Shaw Dance Medallion Classic 2016

Shaw Dance History Part 2

Shaw Dance Studio History Part 2 (1994-2000)

 

 

By the fall of 1994, Shaw Dance Studio had grown to approximately 80 students. It was at this time that director Jana Shaw recognized the need for more space for the dancers. Shaw Dance moved to the main upstairs area of Sunset Square and went from Jana's small garage to 1100 square feet. Following the move, after just one year, the studio was flourishing and because of complaints from other Sunset Square tenants regarding the noise that comes from loud music and hard dancers, Shaw Dance moved a short distance to its current location in the basement of Sunset Square. In this new basement location, there was a small office space, lobby, parent viewing area, and what is recognized today as dance room one was actually two separate small dance rooms. It was a cozy, family-oriented space where the dancers felt at home.  Jana also increased her staff, welcoming a few more teachers, one of which is the amazing Cheryl Martinez.

Shaw Dance was in a time of growth and consistency by 1995. As more dance space was needed, two more rooms, which are recognized today as the preschool room and room four were added to the studio dance space. The staff at Shaw Dance continued to teach classic dance genres as well as add new forms of dance classes when needed. The implementation of Shaw Dance's Dance Achievement Awards began. This achievement is still given today to those dancers and their families who have been dancing with Shaw Dance for five or more years. Suzette Stewart also joined the teaching staff at this time and Shaw Dance continued to be very successful in its recreation as well as in their competitive teams, receiving high ratings and being awarded many first and second place trophies. In order to accommodate Shaw Dance's larger teams, room one was opened up to create one large dance room with double the space.

Jana and her family moved to North Ogden and realized the need for her to branch out to her community there. She opened a small branch of Shaw Dance Studio in her new home's basement. In this small studio space she taught approximately 35 students and kept this branch of her studio going for five years before deciding to consolidate those two spaces and teach only at the Sunset Square location once again.

A new adventure began for Jana as her daughter McKenna was able to begin classes at Shaw Dance and her first son Logan was born in 1997. This only fueled her love of dance, music appreciation, and passion for teaching. She has always encouraged her students to continue in their passion and learning. As a great mentor even to this day, Jana continually attends conventions in order to keep up with current dance trends and pass that knowledge on to her dancers. This attitude of continual learning has influenced her dancers over the years. Focusing on technique and the philosophy that anyone can be a great dancer with perseverance, hard work, and dedication, Jana and her dance family have been able to grow Shaw Dance Studio and its dancers into the powerhouses that they are today. 

 

Shaw Dance 25 Years Strong!

 

Shaw Dance Studio

celebrating

Silver 25th Anniversary

Shaw Dance Studio originated in June 1991 just off of 6000 South in Roy, in a small two car garage that was attached to Jana Shaw's home. The small new studio had vinyl floors, mirrors, ballet bars on the wall, and a few space heaters. Jana started with just three students, one of which was Kimberly Barker, whose nieces still take dance at Shaw today.  These students started out in a combination class learning ballet, tap, jazz, and creative movement.

By the following May 1992, the studio had grown to about 30 students ages 3 - Jr. High. They competed in several competitions this year and did quite well, receiving high ratings as well as numerous first and second place trophies.

 

 

 

 

With the help of her dad running the music and a few others, Jana was able to pull off her first recital in Roy High School's Little Theater. The recital was a huge success and showcased the different genres of dance that she had been teaching, including lyrical, jazz, clogging, and tap.

 Jana was teaching school full time, expecting her first child McKennna, running and teaching every one of the classes at Shaw Dance Studio, and also teaching dance at Becky's School of Dance in West Valley. She was a busy woman! But it was at this time that she had the great opportunity to go into business with her long time friend Michelle Johnson, (who was also teaching dance from her home in Bountiful) and a new Studio, Johnson/Shaw Dance opened in Parrish Square in Centerville. They leased around 1000 square feet, and together started this new adventure with several new students from the area.

Jana Shaw graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor in Science in Dance and English Education. While at USU she spent two years on a dance scholarship, was an Aggieette, and was also on their modern dance company, Danceworks. In 1990 she was the outstanding Senior in Dance, as well as the HYPER outstanding student teacher.

 

Jana won Business and Professional Women's Association Young Careerist for all of Northern Utah. She was also 1st runner up at the State level for Business and Professional Women's Association Young Careerist.

Jana's first dance teacher was Miss Becky. She was an amazing teacher who instilled a love of dance in all of her students. From the time Jana was six years old she had a desire to own her own dance studio. Miss Becky was tough, having been known for "lovingly" throwing tap shoes at her students when they made mistakes, Jana included, but they loved her dearly. She is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, modern, clogging, Pointe', and contemporary.  Jana remembers working hard at dance, it didn't always come easy for her. Her dad, who is a musician taught her (through many years of frustration) to count music. He took her to multiple dance classes and worked tirelessly with her. She has fond memories of him showing her how to do an arabesque, and spent countless hours working with her to improve her craft. Jana's mother bought all of the Al Gilbert records, (yes, records) and would play them constantly, with encouragement to practice all of the time. Her mother worked at LDS Hospital. Jana would visit her often where her mother would say, "you need to come dance for my friends", (meaning the patients) so patient's beds would be moved and Jana spent years dancing in recovery rooms and hospital hallways for the staff and patents there. Jana spent countless hours performing at malls, parades, nursing homes, and first competed in the 8th grade. One of her young dance highlights was when Miss Becky took her students on Eugene Jelesnick's talent showcase on KSL. She was able to perform tap on this show twice and she loved every second of it! When Jana married her husband Mike she expressed to him her desire to open up her own dance studio. He has always been supportive of her dreams throughout the years. Every time she has wanted to expand, or try something new, he has supported and encouraged her in her endeavors. Through the support and love of her family, friends, and loyal dance families she has been able to grow Shaw Dance Studio into the amazing and successful business that it is today!

With the celebration of our 25th anniversary, we look forward to sharing with you in the next few months more of the history and background of this great studio.