Beyond the mirrors and marley—finding your movement in the mountains.
You came for the space. The quiet. The overwhelming, humbling scale of the sky and the peaks. But you’re a dancer. And while your soul might be fed by the vistas of Hidden Lake Colony, your body still craves the familiar language of floorwork, the structure of a barre, the collective energy of a studio.
Here’s the secret: Montana doesn’t just change your perspective; it can revolutionize your practice. This is your guide to training in a place where the studio walls are optional, and the inspiration is limitless.
The Studio Spots: When You Need the Classics
The Collective at Pine Peak
This is the closest you'll get to a traditional urban studio. A beautiful, sun-drenched space with sprung floors, full-length mirrors, and a well-witted barre. It’s run by a former Limón dancer who moved here a decade ago. The schedule is sparse but potent: morning ballet and contemporary technique Tuesday/Thursday, a groundbreaking "Landscape-Inspired Improv" class on Sundays, and open studio hours for rent. The community here is serious but not competitive—everyone is here because they chose to be, not because they have to be.
Bodhi Movement Arts
Don't let the "yoga studio" sign fool you. Bodhi hosts the most eclectic movement practices in the region. Think Gaga-inspired workshops, authentic Axis Syllabus classes, and weekly Contact Improv jams that often spill out onto the adjacent grassy field. The floor is cork, the vibe is exploratory, and the facilitator, Kai, believes Montana's terrain is the ultimate teacher for proprioception and resilience. Perfect for dismantling old habits and building something new, from the ground up.
The Unconventional Studios: What the Locals Know
The Old Barn Theatre
A historic, repurposed barn with a wooden stage that has more character (and slight slope) than any black box you've ever worked in. The local theatre company is incredibly welcoming to dancers. For a small fee, you can use the space during the day. The acoustics are incredible for rhythm work, and the lack of mirrors forces a deeper internal focus. Check their off-season schedule—they often host intensive weekend workshops with artists passing through from the Pacific Northwest.
Community Hall & The "Floor Fund"
The multipurpose hall has a serviceable vinyl floor. It's not perfect, but it's huge, cheap to rent by the hour, and has stunning mountain views through giant windows. This is where the "Floor Fund" comes in—a grassroots initiative by local dancers to pool resources and purchase portable Marley panels and a sound system. Ask around at the coffee shop. If you find the group, you gain access to their gear and their network: informal showings, film projects, and the famous "sunrise movement labs" at Glacier's edge.
Training Off the Grid: The Montana Method
This is where the magic happens. Your training expands beyond four walls.
- The Shoreline Barre: The flat, sandy shores of Hidden Lake itself are perfect for ballet barre or Pilates. The unstable surface engages your stabilizers like nothing else. Just go early, respect the wildlife, and be prepared for awe.
- Trail Running as Phrasing Practice: The switchback trails aren't just for hiking. Use them for interval training. The uphill climb teaches relentless drive, the downhill requires controlled release, and the unpredictable terrain hovers your decision-making. It's dynamic phrasing, written by the land.
- Site-Specific Score Creation: Pick a location—a grove of aspens, a rock formation, the wide-open meadow. Let the environment dictate your score. How does the wind inform your timing? How do the textures underfoot inform your quality? This isn't just "dancing outside"; it's collaborative creation with place.
Essential Pro-Tip: The Artist Residency Loop
Hidden Lake Colony is quietly on the circuit for several national artist residency programs. Do your research. Timing your stay with a residency at places like the Montalvo Arts Center satellite or the Elsewhere Studios exchange can give you access to world-class facilitators, curated spaces, and a sudden influx of brilliant moving bodies. The colony's solitude is punctuated by these vibrant, temporary communities—plan to overlap.
Training here requires a shift from seeking convenience to cultivating intention. You won't find a dozen drop-in classes a day. You'll find profound depth, space to listen to your own body's needs, and an environment that constantly asks: How does your movement relate to all this?
Your technique will get stronger, out of necessity. Your artistry will get braver, out of inspiration. Pack your leggings, your toughest dance sneakers, and an open mind. The greatest studio is waiting, just beyond your doorstep.
