Ms. Toni's Essay

So, I don't think I would be a very good dance teacher if I asked my students to write an essay for our current contest and not write one myself. So here you!

The story behind Star Quality Dance & Cheer Center

In 2004 I graduated college with both my A.A. in Dance and my A.S. in Dance studio management. In March of that year I traveled to Tenn. and auditioned at a National Dance/Theatre audition and received two offers, as well as auditioning for Disney a few months later and received an offer from them as well. With these offers on the table I found myself completely burnt out. Dancing, teaching and completing 15 - 20 credit hours a semester for three years had took its toll on me! I was TIRED! I needed a break. So that is what I did. I moved back in with my parents, quit my teaching job, informed the companies I appreciated their offer however I couldn't accept it at that time. And then what did I do? Well, I took a "normal" desk job at a Mechanic Shop my Uncle worked at. And didn't dance at all, for....6 months. At that time I started to miss something that had been in my life since age 3. I started to take a few adult classes after work and then began weighing my options on what I was going to do next. Along the way I met my Husband....Mr. Nathan.

I started really soul searching during all this. I began praying for where God wanted me to go and what he wanted me to do. I began looking into going back to school as I had a standing offer for a Dance Scholarship at Jacksonville University. And I wanted to teach again, I missed all those little smiling faces at the end of the day. So after much pray it came to me one night.....Star Quality Dance & Cheer Center. Yep, you guessed it the name of the studio was sent to me in a dream. I woke up that morning so sure about what God wanted me to do. So January 2005 I sat down and talked to my parents and soon to be fiance about my plans.

Then you all now the rest.........April 1, 2005 we opened the studio. Yes, this studio is an absolute dream come true, but has it been easy.....NO WAY! I was 22 years old when I opened this business and boy it made me grow up real fast! The studio has taught me so much about life and people and not just the pretty side of things. It has taught me how to deal with ALL sorts of situations.

But most importantly, it has allowed me to not only follow my dream but also the path of what God wanted me to do with my life. You see, if I would have taken any of those job offers, I would have either been in Orlando, Fl, Colorado or North Carolina that summer of 2004 and I would have never met Nathan. And wow, how my life would have been different. But do I regret that, NOPE, not one bit!

I value every moment I have at the studio good or bad, as I chauk it all up to experience. And I love meeting so many different children and being a part of their lives!

Now, I have went on long enough, get to writing, I can't wait to read how my kids express their feelings in words as I can already see their feelings in the way they dance, which has me VERY excited!

Recital 2010

Our 5th Annual Recital, took place Saturday, June 12th and it was "Totally Awesome"

This was such a fun recital and all the dancers & cheerleaders were great! I have to agree with all the parents this definately was the best recital in Star Quality history.

Ms. Pam is working very hard during our week off to edit and put some pictures up of the recital.

As another year ends I can't help but think back to how my life has changed in 5 years. Nearly 5 1/2 years ago I felt God leading me to open the studio. Me, my parents and Nathan (who was just a boyfriend) discussed it and we began working very hard that January for an April 1st opening. With Blood, sweat and tears we did it! And none of our lives have ever been the same.

For me, the studio is a dream come true. Something I knew my whole life I would eventually do. However, God wanted me to do it a littler earlier then I had originally wanted to. But, I couldn't be happier. Now, fast forward 5 years. I am now married with a 3 year old little boy and we have been blessed enough to move to a wonderful location, a location we always wanted! Better yet, the same spot I took dance almost 20 years ago!

God has blessed me and my family abundantly & I couldn't thank him more.

We all are enjoying our week off, however it is going by VERY quickly! My Grandfather (Ms. Pam's Dad) will be celebrating his 80th birthday this weekend. And then it's back to work!

I miss my girls more then anything and can't wait to see their smiling faces on Tuesday!

If you haven't registered yet and want to take summer classes contact us ASAP, this is the first year that some of our summer classes are full before classes begin!

See you all Tuesday and I'll leave you with a quick pic of "Smooth Criminal!"

Our Growing Family!!!

Our studio is constantly growing with new families. But this year, there were three families who expected babies all within a month of eachother.

As of Sunday, May 30th the last baby made her appearence.

We are proud to say we have a new girl & two new boys to our Star Quality Family.
One little boy arriving right on time, another little boy arriving VERY early & a little girl who made her mom wait 10 days over her due date for her arrival! I am happy to say ALL moms & babies are doing great! Way to go moms!

Congrats to the Ciccio, Shaw, & Traxler/Seay families on their new additions!

What have we been up to?

What have we been up to, you might ask?
Well we have had our noses buried in our computers getting all the paperwork ready for the recital & our summer session.

This time of year is insanely busy for us.

Recital decorations are in, pictures have been taken & we are still rehearsing our dance numbers. The big stuff is done! Now we are setting up the program, getting all our ducks in a row!

As we prepare for the recital we are also getting things for the upcoming summer and year ready! New competition invitations have gone out & we are preparing for the July 4th Parade.

Lots of exciting BUT stressful things going on..........but we love ALL our studio dancers & parents!

Recital Time!!!!

WOW, this year has been nothing short of amazing! I can't believe that the studio has been open now for 5 years! That itself is truly a gift from God!

We are only a few weeks away from our Spring Recital. And I do believe it will be the best one yet! Our decorations have arrived. Costumes are getting sent home this week and pictures are Saturday!

All of the parents and students are getting REALLY excited......Me? I am of course extremely stressed. That is how is goes every year. Ms. Pam? Yep, she's pretty stressed as well. I am busy making sure all the costume, hair and other details are perfect. And making sure each dance looks the best it can possibly be! And Ms. Pam, well she is running in circles working with different outside vendors getting Tshirt orders in, Our Programs set up & anything else that comes up!

After recital we don't just relax, nope, we move on to our summer classes. We are really excited about this summer and the year ahead. There are many new things we have underway and can't wait for it all to start!

ZUMBA

We are excited to annouce Sam Crosby will be holding a ZUMBA class at the studio. The class will be Monday, May 17 at 7:30pm. Cost is $5 a person.

Sam's Zumba class is high energy & alot of fun. This is a trial class for the studio and we hope you come out and try the class out!

Come prepared to shake, sweat & have fun!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Just wanted to take a minute to wish all my wonderful mom's a Happy Mother's Day.

Me & my family went to Orlando for the weekend and came home today. We spent some time just hanging out with my wonderful momma! She is pretty great!

We have a busy few weeks ahead. Our recital is less then a month away! Where has the time gone? If you ask me, I definitely couldn't tell you! So many of my dance moms told me that once I had Luke time would fly by. And you know what, they were definitely right. Since I became a mother I can't tell you where each year has gone. I look at Luke now and I'm absolutely amazed that my little guy is going to be 4 years old! And then I look at my "tweens" and can't believe that they were just my son's age when they started dancing with me!

So, to all you mom's out there; Have a wonderful day, kiss your babies, and enjoy every minute you have them!!!!