The community celebrated the renovation of Dan & Company dance studio in Dunwoody Village on March 2 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The studio had been in existence for 56 years, first under the tutelage of Ronda and Dan Youmans. Dan died in 2022 at the age of 74 after a distinguished career in the industry. His daughter, Tina Youmans Hildago, who is carrying on her parents’ legacy, celebrated the opening of the new space next to Good Vibes Ice Cream Shop.
“You are certainly one of the longest-running Dunwoody businesses,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said during the ceremony. “We are so thrilled that you made the choice to stay in Dunwoody and pour into our children, and offer cultural and artistic opportunities.”
“My parents started this studio 56 years ago, and they would be so incredibly proud of where we are now,” Hildago said. “Everyone has made this so beautiful, and we can’t thank you enough. We’re ready for another 50 years.”
Dan & Company dancers have been a staple at many Dunwoody traditions, including celebrations at Light Up Dunwoody and its annual Fourth of July Parade. The studio offers a variety of programs for ages three and up, including ballet, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and tap dancing.
According to Dan’s obituary, he and his wife started the dance company in 1971 and have trained generations of dancers through the years.
“They created a wonderful dance community where they have trained hundreds of dancers in the Dunwoody and Atlanta area,” it said. “He was a father to so many. He was the most charismatic, funny, iconic man to anyone who was lucky enough to know him.”