Chris Collins Dance Studio

When CCDS first opened, Chris Collins was the only teacher. There was always a feeling of family in the studio. Chris’s mom, Ruth Collins was always at the front desk while his dad, Bill Collins was fitting shoes. Although they have passed away, we have tried to continue a "close family atmosphere" where students feel welcome and comfortable. Now while Chris and teachers are in class, it is his wife Vickie who greets everyone at the front desk. In thirty five years, thousands of students have passed though our doors. As our studio has evolved, our basic philosophy has remained intact. We want to share the joy of dance with all new students from the tiny tots to our adults. At our studio, All students are a very important part of our dance family - whether they are in recreational classes, or there for hours per week as a company member.

The Early Years

The dance studio first opened in the fall of 1975 and classes were held in a private school. Chris Collins was the only instructor. The first small recital was held at an elementary school on June 11, 1977. Tickets were $1.50! All of the students were basically beginners of different ages, but, they were ready and excited for Showtime 1977! We ordered basic costumes, made some scenery, and got the black lights set out on the stage. The production was a big success. In the fall of 1977, the first storefront location of CCDS opened at 1515 N. Quaker Lane in the Fairlington section of Alexandria. Additional teachers and classes were added in following years, but, with one small teaching room, classes filled quickly. In addition to the core classes of tap, jazz, ballet, and acro, classes were also offered in baton twirling and unicycling. (Not to mention the adult Saturday night Disco classes). Our first "show groups" were formed and they did many local performances. They also performed in Atlantic City on the March of Dimes Telethon in 1980. By 1981, enrollment increased to the point where we started having two performances of our Showtime recital. We outgrew the small studio and moved to Shirlington in the summer of ‘81. Many of today’s traditions were born during this era.

1982 - 1986

The new location had two dance rooms on different floors of the building. With extra added space, we added more adult dance and aerobics classes. We also added classes in Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Roller Disco!! Our small show group became a larger Performing Troupe. They could be seen at the Alexandria Waterfront Festival, Wolf Trap, Arlington Country Fair, Landmark Mall, Tysons Corner Mall, Wild World Theme Park, and the Kennedy Center.

The dance troupe also began dancing competitively. They traveled to Atlantic City for Showstopper Nationals and for several summers spent fun-filled weeks in Ocean City, MD at Starmakers. When the Shirlington area started undergoing renovation in 1984, we moved the dance studio to 360 South Pickett Street. At this location, roller disco was dropped in favor of weekend breakdance classes! In June 1986, we celebrated our first Decade of Dance!

1987 - 1991
15th Anniversary Program Our studio continued to grow while keeping focused on the individual student. Our dance troupe became much more active. They performed regularly at the Old Post Office Pavilion, Market Square, Fort Ward Park, and many other locations. Our dance troupe consistently earned top honors in tap at competitions. With several new teachers, our ballet program was strengthened and we added lyrical dance to our offerings.

Although we no longer had breakdancing, there were now several pom pon dance classes. Alumni may remember this era as the time of shiny lycra tights, blue eye shadow, and French braids. After 15 years in the Alexandria community, a second location opened at Tackett’s Mill Shopping Center in Lake Ridge in 1990. Our students from both locations combined to celebrate our 15th Showtime, with three performances of "Making Memories!"

1992 - 1996
There were two rooms of classes in Lake Ridge and Alexandria full every day with dancers! In 1993, the Alexandria Alexandria Studio home had to be vacated to make room for the Home Depot. We moved to Van Dorn Station – which was our first Alexandria location totally designed to be a dance studio. With sprung wood floors, and two spacious rooms, classes continued to grow. Performing Troupe students from Van Dorn and Lake Ridge combined to perform and brought home many honors. Some of the most memorable routines from that era include Barney & Friends, Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Swing Kids, and From a Distance.

In August 1995, Chris had the opportunity to take over the dance program at the Dale City Recreation Center. The Tackett’s Mill Lake Ridge location closed and students continued to dance in Dale City and Alexandria. Three performances of our 20th anniversary Showtime – "That’s Dancing," were held in June 1996.

1997 - 2001
During these years, musical theater and hip hop were added to our curriculum. Perhaps the most important addition was our graded Cecchetti ballet program. French braids were gone and all students were in buns! Our Performing God Bless the USA troupe members had the opportunity to study with members of the cast of River Dance and Tap Dogs. They also continued to dance competitively. They were featured performers at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and on the boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ. In June 2001, we celebrated "25 Years of Those Dancing Feet" and than our dance troupe was off to their first performance in Disney World!

Later that year, our dancers were asked to perform the award-winning routine God Bless the USA in Old Town Alexandria as the Olympic Torch passed through the city. In December 2001, our dance troupe traveled to NYC to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and take part in the Rockette Experience workshop!

2002 - 2006

Our Performing Troupe evolved into the current Chris Collins Dance Company. The dance company had many new requirements and many more hours of dance per week. With continuity of teachers and a lot of student commitment, our dancers grew technically and as performers. In the summer of 2003, our Company dancers performed at Disney World and Universal Studios. We outgrew the two dance rooms at Van Dorn in Alexandria and in the fall of 2003, and moved to our present location on Eisenhower Avenue. This space was carefully designed with the dancers in mind – with two rooms with sprung wood flooring and a third room (primarily for ballet) with Marley flooring. When we first moved in, it seemed so spacious. However, the third dance room filled quickly! In 2004, our students were big award winners at the Dance Caravan (where two of our own students were demonstrating as "Caravan Kids") In the summer of 2005, our dancers were featured at Hershey Park, PA. In June 2006, the studio celebrated thirty years with "The Beat Goes On." In the summer of 2006, our dancers were featured "Stars at Sea" on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. They performed in international waters on the way to Bermuda! The cruise ship performance was definitely the most memorable in thirty years!!

2007 - 2011

In the summer of 2007, our dance company was back in Orlando. They performed once again at Disney World and Universal Studios. Our curriculum continued to evolve with additions of Rhythm tap and Contemporary. In the last few years, our students received more recognition than ever and our teachers received many high honors for choreography and entertainment. As members of Dance Masters of America, Cecchetti Council of America, and more, we continue to provide quality instruction in a positive atmosphere.

In the summer of 2010, our company dancers were top finalists at the Beyond the Stars Nationals in Cape May, New Jersey. In June 2011, the Chris Collins Dancers celebrated "35 Years of Fabulous Feet!" In summer 2011, the dancers had an encore performance at Walt Disney World.

A lot changes in just five years time. What does our next chapter hold? We hope you will come write that chapter with us! We have a great history, and hope you will come make future memories with us! We are...

PROUD OF OUR PAST;

EXCITED FOR OUR FUTURE!