Name of business: Backstage Academy of Dance
Type of business: Dance studio
Location: 957 East Monte Vista Avenue, Turlock
Contact info: 667-8511
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
History of business: Turlock Resident Kristi Garcia has been dancing for decades, and her dance school, Backstage Academy of Dance, is proof of her hard work and dedication throughout her 16 years as director.
“I’ve been dancing since I was about 4 years old and I was taught by various teachers,” said Garcia. “At the time I started there weren't many dance studios in Turlock. I started teaching and running Backstage Academy of Dance's program in my late teens and was given the opportunity to be an owner and, since then, this studio has thrived throughout the years.”
Backstage recently moved from its long-time home on Canal Drive to a new location on Monte Vista Avenue and is offering more classes.
“This is our second week since the big move and so far it’s been wonderful,” said Garcia. “It worked out perfect because we close during the school holidays, so during spring break it gave me a good chance to get everything moved and settled in. We were ready for a change.”
Business specialty: Backstage offers jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet and pointe classes to students ages two and above. For the younger dancers, Backstage offers combination classes with an hour of instruction in two disciplines.
“We provide professional technique training in various kinds of dance,” said Garcia. “We have 28 years of experience in the industry and we have phenomenal teachers.”
Backstage also offers Latin cardio for adults and teens at $5 a class, with no registration fee.
“I teach the Latin cardio class and it’s a combination of dances and exercise routines that I’ve choreographed," said Garcia. “You can come and go as you please and for $45 people can come as many times as they want and take the classes we have to offer.”
Backstage will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 11, which includes a free 30 minute class in hip hop.
“We invite the community to see what Backstage Dance Academy is all about,” said Garcia.
