Alive Danceworks

For Jenn Mcleod, owner of Alive Danceworks, dancing is more than a fun pastime – it’s a way of life. She sees dance as something artistic and transcendent, and really connects with the community to develop a shared love for this creative expression. Alive started out in the foyer of a local school, but quickly outgrew the space.

When Jenn talks about expanding to two other studios, you can hear how important people are to her. “We were trying to create a family feel and connect with the community,” she says. Not happy with two smaller studios that were separate, Jenn continued to search for a home that could provide enough space for everyone.

She opened Alive’s current location in early 2015, and it’s the biggest space yet. With more than 15 staff members and a plethora of classes for all ages and styles, she’s filling it out well. “We start at age zero,” she says. In addition to adult classes, the studio offers classes for babies, toddlers, and children. Jenn says it’s great for them to get familiar with music and movement at a young age. There is also an audition-only intensive program designed to help talented dancers develop careers in the industry. And for people in the middle, there are classes for every experience level and style – from jazz and tap to hip hop and contemporary.