Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Kessler.
Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started dancing when I was three years old and instantly fell in love with it. Over the years, I trained in a variety of styles — ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, and more — and by twelve, I was competing regularly. When I began teaching at fourteen, I realized that my true passion wasn’t just performing, but helping others discover their own love for dance. That early experience shaped everything that’s come since — teaching, coaching, performing, and now, running my own studio.
In January of 2025, I took a huge leap and became the owner of what is now Aspire Dance Studio at age 23. Becoming a business owner has been both exciting and humbling — it’s given me the chance to turn my lifelong passion into a space that uplifts others. Running Aspire means I get to combine my background as both a dancer and an educator to create an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and valued.
At Aspire, our mission goes far beyond perfecting technique. We focus on building confidence, resilience, and community. I believe every dancer should walk into class feeling encouraged and leave feeling proud of what they’ve accomplished — not just as dancers, but as people. Watching dancers grow year after year, seeing their confidence blossom, and knowing the studio is a place where they feel they belong is what makes all the long hours and behind-the-scenes work worthwhile.
Owning Aspire Dance Studio has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my journey. It’s taught me about leadership, creativity, and the power of building a positive culture. My goal is for Aspire to continue being a place that inspires dancers to dream big, work hard, and always keep growing — both on and off the dance floor.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but every challenge has helped me grow both as a person and a business owner. When I took over the studio, it was just a couple of weeks before our first competition — and many of the routines weren’t ready. I spent countless hours in extra practices with our competitive dancers to make sure we were prepared and that the dancers felt supported through the transition.
One of the biggest challenges was shifting the studio culture. Some of the older dancers were already feeling discouraged and emotionally drained from previous experiences, so rebuilding trust and creating a positive, inclusive environment took time and patience. I wanted Aspire to become a place where every dancer feels welcome, valued, and excited to come to class — and seeing that transformation has been incredibly rewarding.
On the business side, I’ve also had to learn a lot very quickly — from cutting music and managing scheduling to accounting and everything in between. It’s been a learning curve, but each new skill has made me more confident and capable of leading Aspire forward. Even through the tough moments, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything — it’s been so fulfilling to see the growth in both the dancers and the studio as a whole.
We’ve been impressed with Aspire Dance Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Aspire Dance Studio is more than just a place to take dance classes — it’s a community built on positivity, growth, and connection. We offer classes for boys and girls ages 2-18, from beginners just finding their rhythm to experienced competitors. Our programs include recreational and competitive dance in a variety of styles such as ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and tumbling, as well as technique classes designed to help dancers reach their fullest potential.
What truly sets Aspire apart is our focus on the whole dancer. We believe dance is about more than steps and routines — it’s about building confidence, discipline, and lifelong friendships. We prioritize a supportive, encouraging environment where every dancer feels valued and celebrated. Our teaching philosophy is centered around growth, not comparison, and we emphasize teamwork, respect, and self-expression in everything we do.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the culture we’ve built. When I rebranded the studio as Aspire, my goal was to create a space that inspires dancers to dream big — to aspire not just to improve in dance, but to become kind, resilient, and confident individuals. Seeing families, students, and staff embrace that mission and feel proud to be part of our studio community has been incredibly rewarding. Our studio motto, “Be your best self,” guides everything we do. It’s a reminder to every dancer that success isn’t about being the best in the room, but about showing up, working hard, and continuing to grow into the best version of yourself.
At Aspire, we’re not just teaching dance — we’re helping dancers build skills and confidence that last far beyond the studio. Whether a dancer’s goal is to compete, perform professionally, or simply have fun and make friends, we’re here to support their journey every step of the way.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are from dancing at competitions with my friends. We always had so much fun — whether we were backstage getting ready, cheering each other on, or just enjoying being together doing what we loved. Recitals were always a highlight too, getting to perform and share our hard work with family and friends. I loved being able to travel, perform, and explore so many different styles of dance. One moment that stands out the most was when I earned 1st overall with my solo — I remember feeling so proud and absolutely beaming with excitement. It was one of those moments that reminded me why I fell in love with dance in the first place.
Pricing:
- Please see our website www.aspiredance.studio/pricing for more information
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aspiredance.studio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aspiredancestudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575394104690
