Business Details
16 Years
experience
Premier Dance Education in Rockwall, TX
C K Studio was founded in 2010 by Lee Ann Whittington, a seasoned dance educator with over four decades of experience in dance, twirling, and gymnastics. Located in Rockwall, Texas, we provide comprehensive dance education for recreational and competitive dancers aged 18 months and up. Our team of instructors includes industry professionals with extensive performance and teaching backgrounds, offering expertise in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro, and baton twirling. We prioritize quality instruction, fostering creativity, and building technical proficiency while maintaining a supportive, family-friendly environment.Our students consistently achieve top honors at competitions, and we offer unique performance opportunities like our Spring Spectacular and annual Nutcracker production. We emphasize accessibility by eliminating recital fees and providing flexible class options. With a legacy rooted in dance excellence, we remain committed to nurturing talent and passion in every student.
Services
Ballet Classes
Tap Dance
Jazz Instruction
Competition Teams
Baton Twirling
Lyrical/Contemporary
Acro Training
Elite Company Teams
Summer Classes
Adult Dance
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of proven dance education expertise in Rockwall.
- Our instructors include nationally recognized performers and competition coaches.
- We provide unique performance opportunities without charging recital fees.
- Our curriculum caters to both recreational and elite competitive dancers.
- We maintain a family-friendly environment with intergenerational student support.
What people say
Experienced instructors
Diverse class offerings
Excellent performance opportunities
Family-friendly environment
Award-winning teams
Services
Ballet Classes
Ballet instruction focuses on proper technique, alignment, and classical vocabulary. Students develop strength, control, and artistic expression through barre work, center practice, and choreography. Ideal for building foundational skills applicable to all dance styles.
Competition Teams
Structured competition programs for ages 5-18 with multiple performance opportunities. Teams train in various styles and attend three annual competitions. Requires auditions and commitment to scheduled rehearsals and events.
Baton Twirling
Specialized baton twirling instruction with performance teams for ages 5+. Curriculum includes coordination, rhythm, and performance skills. Participants perform locally and compete seasonally with opportunities for advanced training.
Acro Training
Acrobatic dance classes combining dance and tumbling skills. Students learn floor gymnastics techniques like cartwheels, walkovers, and aerials while developing flexibility and strength in a safe, supervised environment.
Lyrical/Contemporary
Lyrical and contemporary classes blend ballet and jazz techniques with emotional storytelling. Students explore innovative movement patterns and develop versatility through choreography that emphasizes musicality and artistic interpretation.
People
Lee Ann Strain-Whittington
Owner - Competition Team Director
Lee Ann has 40+ years of dance teaching experience and founded C K Studio in 2010. She studied under renowned instructors and has trained students who became professional dancers and cheerleaders. She directs competition teams and choreographs award-winning routines.
Michelle Blum-Schuetz
Director of Ballet
Michelle trained with Madame Nathalie Krassovska and performed principal roles in major ballets. She directs the Rockwall Ballet Company and has received multiple excellence awards at Classical Ballet Festivals.
Nathalie Dowsey
Ballet Assistant Director
Nathalie trained under Nathalie Krassovska and received scholarships to major ballet workshops. She teaches classical and contemporary ballet and choreographs for the Rockwall Ballet Company, winning multiple festival awards.
Gracie Walsh
Gracie trained at CK from childhood and became a competition team member. She now teaches jazz, lyrical, and acro while continuing her performance career with Collin Dance Ensemble.
Jeannie Strain
Guest Baton Twirling Instructor
Jeannie is a renowned Texas baton twirling instructor with 40 years of experience. She founded Calico Kids studio and continues teaching at CK, mentoring multiple state and national champion twirlers.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for dance classes?
We offer classes for students aged 18 months and up, with specific programs for toddlers, children, teens, and adults.
Do you offer competitive dance opportunities?
Yes, we have CK Competition Teams for ages 5-18 with multiple annual competitions and performance events.
Are there performance opportunities without recital fees?
Our Spring Spectacular event replaces traditional recitals with free family-friendly performances and student awards.
What special dance programs do you offer?
We provide baton twirling teams, acro training, ballet company programs, and summer intensive classes.
How qualified are your dance instructors?
Our staff includes nationally recognized performers, competition coaches, and former professional dancers with decades of teaching experience.
