Dancing to a new location

Tori Sutton
Staff Reporter
A big move to a new location has seen a local dance studio start off summer on the right foot.

On Stage Dance Studio moved to its new location at 172 Ontario St. earlier this month and officially opened the doors for its very first summer school session in the new location on July 7.

The spacious and bright studio is a step up from the former location on Huron Street, offering enough space for three large studios, boys’ and girls’ change rooms and a small dance-wear section with items available for purchase by the general public.

“To say it was a lot of work is an understatement,” said Meghan Seaman, On Stage owner and artistic director, in an interview this week.

Preparing the new space wasn’t easy with construction taking about four months to complete. Walls had to be torn down and new paint applied. The most difficult job was the installation of the sprung floors, which help protect dancers from injury.

Seaman said she was fortunate to have so much help from her family and friends. Her mother, father and brother Joel, her friends and many of her dance parents were instrumental in getting the new studio up and running.

“I owe them a huge thank you. If I had to do all of it myself, I don’t know if I would be here today,” she said.

It was difficult to leave the Huron Street location that On Stage had called home for several years.

However, it was evident the studio, with over 400 students, was outgrowing the space and for the last two years, a few classes even had to be held at a nearby school.

A busy schedule of jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, creative movement and musical theatre classes has quickly filled up all three studios in the new location, with classes being offered six days a week.

“It’s nice to have the bigger size dance rooms and in general, it’s nice to have more space,” she said.

It was tough keeping the construction on schedule, but the hard work has paid off, with plenty of positive feedback about the new location.

And Seaman wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I get to dance every day,” she said, without hestitation, when asked her favourite part of the job. “I love seeing the kids and the enjoyment they get out of it. It’s great to see them progress.” 

PHOTO: On Stage Dance Studio owner and artistic director Meghan Seaman is all smiles about the studio’s new location at 172 Ontario St. The doors to the new space officially opened on July 7 and summer sessions are in full swing. In the background, Seaman’s brother Joel teaches a tap class during an all-boys dance camp earlier this week. (Tori Sutton Photo)