- Established: 1970
- Director: Gina DeCroix Russell
- Employees: 14
- Services: dance studio
- 2820 S. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield
- 217-522-9064
Originally named Caskey Dance Studio, the business was founded in the 1930s and went through a name change in July 1970 to become Dance Arts Studio. Gina DeCroix Russell became the owner and director in January 2018.
“It’s worth noting that Grace Luttrell Nanavati was the owner and director of Dance Arts Studio for 45 years, and she is still actively involved in the studio as an instructor and choreographer,” Russell said. The staff currently consists of seven instructors and seven class assistants.
Russell grew up dancing at Dance Arts Studio and joined the staff as an instructor and choreographer in 1998.
“Dance Arts Studio has always provided an exceptional foundation in classical ballet, while also offering expert instruction in modern, jazz, tap, theatre and hip hop,” she said. “We have the best instructors who all have extraordinary backgrounds in dance. As a result, we develop extraordinary dancers.”
Dance Arts Studio is dedicated to excellence in the art of dance and continues to be one of the most well-respected dance studios in central Illinois, with classes offered for children age 20 months through adulthood and for beginning to advanced technique levels”
This article appears in 15 Under Fifteen – 2025.