- April 26, 2024
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Legacy Dance Studio owner and teacher Shannon Thomas was built by dance.
She began dancing at four years old and continued all throughout her life whether it was Spruce Creek High School or Oklahoma State University, where she studied dance.
“My dad will ask me ‘who raised you?’” Thomas said. “And I’ll just say dance.”
Thomas has been the owner and sole teacher at the Legacy Dance Studio in Port Orange for three years. Entering her third season at Legacy, the studio held their open house on Saturday to register new members, give prospective dancers a tour of the studio and serve snacks to any of the guests.
Legacy has put on dozens of performances over the past three years and last year performed over 15.
“We do competitions, Volusia County Dances and a bunch of community performances,” Thomas said. “I’m the owner and the only teacher, so I feel like I personally know these kids and their training. I can see where they’re going and what they need to do to get better, and I also do the business side, so I think I have a personal relationship with these families.”
Last year the studio performed “The Places You’ll Go” as their main performance of the year at the News-Journal Center. As the studio’s annual showcase, it sold out, selling over 700 tickets.
This year the studio will perform “The Legacy of Hollywood”. Thomas wants to ensure that season three’s students leave a legacy of their own.
Thomas grew up with the love for the dance, and now she just wants to create that love in the kids she teaches.
"I grew up in Port Orange and went to Spruce Creek High School, and being part of the business community in Port Orange as a female, I feel like I’m a strong advocate for the arts here. I love having the relationship with the kids and being a mentor to them. I look forward to continuing that legacy,” Thomas said.
