Studio West Dance Center Mission

Studio West Dance Center opened in 2006 and is dedicated to offering classes with a high standard of dance technique, style, artistry,and performance. Our goal is to help students develop a positive self-image physically and artistically in an innovative and fun atmosphere.

 

SWDC History

Founder and Owner Jennifer Knostman has been dancing for over 46 years with over 30 years teaching and choreography experience. Ms. Knostman was active in theatre, movies and forensics since a young age which rounds out her artistic ability. Her studies have taken her from Kansas to England, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, California, Nevada, New York and Colorado. Touring, teaching and competing led to many individual and company recognitions over the years. As a member of Dance Masters and through participation in dance conferences she has stayed up to date in all areas of dance and instruction. Being a dancer, who started at the age of three, her passion for teaching and choreography developed as early as junior high school. This passion continued through college while attending Kansas State University where she taught dance with the Washington Dance Studio. With an extensive background in dance, a degree from KSU, ten years experience as a Retail Visual Merchandiser and working as a Buyer and Assistant Manager of J Pitner Clothing Co., she gained the business background to run a successful dance studio. This year Jennifer is excited to use her retail management experience to open En Location- A Dance & Body Wear Boutique.

Studio West Dance Center (SWDC) was established in 2006. The name came from Jennifer’s favorite movie growing up, West Side Story. No matter the time of day West Side Story was on, Jennifer would watch and dance along. The movie has remained an inspiration all of her life. SWDC has grown from 50 students in the early days to over 300swdcgroups2011-051. SWDC also has a successful Ensemble Competition team that has grown from a handful of dancers competing 3 pieces in 2006 to a team over 50 dancers strong. Ranging from ages four to eighteen, these dancers compete in almost 60 different pieces including large & small groups, solos, duets and trios.

Studio West Dance Center also offers personalized and professionalized dance instruction/consultation and attention to each family’s personal needs. Studio West Dance Center is a family environment and families are welcome to stay to watch their dancers, read and relax for a moment, and let younger siblings explore.