The right studio doesn’t just teach you steps—it changes how you move through the world. I’ve danced in Lafayette long enough to know that each space has its own heartbeat, its own way of shaping artists. Whether you’re chasing a professional dream or just rediscovering the joy of movement, here’s a closer look at three studios that offer more than just classes.
Romney City Ballet Academy: Where Tradition Takes Center Stage
Walking into Romney City feels like stepping into a living archive of classical ballet. The air smells faintly of rosin and polished wood. Founded in 1987 by former Cincinnati Ballet soloist Margaret Chen-Whitmore, this isn’t a place that chases trends.
The training here is rooted in the Vaganova method—a Russian approach that builds strength with deliberate patience. You won’t see young students forced onto pointe; instead, they wait until their ankles and cores are truly ready, often around age 12 or 13. There’s a wisdom in that restraint. I remember watching a Level 4 class here once—their port de bras wasn’t just arm-waving; it was a flowing conversation with the music, thanks to live piano accompaniment that’s become a rarity elsewhere.
The faculty reads like a dance history book. Chen-Whitmore still teaches the upper levels, and her husband, James Whitmore of Joffrey Ballet fame, leads men’s classes. There’s also a Pilates specialist on staff, which speaks to their focus on longevity and injury prevention. This is a studio for the dedicated—for families who believe in a slow, sturdy foundation and for teens with their eyes on serious summer intensives.
Indiana Dance Theatre: The Creative Crucible
If Romney City is a classical sonata, Indiana Dance Theatre is jazz improvisation. Tucked downtown next to a brewery, IDT pulses with a different energy. It’s not just a school; it’s the training wing of a professional contemporary company, and that changes everything.
Artistic Director Rebecca Torres (a Hubbard Street alum) believes ballet is a tool, not a dogma. Here, your ballet class is followed by modern, improvisation, or Gaga technique. I once peeked in on a teen ensemble rehearsal—they weren’t just learning choreography; they were building it, arguing about it, tossing movements between them like a conversation. It’s messy, thrilling, and incredibly real.
The progression here isn’t marked by exams, but by capability. Younger kids might perform in a family concert, while teens join company repertoire and even tour regionally. The vibe is inclusive but rigorous. For the dancer who dreams of Lines Ballet or a BFA program, this is a launchpad. It’s for those who see dance as a language for today, not just an echo of the past.
DanceWorks Studio: The Community Crossroads
Out on Sagamore Parkway, DanceWorks feels like the neighborhood’s lively living room. Founded by Sarah Okafor—who blends her dance training with a kinesiology background—this studio thrives on accessibility and joy.
You’ll find serious ballet training here, but also hip-hop, tap, and adult classes filled with parents, college students, and retirees. There’s a recital team that competes, but also a “just for fun” track. What struck me during a visit was the sound: laughter in the hallway, a teacher patiently re-explaining a combination, pop music spilling from a jazz room.
It’s the kind of place where a beginner adult can find confidence alongside a competitive teen. Okafor’s approach is body-aware and positive, focusing on how movement feels rather than just how it looks. This isn’t the studio for those seeking a strict pre-professional path, but it’s perfect for building a lifelong love of dance, for trying something new at 40, or for giving a child a positive first experience without the pressure.
So, Where Do You Belong?
Listen to what you’re hungry for. If you crave the discipline and legacy of classical ballet, Romney City’s doors are open. If you want to be challenged, blurred, and reborn as a versatile artist, Indiana Dance Theatre awaits. And if you’re looking for a place that meets you where you are, that celebrates dance as community and health, DanceWorks might be your answer.
The best studio is the one that makes you forget you’re exercising—the one where you’re too busy creating to watch the clock. Go visit. Take a class. Feel the floor under your feet and decide which rhythm matches your own.
