Krista Wagner is the Owner and Director at the Dance Connection in Derby, New York. She describes Dance Connection as a studio specializing in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acrobatics, and Pointe. They are focused on creating the greatest possible environment to encourage their dancers to explore and excel in the world of dance. Offering both recreational and competitive levels of dance, there is something for everyone!
In Krista’s opinion, the most important things in dance are technique and entertainment! She pushes each of her dancers not only to improve their dance technique each week but to also be the most entertaining and engaging dancers that they can be! She teaches the majority of the classes at Dance Connection herself. This is because she wants to ensure that each of their dancers is receiving the best possible experience and training at Dance Connection. Even though they have an awesome and dynamic team of teachers and assistants, she spends every minute she can in the dance room! She knows each of her dancers’ strengths, weaknesses, and personalities so that she can structure her classes in the best way possible.
According to Krista, It is hard to pick one moment that made her proudest. Every single time a student finally masters a jump or turn that they have been working on, she swells with pride at their dedication and love for dancing. But she says that if she had to pick one moment in particular, it would be last season at competition when her advanced teen dancers not only won an overall platinum score but also a judge’s pick award for their musical theatre routine, Wild, Wild Party! They deserved it, they were absolutely fantastic!!
Krista believes that the biggest mistake a dancer can make is to dance without heart and confidence. Dance is a beautiful and expressive art form and each student brings something different to her studio. She wants each of her dancers to embrace their strengths and keep working on their weaknesses. Krista says that when they get on stage, they should own it! Be proud of what they have accomplished and show the world!
Her goals for the year are to bring a new level of technique to her younger dancers. Rather than focusing solely on the “fun” aspect of dance (which is so important!!!), she has adjusted the curriculum to include more technique at an earlier age. For her competitive 
students, she hopes to continue the winning streak that they experienced last season and keep getting better and better! For the studio as a whole, the goal is to create a fun and entertaining show filled with creative concepts and amazing dancers!
Krista knew when she was a little girl that she would someday own a dance studio. She started assisting classes at ten, then choreographing routines at fourteen. During her junior year of college, her dance teacher Miss Bev announced that she would be retiring and made Krista an offer to buy the studio. Krista jumped at the chance and is now in her third successful season as studio owner! Being able to share her passion for dancing with her students is an absolute honor. She loves to see their talents grow, and more than that she loves to see their confidence grow. She could not be happier.
Krista started dancing when she was 2 and bought the studio at age 22! After graduating from Canisius College with a Marketing & Management degree, she was able to solely focus on dance. She is so happy to be able to fill her days with what she loves and could not be happier with her studio and her fantastic students!
If you would like more information about the Dance Connection, visit their website at derbydanceconnection@gmail.com, call them at 716-220-2679. or email them at derbydanceconnection@gmail.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Krista Wagner of Dance Connection.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
You never cease to amaze me! Each time I think I couldn’t be any prouder, there you go again!!! Your passion for dance started at age 2 and continued like a steam engine ever since! Your students are so incredibly lucky to have such a passionate, talented and loving teacher. You’re truly an inspiration!
I could say so much more about your passion and dedication not only in dance, but for each and every one of your dancers. You make them feel loved and encouraged and it’s so amazing to see. You have shown my daughter’s what it is to grow as an artist and to never give up! I can’t imagine ever having someone till your shoes or even come close! Thank you for being such an amazing teacher and inspiring them every single class! I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Miss Krista, where do I start! I don’t have the words that express the amount of gratitude we for you! When we started our daughter in dance it was because she lacked self esteem, and was shy when in front of or around people, we knew she was the exact opposite at home and needed her to feel better about herself when around others. This affected her school work as she was to shy to speak up, read out loud, or even ask or answer questions. We tried everything working with the teachers even hiring a private tutor. We thought dance was a stab in the dark. You have personally brought her out of her shell and she is the opposite of shy now! Little did we know that dance would not only make her feel better, learn technique, feed her competitive drive, create friendships, create a new love for another form of art, and so many more personal growths, but she now has another person in her life who she can look up to and adore! It really does take a village. Thank you for giving her so many great things we are truly thankful to have you in her life and ours as well.
My christina has been dancing sence she was 5 . She always gave me such a hard time about going to dance.. 2 years ago we joined Dance Connection, boy did
things change she absolutely loves going to dance . Absolutely love miss Krista. Even though christina is not dancing now( because she fell off a cliff) that’s all she worries about is when she could go back to dance. She still goes up to the Dance Center just to see Miss Krista and her dance connection friends. Miss Krista has taught her so much, not only physically but mentally as well, I have to say she is one of the best dance teachers ever. Always welcoming her kids with open arms kisses and hugs. And always making them feel like they’re the only one. No matter how many kids she had in the studio. Miss Krista we love you and can’t wait to be dancing at your studio again in September
To say that Miss. Krista and Dance Connection is the best thing to happen to my children is an understatement! Dancing for you has boosted all of my daughters confidence! Miss. Krista is an inspiration to our children. I don’t know if you will ever understand the impact you have on all of your dancers! Thank you for being such a devoted great person and and going above and beyond for your students!
Words cant even express how great this woman is.The amount of time and passion she puts into her students and studio is second to none. She makes it a point that every student and person in her life is pushing themselves to their fullest potential and nothing less. She ensures to teach them not only the proper technique of dance but also the fundamentals of life. I have had the pleasure of preforming,being taught by and now working for this fantastic woman and her expectations haven’t changed for me. Words can not express the impact she has made on my life. From the smallest this like pointing my feet for jumps or getting all my sound in for tap, to never being afraid to be yourself and to hold you head high no matter what.
To say she is amazing would be an understatement.