Elevate Dance Studio Sauk Rapids Open for Business

(KNSI) – A local woman has turned her love of dance and a childhood dream into her career.

Shantelle DesMarais opened Elevate Dance Center in Sauk Rapids on June 2nd. She says running a dance studio has been something she’s wanted to do ever since she can remember.

“I have known that I love dance since I was a kid. And I knew I wanted to have a studio since I was a kid, but I didn’t really know if it was something that was realistic or feasible.”

The Pipestone High School graduate went to college at St. Cloud State University, where she studied Biomedical Sciences and continued to dance competitively.

While on pandemic lockdown, DeMarais would practice in her basement and realized that there had to be others like her who needed studio space to hone their skills. Then, she found the spot to put her dreams in motion.

“When I found this space, I thought this is the perfect time. I just graduated from college. I didn’t really have any other commitments that were necessarily holding me back so, I thought you know what? I’m going to go for it. I’m going to do it and the response has been really positive I think.”

The studio offers ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap classes, and more drop-in-style classes, which are unique to the dance community. That means you only pay for the courses you take instead of a monthly fee, whether at class or not.

Elevate consists of a 1,600-square-foot studio with room to add a second studio and lobby space or a third studio.

For more information, click here.

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