the idea that what I wanted in a dance studio for my own children did not exist on our side of town. It was also founded on the idea that there are a lot of goofy- but sorta true- complaints about this industry, and we thought we could easily do business in a way that totally eradicated them. Now I mean absolutely no shade to any of my competitors, but the truth is, I saw certain norms being perpetuated in dance studios everywhere, and I wanted a change for the industry. I wanted to do it all differently. So, we did. Here are 8 things EDC does to revolutionize the studio experience:Read More
If you grow up playing little league soccer and football, then the natural progression is to try out for your high school team when the time comes. If you’re good enough, you might even earn a scholarship to play in college, and an elite few will even turn pro! Dance is trickier though, and there are many paths to professional dancing. Oftentimes, joining the poms team isn’t the way forward in your dance dreams. That’s not true for every team, nor is it the only reason to join or not join Poms. Read More
I’m a 40 year old woman, I’ve been a dancer since I could walk, and I just finished my first month training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While I am a “black belt” in dance, I am as novice as it gets in jiu-jitsu. I have learned so much in just a short time, and it’s exciting because it’s only the beginning. Every class brings a new surprise, but the biggest surprise so far has been how much I’ve learned about dance class during my jiu-jitsu training. Here are four of the biggest “new student dance class fears” and tips to overcome them, brought to you by my jiu-jitsu academy:Read More
It’s the middle of February, and six weeks into 2021. How is your year going so far? Did you pledge to make a change or two on January 1st? Now is the perfect time to assess your progress. Making changes is not easy- in fact, it’s really, really hard. But in the words of Coach Jimmy in the movie A League of Their Own, “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” Coach Jimmy was talking about baseball, but I think it applies here too. When the hard parts becoming the best version of myself aren’t feeling so great, I go back and review the most impactful book I’ve ever read about change, Atomic Habits by James Clear.Read More
