Dance studio expansion announced

(Above) Dancin’ With Roxie will expand their studio located at 1502 2nd Ave. S.  An expanded lobby, parking lot, two new studios, a study zone and cafe are all part of the plans.  -Submitted photo

by Michelle Watson

Dancin’ With Roxie (DWR) is giving the community something to cheer about with the expansion of their studio at 1502 2nd Ave. S., Clear Lake.  The studio purchased ground to the north of the existing building to add over 5,300 square feet to its existing 3,700 square foot building.

The project contributes to the transformation of a block of South 15th Street just off Main Avenue which will soon include a new all-inclusive playground adjacent to the city’s Aquatic Center, as well as new housing where a former city shed once stood.

The Dancin’ With Roxie expansion, which is projected to be  completed by this fall, will add two new studios, an expanded lobby and parking area, a study zone, additional restrooms and a cafe.  The two new studios can be combined into a national regulation size studio.

Owner Roxanna Johnson will be aided in the renovation by Dean Snyder Construction and Atura Architecture.  She estimates the cost will be 

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close to $1 million.

“We have been in Clear Lake since 2006 and due to a high demand for dance classes, we saw a need to expand,” said Johnson.  “We have seen this community grow and watched as this location has become a dance home for students who drive as much as 45-minutes.  As the community has grown, so has the need for this new space.  We are excited to bring additional class offerings and availability to the community.”

The new facility will serve  400 to 500 students between the ages of 18-months and 18 years.  Johnson said DWR serves over 1,500 students between its four locations.  The classes cater to a wide range of students, from those who are just learning, to those who pursue high levels of competitive dance.

“We will have more class offerings and be able to train more dancers with the additional space,” said Johnson.  “In addition, we will be able to continue our support of dance teams, like the Clear Lake Dance team, by offering them a studio space with a national regulation sized floor.”

Johnson said the regulation sized floor is an incredible advantage to teams, allowing them to practice on the size of floor they will compete on.  She went on to say that she sees the expansion as an investment in her own internationally ranked All-Star Team.

“As one of the only studios in the state competing at the All-Star level, we are training dancers who often go on to compete at the collegiate level.  This facility will continue to support that training,” she said.

Johnson opened Dancin’ With Roxie after graduating from college in 2005 in her hometown of Hampton.  She opened her second studio in Clear Lake in 2006.  About five years ago, a third DWR Studio was opened in Ankeny with her sister, Richelle.  Last year their youngest sister opened a fourth location in Iowa Falls.

Johnson has spent her life dedicated to dancing, including being a part of the nationally ranked Iowa State University Dance Team while she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts with Dance Emphasis.  

Johnson, who resides in Sheffield, is supported on the home front by her husband, Adam, and their children, Kylin and twins, Adra and Emerli.

“Some of my biggest joys are seeing my DWR alumni move on to chase their dance dreams.  It’s a highlight to see many go on to dance collegiately at universities across the nation,” said Johnson.

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