Shannon Barnhart Dance Studio

Located in the heart of Dundee, Omaha, Shannon Barnhart Dance Studio (SBDS) has been a leading dance institution for over 48 years. With a rich history of over 50 years of teaching experience and numerous national recognitions, we have established ourselves as a reputable and trusted dance studio. Our mission is to provide a nurturing and compassionate environment where students can reach their potential in ballet, jazz, and tap dance arts. We believe in building self-esteem and achieving a sense of accomplishment, poise, and positive self-worth, regardless of natural talent and ability. We are proud to have been voted as The Reader's Recommended Choice-Best of the Big "O" 2015.

Our Staff

Our staff consists of experienced and knowledgeable teachers with a combined record of over 48 years of dance instruction in the Omaha area and over 30 years in competitions. We are committed to providing each and every student with a positive experience and a memorable journey. We take great pride in creating a family-oriented studio that genuinely cares about the well-being and success of our students and their families.

Dance Classes

We offer a variety of dance classes for students of all ages and levels. Our classes include pre-ballet combination classes for ages 3-5, beginner combination classes for ages 6-8, semi-intermediate combination classes for ages 9 and up, beginner hip hop for ages 7 and up, pre-pointe, pointe, adult jazz/tap, technique/leaps and turns, and more advanced classes for placement by teacher. We also offer combination classes, which are a great way for students to explore different dance styles. For more information on pricing and scheduling, please contact us.

SBDS Dance Company

Our competition team, SBDS Dance Company, consists of hard-working dancers who enjoy performing on stage several times a year. Our company has been competing in over 30 different states across the US since 1991, earning hundreds of different awards, including Choreography Achievement awards and cash prizes. We welcome dancers of all ages and levels to try out for our company during our annual tryouts held in June.

Annual Recital

Our annual recital takes place every June, where all students have the opportunity to showcase their talents and dance routines that they have learned throughout the season. Our recital is a special event that brings our dance community together and creates memories that last a lifetime. We offer a DVD of the show of their choice, a recital shirt, and unlimited guest admissions to the show.

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what some of our proud parents and students have to say about their experience at SBDS:

*"SBDS is a top-notch dance studio that teaches beautiful technique in a wide variety of dance styles. But SBDS is so much more than just a dance studio and teaches kids more than just dance. Students at SBDS gain self-confidence, discipline, respect, fun, and friendships. I love how Shannon and her staff of dedicated teachers take the long-term view with their students and are committed to this being a positive experience for them with implications far greater than winning trophies or performing a flawless dance."*

*"I still remember 30 years ago, riding in the car with my older sister as my Mom drove us to our first dance class. We drove in a few circles and finally found the small, intimate dance studio near 50th and Leavenworth--Shannon Barnhart Dance Studio. Shannon moved her studio twice over the years and we followed. We took additional classes offered as we got older. We became assistants and enjoyed teaching the younger kids. We grew up there. Now, as my 7-year-old enters her 5th year @SBDS and my 10-year-old enters her 8th year @SBDS, I look back at all the time, money, and sweat and I know it is all worth it. At SBDS, the dancers want to do well because Shannon, Jessi, Cathy, and their team of assistants have standards based on hard work, positive attitudes, kindness, fairness, generosity, and teamwork. My daughters have been encouraged and engaged in this experience. It's not Shannon's goal to create great dancers. It's to help mold young people who just happen to be passionate, talented dancers. It is to provide a creative environment that is rooted in solid values. The results are there, and I see how each year my girls grow to be more confident, courageous, creative, bold, compassionate, driven, and inspired. Shannon draws in dancers from baby ballerinas to adults. And she won't let us alums sit on the sidelines. Several years ago, she started an advanced tap class and wouldn't let me say 'no' to joining. It was a struggle to get my brain to reconnect with my feet, but I pushed through and I thank God that Shannon wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. I even braved the first alumni class this past year. My girls and I have a blast every dance class we take. We dance EVERYWHERE! It's infectious! As a parent, I know that I have to have people that help me raise my children. It's never just the parents; it's the teachers, the coaches, the mentors in life who also impact our children. The love, care, and true relationships that my girls have with each of the teachers

at SBDS-regardless if they are the actual teachers for their classes or not-is undeniably unbreakable. I know in my heart that this is where my girls belong. Where we belong. We thrive at SBDS-our home away from home, it is our family. It's a family that comes together to support each other, help out and make each of our dancers shine-literally (bling, bling, blinging those costumes). I can't place a value on how much it means to know that my daughters and I have a place like SBDS."*