Dancing into the next decade: Dance academy moves location, expands programming

DeKALB – Miranda Cordes has come full circle in her decadeslong DeKalb dance career as she expands Dimensions Dance Academy, formerly Debbie’s Dance Dimensions, to its new location downtown.

Cordes, owner and artistic director for the dance school, says new is the name of the game at DDA’s 134 E. Lincoln Highway spot, where the school has been since September. A grand reopening celebration will be held there from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

“‘Same Amazing Dance Instruction’ is our new tag line,” Cordes said. “Now that we have a new name and a new location, we can reach more people, be more visible and have more classes.”

Cordes, a native DeKalb resident and lifelong dancer, started taking classes with former owner Debbie Jones at the old Seventh Street dance studio when she was 8 years old. Her dance career brought her to the Beth Fowler School of Dance in Genoa for 16 years, as well as troupes in New York City, Milwaukee and Chicago, before making her way back home to DeKalb where she attended Northern Illinois University, dancing with a full-ride scholarship.

“[The dance academy] just really fell in my lap,” Cordes, now 35, said, explaining how Jones’ retirement gave way to her taking ownership in 2013, and changing the name to Dimensions Dance Academy.

The evolution of the studio has been a steady transition, Cordes said, naming the “giant upstairs ballroom” as key in acquiring the new space. Within her vision for expanded programming, Cordes hopes to renovate the second floor within the year to create another dance studio, expand the adult ballroom dance classes, bring in monthly live music and create “an old school vibe” hangout space upstairs for Friday night classes, music and cocktails.

With 10 other teachers on staff, Cordes mostly sticks to teaching ballet. The studio also offers jazz, tap, contemporary and ballroom dance classes among others, catering to about 100 students ranging in age from 3 to 65.

DDA also is founding a nonprofit dance company called Dimensions Youth Ballet. The dance company will offer local youth the opportunity for pre-professional training and multiple performing opportunities within the city. Cordes hopes to partner with the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra, among other performing arts organizations, and “grow companionship” within the local art community.

“To me, dance means being able to express yourself, and for us as artists being able to put our emotions into movement,” Cordes said. “I like teaching because I get to share my passion with children, and watch them grow and learn.”

Central in the dance academy’s tenant is to foster growth through the mission statement, too. “We’re also really big on training our students to be humble and kind individuals,” Cordes said.

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is planning a ribbon-cutting for Dimensions Dance Academy at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday. The grand reopening Saturday will include refreshments, free trial classes, a behind-the-scenes look at rehearsals for an upcoming production of “Swan Lake,” set to open in February, and an opportunity for children to interact and take photos with ballerinas.