The angels were singing (and dancing) at our annual Christmas Show, O' Night Divine, on December 8. As Christmas approaches, we want to thank everyone who attended the show, which raised a total of $1,830 for local charities (that means $915 each for King William Emergency Ministries and Christmas Dreams!). This year's show, subtitled "All Is Well," told the story of a reporter who got lost in the chaos of the season by interviewing people on the street, but discovered the importance of the holiday along the way. We'd also like to give a big thanks to all the students, parents and community members who shared their talents and took time out of their busy schedules for rehearsals. Vocalists, musicians, dancers and actors all came together to make this beautiful show a celebration of true meaning of Christmas. In a truly special moment, DSD instructor Rachael's 3-week old daughter, Miss Audrey Emma Petrizzo, made her stage debut as Jesus and became the first live baby to portray Jesus in our show's history. In another first, violinist Malia Pererya-White accompanied some of our vocalist with a beautiful medley of Christmas hymns. It truly was a magical show as it both brought joy and gave back to the community -- see the photos and recap video below to catch a glimpse of the love that went into this production! Thank you all and we wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!!!!
Photography credit: Heather Oakes Photography; Video credit: Samantha Cox

Pink is our signature color, so this October we decided to go all out and wore pink every day the studio was open (even on Saturday during Christmas Show rehearsals!). Not only was it great fun, we also wanted to find a new way to give back, so we invited our students and their families to donate money toward breast cancer research. Participants brought small donations on the days they wore pink to the studio. Our Team got really intense with a plank-holding competition: whoever held their plank the longest got a small prize, and everyone on the team donated 50 cents for each second they held their planks. Ava Howell came in first place with an impressive 4:17 hold, with Grace Tidd and Rachel Peck collapsing only seconds before her. In total, we raised $2,010!!! We collected $420 from Pink Out participants, and DSD matched that amount, and team raised $1,170 with their plank competition. The money was donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The plan is to make this an annual event, and we hope to raise even more next year!

As classes resume on Monday, it's time to reflect on a great summer for DSD. In June we traveled to Disney, where we attracted a large crowd during our performance, rocked new moves at our workshop with a professional Disney dancer, and had a blast enjoying all the attractions with each other. We also had a a blast and learned so much with our very full schedule of summer classes!

A few of our team dancers continued their journeys after receiving special invitations at some of our competitions. Charlotte Madren represented Richmond as their Regional Champion at the Ignite Nationals Competition in Jacksonville, placing ninth in her category and winning a High Platinum award. This June she was chosen as one of their Ambassadors, meaning she will represent Ignite for this coming competitive season by assisting at conventions and with competition classes and awards. Virginia Nunnally and Rylee Hogge were invited to compete in the Southeast Showdown Legends Dance Competition. They had an interview, an audition and then presented their solos. Later in the summer Rylee was awarded 3rd runner up out of 18 semi-finalists in Dance Machine's America's Miss Dance Nationals Competition after winning a regional title at their Roanoke competition this spring. The rigorous competition included an interview, audition and solo performance, and she received special awards for both her interview and solo.

Former DSD students were on a roll too. DSD graduate Paige Lake earned her BFA with a Major in Dance from Radford University this spring, just after she traveled to New York City with Dawn to try out for the Rockettes. Bella Deem, anther DSD alum and a Dance Major at James Madison University, performed in NYC with the Joffrey Ballet School after auditioning and being selected for their Jazz & Contemporary summer intensive. Dawn, her husband Lin, and former DSD dancer Jenny Estok came to support Bella and see her perform in this amazing show this August.

To wrap up the summer we were invited by McDonald’s to entertain the crowd at their Back to School Night on August 22. DSD dancers Anna Baker and Rylee Hogge gave great performances right in the WP McDonald’s parking lot!

So proud of our DSD dancers, past and present! Can't wait to see what you accomplish in the coming year and beyond.

Time to join our circle! We are gearing up for our 35th Anniversary Season, and we want you join in and celebrate with us. If you'd like to learn more about us and all that we offer, please come to one of our Open House events: Wednesday, July 24, 7 - 9 p.m.; Sunday, July 28, 2 - 4 p.m.; and Wednesday, July 31, 6:30- 7:30 p.m. You can meet and chat with teachers, sign up for classes, and even win prizes! You'll also be able to sign up for additional opportunities to dance, such as our annual Christmas Show, our Student Dance Company, and Team auditions (go ahead and mark your calendar for that because auditions are coming up August 1, 6 -8 p.m.!). We start enrollment on July 24 at the first Open House, and online enrollment begins August 1, following the final Open House. Classes begin August 26 -- we can't wait to see you there!

​The Student Dance Company presented their 2024 showcase, "Black & Gold," on May 11, 2024. This student-produced group formed in the Fall of 1992 to enable dancers the opportunity to create and display their own work. They elect officers, choreograph material, and put on their own production independent of the school’s instructors. Their love of dance drives them to dedicate many hours of rehearsals in addition to their weekly classes, and they learn many life lessons from working with their piers, organizing events and schedules, and working through the complexities of choreographing for a group. They began rehearsals in January and all of their hard work paid of with a fascinating show. Love the creativity everyone!!!

This year's Recitals, "Counting My Blessings," truly were a blessing to all who saw them. Our students' dedication, perseverance, and hard work paid off with an amazing show that was touching, funny, meaningful and uplifting! Thank you so much to all -- students, parents, teachers, friends and family -- who helped this show be one of our best ever!!! 

Our Competitive Dance Team just wrapped up a fabulous season -- it was fire! They competed in three competitions, and not only had the opportunity to compete with studios from all over the East coast, but they also earned multiple judges awards, high score recognitions, invitations to National Competitions and places in the top 10. Two of our dancers, Rylee Hogge and Charlotte Madren, received regional titles. This is a wonderful platform to showcase how much talent we have right here within our studio. These dancers work extremely hard over the course of our season and are very dedicated.  Our season was also a great success thanks to the generosity of our 2024 DSD Competition Team Sponsors. We could not have done it without the support of these individuals and outstanding local business, so be sure you support them!
Diamond Sponsors:
360 Hardware Rental & Feed
The Blue Crab of WP
Fun Farm Child Development Center
James River Equipment
KWC Mechanical
MasTec Utility Services
The Shed Man, Inc.
The She Shed
Catherine Atkins
Platinum Sponsors:
Childress Metal Fabrications LLC
Elite Force Athletics, LLC
Julie Whitaker Insurance Agency, Inc. - Mechanicsville Turnpike
Mid Atlantic Tree Harvestors
Pearls and Chicks Boutique
Roma Ristorante Italiano- King William
Shawn Cameron Transport LLC
Kirk & Kathy Ammons
Gold Sponsors:
Country Courier Newspaper
Jakes Tire Shop & Off-road
Cuddlebugs Child Development Center
Red Rooster Country Store
​Thank you once again sponsors! We danced our hearts out for you!

Our Company and Team members took some time to bond on a weekend trip to the Outer Banks, NC. Games, shopping, food prep, movies and more got us talking, laughing and ready to start the busy Spring Semester on the right foot. Some unseasonably nice weather made for some time on the beach (and photo ops, of course!) and we even had three brave souls take a polar plunge!