MARSHALL?- Long-time dance student, assistant instructor and choreographer Breanna Ahmann takes center stage with her own dance studio.

The Marshall Academy of Dance is located at 348 West Main Street, Marshall, and will be starting classes Sept. 6.

Ahmann has choreographed dance routines for the local theaters and “The Nutcracker.”

“My most memorable dance experience was taking classes at the Broadway Dance Center when I was in New York for a dance competition,” she said. “I’ve been in dance for 19 years and have taught five of those years. I have also attended numerous dance camps throughout those years.”

This summer when the dance studio she had been working in became available, Ahmann felt it was a good time to branch out on her own.

“I decided to open my own dance studio because I felt strongly about promoting confidence, hard work and positivity,” she said. “If my dancers are confident, then I know I’m doing my job. My staff is amazing. We all have cohesive teaching styles and values, which will allow the dancers to grow as they advance from class to class.”

Ahmann and several of her students’ parents remodeled the studio installing new sprung floors, marley and installing new ballet barres in the two rehearsal rooms and new tumbling mats. The facility also has a dressing room and an office suite.

Ahmann is joined by fellow instructors Annie Deutz, Mackenzie Vogt and Alyssa Ahmann (Breanna’s sister). The four plan to offer classes to suit everybody regardless of age, ability or interest.

“We have adult ballet and tap classes,” Ahmann said. “We even have a class for 2- to 3-years-olds during the adult ballet class on Thursdays from 10-10:45 a.m. I think it is a great opportunity for moms and toddlers to get out of the house and get active. Mackenzie is particularly good with children. She has the patience for it.”

Deutz will be teaching dance fusion for adults on Mondays from noon-1 p.m. in addition to those listed on the website, like ballet technique, jazz, lyrical, modern, tap, pointe, tumbling, hip hop, jumps and turns and strength and conditioning and flexibility training. Registration can be done online at marshallacademyofdance.com.

“Even adults will get to explore different styles of dance,” Ahmann said. “It’s a great way to take advantage of your lunch break.”

To introduce her new studio to the community, Ahmann is planning an open house from 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25. Interested parties may come take a tour or contact Ahmann at marshallacademyofdance.com to arrange an appointment on a different day or time.

“I wouldn’t be here without my amazing family and the support from the dance community,” Ahmann said. “I couldn’t have done it without the parent volunteers that helped me with the renovations.”