On Your Toes Dance Studio (OYT) in St. Louis, Missouri, is a family based dance studio where they not only teach proper dance technique but also show children a sense of teamwork, life skills, self esteem and motor skills. They offer dance class, tumbling, poms, martial arts, fitness classes and so much more! They are the only studio in the area that offers specialty workshops for non dancers and dancers together as well as custom birthday parties.
Established in 1998, OYT is a family oriented dance studio providing group classes and private lessons to students of all ages in Ballet, Pointe, Contemporary, Lyrical, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Pom Poms, Musical Theater, fitness classes, Acro, Tumbling, Yoga, Leaps and Turns, Dance and Sing Along, Parent and Tot, Stretch and Strengthening, and various technique classes. Additionally, they have classes specifically for adults and alumni. In addition to dance classes, they have specialty classes that are not on the normal schedule and workshops.
It is their philosophy that quality dance instruction should be available for their students while at the same time having fun and finding the passion for the art form. OYT is dedicated to educating not only dancers, but their parents as well, about the world of dance. They offer a positive learning environment by giving encouragement along with constructive criticism.
On Your Toes Dance Studio believes that the greatest dancers are the result of a good support system. That system includes the parents, teachers and other community professionals. Because dance is a continuous process and requires a big commitment, they encourage as many people in the dancer’s support system to be a part of the dancer’s dance education. It is vital for dancers to be positive about their abilities and accomplishments and most importantly to receive support from everyone in their lives.
As a studio, they strive to provide a positive atmosphere for the dancer and their family. It is 
their belief that harmony between parents is key and having a happy “studio family” is extremely important. Showing regard for other parents, as well as faculty and other dancers, makes a big impression on all of their students. As faculty and guardians, OYT works to be good role models and positive influences for their students.
On Your Toes stresses encouraging their students to be the best that they can be. Comparing their dancers to others only creates jealousy an animosity. No two dancers progress the same way and their students need to gain skills and strength at their own pace.
In the opinion of Kelly Kirkpatrick, Owner and Director, what separates their dance studio from other dance studios is the fact that they do not do what others do. For example, they do princess, superhero and glam (among other) workshops all of which are open to the non-dancing general public. The studio is now offering martial arts classes as well and several of their fitness instructors hold boot camp classes. Additionally, they have their own dance store right in the studio for the convenience of their parents.
Kelly’s proudest moment as a dance coach just happened during the last competition season when a group of dancers were on stage. There was a storm happening at the time and just before going on stage one of her dancers asked Kelly, “What if the sound goes out?” Kelly said that would not happen and if it did they would know what to do . . . keep dancing! (They have been trained to keep going no matter what else is happening.) Well, not only did the sound go out but seconds after the audio failed, the lights went out! On Your Toes’ dancers just KEPT DANCING with no sound AND in the dark and they did not miss a beat. The entire competition was on their feet cheering and applauding. Kelly just stood there and cried as she watched her dancers be the professionals that she knows they are. It was a moment that Kelly will never forget.
From Kelly’s perspective, she believes the biggest mistake she has seen dancers make is when they THINK they are working hard and pushing their potential when in fact they really are not. “Fixing” something like this is not easy in Kelly’s mind, but she does think it has to come from the dancer. If they want to excel and get stronger, they must take their corrections, apply their corrections and then sustain those corrections. This is their studio motto . . . cOmmit, applY, susTain. If you look at the capital letters, they spell OYT, the acronym for On Your Toes.
Kelly’s goals for the studio are to get a new martial arts program up and running and to always see her dancers progress and grow as dancers and young people. It is On Your Toes desire to not only create skilled, beautiful dancers, but to also create individuals with a strong mind and sense of success in every aspect of their life.
She has been dancing all of her life and started teaching when she was only 13 years of age. She says it is in her blood and because she has a head for business, it just seemed like the only thing she wanted to focus on. At one point, Kelly thought she wanted to be a zoologist but then decided to switch gears after a semester in college. She quickly realized that her calling is teaching and running a business. Consequently, it only seemed logical for her to open a dance studio of her own.
Kelly is very proud of what they do at On Your Toes. Her staff has little turn over and they all have dance degrees. Many of her staff members have been through a college dance program with her or were Kelly’s students growing up and are now back with her as instructors. So, the backbone of her staff is people who have been with her for 18 years now.
If you would like more information about On Your Toes Dance Studio, visit their website at danceonyourtoes.com or call them at 314-487-8082. You can also “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Kelly Kirkpatrick of On Your Toes Dance Studio.
