Business Details
Epic Dance Studios: Empowering Through Dance in Elkhart
At Epic Dance Studios, we believe dance transforms lives by equipping students with exceptional technique, professional performance opportunities, and character development. Our team of highly qualified instructors brings expertise from prestigious training programs and performance careers across the country. We are dedicated to meeting students at their current level, nurturing their unique talents, and helping them achieve goals they once thought unattainable. Through weekly dance classes, we emphasize Positive Body Image, Emotional Intelligence, Gratitude, Empathy, Persistence, Resilience, and the importance of kindness. Our community outreach initiatives include need-based scholarships, specialized classes for students with special needs, after-school programs, and school performances that serve over 800 Elkhart students annually.We foster a culture of love for our art, students, and broader community through service and diversity. Our character-building program integrates dance education with community service, empowering students to develop fundamental life skills. We collaborate with corporate sponsors like Global Link Distribution to expand access to dance education. Our facility in Elkhart, Indiana, serves as a hub for artistic growth and community engagement. With decades of combined teaching experience, our staff creates a supportive environment where students of all ages and abilities can thrive.
Services
Dance Classes
Character Development
Community Outreach
Scholarship Programs
Special Arts Classes
After-School Programs
School Performances
Performance Opportunities
Dance Technique
Community Service
Highlights and features
- We offer specialized dance instruction for students with special needs at no charge
- Our instructors have professional performance experience across multiple dance genres
- We provide need-based scholarships and after-school programs for local students
- Our character-building curriculum integrates dance with emotional intelligence development
- We partner with local schools for community performances serving 800+ students annually
Services
Dance Classes
We offer age-specific dance instruction for preschool through adult students. Our curriculum includes ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip hop styles. Classes emphasize technical proficiency while fostering creativity and self-expression. Instructors hold degrees in dance education and bring professional performance experience from national theater companies and theme parks.
Special Arts Classes
Our specialized dance program provides free instruction for students with special needs. Certified instructors adapt techniques to individual abilities, focusing on motor skills development and creative expression. This community outreach initiative promotes inclusivity through movement-based learning and sensory-friendly environments tailored to each participant's requirements.
Character Development
Weekly character-building sessions integrate dance with life skills education. We emphasize positive body image, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills through themed lessons. The program cultivates persistence, resilience, and empathy while connecting dance artistry with personal growth and community responsibility.
Community Outreach
We deliver after-school dance programs and school performances for local students. Our initiatives include 6-week residency programs at public schools and annual performances for 800+ elementary students. Corporate partnerships enable us to provide need-based scholarships and expand access to dance education across Elkhart County.
Performance Opportunities
Students participate in professional-grade performances at local theaters. Our annual productions feature original choreography across multiple genres. Advanced students join the Epic Company for competitive and showcase performances. We also produce community benefit shows that combine artistic excellence with fundraising for our outreach programs.
People
Stephanie Pairitz
Founder & Artistic Director
Stephanie established Epic Dance Studios to combine technical excellence with character development. She oversees curriculum design and artistic direction, drawing from her experience training in Chicago and performing with regional theater companies.
Heather Holland
Assistant Director
Heather directs ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap programs. She brings expertise from professional performance careers in theme parks and summer stock theaters, focusing on technical precision and performance preparation for advanced students.
Lana Davis
Ballet Instructor
Lana teaches ballet and pointe classes with a focus on classical technique. She holds a dance degree from Bloomington and brings performance experience from regional ballet companies to her instruction of intermediate and advanced students.
Sandra Jemison
Hip Hop Instructor
Sandra co-directs the Epic Crew program, teaching hip hop and contemporary styles. Her instruction emphasizes musicality and improvisation, drawing from performance experience at national dance competitions and urban movement workshops.
Kim Chris
Special Arts Instructor
Kim leads our adaptive dance program for students with special needs. She develops customized movement curricula and trains staff in inclusive teaching methods, ensuring accessible dance education for all ability levels.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We offer classes for preschoolers (ages 3-6), elementary students (6-11), teens (11-18), and adults. Our programs adapt to each developmental stage while maintaining technical excellence.
Do you offer financial assistance?
Yes, we provide need-based scholarships and have corporate sponsors covering tuition for qualifying students. Our bronze sponsorship tier specifically funds semester-long dance programs for children in need.
What dance styles do you teach?
Our curriculum includes ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, and hip hop. Instructors specialize in multiple genres, with advanced students exploring modern variations and performance-specific techniques.
Are there performance opportunities?
Students participate in annual recitals, community benefit shows, and school performances. The Epic Company offers competitive showcases and professional-grade productions at local theaters throughout the year.
Do you have special needs programs?
Yes, our Special Arts program provides free dance instruction for students with special needs. Certified instructors adapt techniques to individual abilities, focusing on motor skills development and creative expression in a supportive environment.
How do community partnerships work?
Corporate sponsors like Global Link Distribution fund our outreach initiatives. Their support enables after-school programs, school performances, and scholarships that extend dance education to underserved populations across Elkhart County.
