Sidney's Dance Steps Studio to offer summer camps

Sidney native Margaret Meier, Owner of Dance Steps Studio, is gearing up for her 25th year in business.

Meier began her passion for dance at an early age. “I started dancing when I was five,” Meier said “I just constantly took lessons from there.”

Pursuing her passion into college Meier attended the University of Wyoming, there she continued taking dance classes. After graduation Meier took dance classes again in Denver.

“I grew up dancing, and constantly taking class, but I didn’t love the preforming as much as I loved to teach,” Meier said. “Thats where my strengths lie, is in the teaching.”

Taking a leap of faith, Meier opened Dance Steps in 1994.

“Its something I always wanted to do,” she said.

Watching the students learn and grow is one of her favorite parts of teaching dance said Meier.

“Learning their positions of their feet and being able to perform in recital,” Meier said “thats when I just beam.”

In her career Meier has held 24 recitals and two “Nutcracker Suites.” The suites are a special program the studio puts on around Christmas time. Recitals are typically held in the spring, after the students have worked all year to learn the steps.

“I know it sounds like Im bragging, but the students look like little professionals on stage,” Meier said “recital is the students’ day to shine.”

With a total of twelve classes all together, Meier said the students start out at three years old, “If they have a good attention span.”

“I start the three and four year olds together, then the five and six, and after that it kind of goes together,” Meir said. “We go up through high school.”

“In fact, I am now teaching children of children that I taught,” Meier said.

Over time, the studio has expanded greatly, adding classes for hip-hop and gymnastics to existing classical ballet and tap classes.

Ali Miller is one of Meier’s students who began their dancing career with her at the age of three. Miller currently teaches the hip-hop classes at Dance Steps.

“I kind of have a goal, to see if I can teach until I am 70, and in the process gradually leave the studio to Ali,” Meier said “I never want to shut the studio down.”

Summer dance camps kick off June 6 and are held on various days over the next few weeks, depending on the type of dance. “I do the summer camps because it gives the kids a chance to come and test the waters,” Meier said, “to see if they like it and to see how the students do, but its fun.”

Registration for summer camps can be turned in up until the day of the camp, said Meier.

Dance Steps Studio is at 1044 Toledo Street in Sidney, for information on how to register for summer camps or classes, call Meier at 308-254-4604.