Chris Collins

Owner & Director

Chris Collins, a certified member or Dance Masters of America, grew up in Alexandria, VA and started tapping at age five. He and his brothers performed together throughout the Washington, DC area and in Atlantic City, NJ. At age eight, he was a featured soloist at his dance studio. By age 13 he was a teaching assistant and he has not had a day off since!

Chris was certified by Dance Educators of America. He spent eight summers as the assistant director to the Stars of Tomorrow Children's Theater in Atlantic City. He has also started many dance and movement programs for area preschools and day care centers over the past thirty years and worked with local schools on musical programs.

In addition, he founded the Accent on Youth talent competition to give local performers throughout the area a chance to showcase their talents. He directed this from 1983 until 2002.

Chris still enjoys being in the classroom, sharing the excitement of dance with enthusiastic young tap students. When the studio first opened in 1975, Chris was the only teacher for all subjects. Now he primarily teaches tap to all ages and levels.

Chris has been awarded many choreography awards over the years, and his students have been the recipients of numerous awards as well. The main emphasis of the studio is not on competition but on instilling a love of dance and giving those interested an opportunity to perform.

Nothing is more rewarding than having former students return because they want their own young children to dance with the same teacher they had years earlier. Though many former students are performing and teaching now themselves, Chris realizes that very few students will pursue dance as a career, but hopes that his classes Build Confidence and Make Memories for all his students.