Lyndzi Barnes is presently the owner of Danceworks of Colorado Springs. In the fall, she will officially be the co-owner of Summit Dance Works along with her husband. Her husband, Doug Barnes, will be leaving his job to run the business side of the studio full time.
Lyndzi describes Danceworks of Colorado as a home away from home. When she was growing up, she considered the dance studio her first home since she spent seven days a week there. When she took over the studio, she knew that is what she wanted it to be – a home away from home. To make sure that each of their students finds their voice, Danceworks teaches all genres to all dancers, all ages, all levels. Some of their students are with them seven days a week and some of them only spend 30 minutes per week in the studio. Seven days a week or 30 minutes a week, they are all a part of their dance family.
In her opinion, her dance studio stands out from other dance studios because of their atmosphere and versatility. Danceworks wants to keep all styles alive but finds that more and more students and studios are gearing just towards one style. According to Lyndzi, they are one of the only studios left in Colorado Springs that competes in lyrical, acro, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, musical theatre, and tap.
Lyndzi says her proudest moment coaching isn’t really narrowed down to one specific moment but any time a kid finally has the light bulb go off and they get it is a proud moment for her. Whether it is a skill that they just mastered, or hit the one part of their dance that has frustrated them time and time again – it really is a joy to witness that with any student. The joy that she sees and the pride that they show after that, always makes it worth it to her.
It is Lyndzi’s belief that the biggest mistakes that dancers make are chasing scores and titles. They have had some years when things have scored really well and some years that they haven’t. This is for so many different reasons but, at the end of the day, her dancers know that scores are the least important thing for her. The experience that they gain from every single time they step on stage is what she tries to instill in every dancer and not what three judges said about them. All she ever cares 
about is that they perform better each time that they go on stage and they do it to the caliber that she expects. After that, scores aren’t what is important.
Her goals for this year, with their new studio, is to really grow and just help as many kids as possible. They are doing more charity work and introducing more dancers into that part of their program as well as take their competition team to the next level. With her husband coming on full time with her, she will be able to focus more on choreographing and not the business side. She just wants to teach dance and help nurture artists find their passion. The business side is just a part of the puzzle
When Lyndzi was 19, she was presented the opportunity to take over the studio where she had grown up. She says that if it had not been presented to her, she honestly doesn’t know if she would have started a studio since she had wanted to be a wedding planner. However, she accepted the opportunity and six years later she is still kicking and couldn’t imagine changing it for anything in the world. Her students are why she does this. That is the only factor that can keep people in this business. You have to love them and want the best for them and that is why she has to keep these doors open and continue to do this every day – for them.
According to Lyndzi, their studio has raised over $26,000 for charity in the past two years. With two shows, they have collaborated with over 16 studios to help raise this money. They are taking this even a step further over the next couple of years by adding in intensives, more studios, and more opportunities for Colorado dancers.
Danceworks of Colorado Springs has built a reputation on providing more than technique and grace for the dancers who join their studio. From their first steps into Dancework’s classrooms through to 
their graduation performance, the students will learn important life skills, build self-confidence, and develop a passion for dance. Their studio promotes a fun atmosphere where students can build friendships that will last a lifetime. All of their classes are taught by qualified instructors to encompass all ages, levels, and abilities including beginning classes for teens. Danceworks also offers viewing windows for parents and four spacious studios to help enhance the family experience.
Additionally, Danceworks offers the largest selection of classes in the region as well as the largest selection of faculty to ensure that their dancers will find a teacher that will fit their dancer’s personality. With over 65 classes offered per week, every student is sure to find a class to fit their interest and their busy schedule. Everyone will appreciate the break room for dancers to relax in, as well as a quiet homework room for dancers to focus on their studies between classes.
The Danceworks Intensive Dance Company is an elite group for the more serious and committed dancers of Danceworks. They perform anywhere from two to four times per year at local and state-wide competitions as well as give back to the community in outreach performances and volunteer opportunities. These dancers work together to achieve a common goal and push each other to become the best that they can possibly be.
In the Starquest 2015 competitions, Danceworks earned over 30 awards, including first place in each of the following competitions: Senior Solos Top 10 Select, Teen Solo Top 15 Classic, Top 20 Select, Petite Solo Nova, Petite Duet/Trios Classic, Petite Duet/Trios Nova, Junior Duet Trios Select, Nova Junior Duet/Trios, Teen Large Groups Select, and Petite Large Groups Classic, Junior Solo Nova, Junior Solos Select, Junior Small Groups, Junior Lines, Classic Senior Duet/Trios.
If you would like more information about Danceworks of Colorado Springs, visit their website at danceworksco.com, call them at (719) 328-0694 or email them at ldjbarnes@icloud.com. You can also “Like” them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and “Pin” them on Pinterest.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Lyndzi Barnes of Danceworks of Colorado Springs.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
