A new dance studio has opened in downtown Hermiston.
Industry Dance Co., 182 E. Main St., hosted an open house Tuesday, Dec. 17, and will start its short season Jan. 6.
Co-owners Ashley Seibel and Vanessa Stackhouse are offering a range of classes, including ballet, jazz, contemporary creative movement, and hip-hop.
“Vanessa and I have both been deeply rooted in the dance community for years,” Seibel said. “We both share a profound respect and love for dance and the young dancers in our community.”
The studio combines rigorous training, structure and technique with courses focused on creativity, exploration and self-expression.
“Each style plays a vital part in a dancer’s development,” Seibel said. “A diverse dance education creates a well-rounded dancer which sets them up for success in their future endeavors, should they decide to pursue collegiate or professional dance careers.”
The studio has nine faculty members, each selected for their expertise, professionalism and commitment to the dance company’s culture.
Classes range from beginner to advanced level, offering courses to children as young as 12 months for parent-toddler, creative movement classes for 3-and-4-year-olds and a variety of styles for recreational students ages 5-6, 7-9, and 9 and older.
Competitive-level classes will be based on readiness, not strictly age.
Seibel, who has taught and coached dance in the Hermiston community for more than 20 years, was the head coach for the Hermiston High School Dance Team in 2010. Under her leadership, the team won third at the Oregon state championship in just her second year. The following year, the Oregon Dance and Drill Association awarded her the 5A coach of the year.
“I think the best part of teaching is observing growth, success and the small but significant wins along the way,” Seibel said. “Seeing kids’ eyes light up when they learn a new skill or hit a new goal is profoundly special.”
In 2019, Seibel’s HHS team clinched a state championship in Washington. After a short hiatus to work as a consultant for other high school dance and cheer programs across the state of Oregon and Washington, Seibel returned in 2021 as an assistant coach with HHS Dance and helped guide the team to six more state titles.
Stackhouse grew up dancing at the age of 3 in Prineville at High Desert Arts, where she learned tap, ballet and jazz until she was 14.
Stackhouse said she found her passion in volleyball but dance created a work ethic that gave her an advantage in other sports, motherhood and the workforce. For the past five years, Stackhouse has worked as a radiologic technologist at CHI St. Anthony’s Hospital.
“I am super excited for us to provide a positive and uplifting environment for the youth in our community,” Stackhouse said. “We intend for Industry to be a place where we focus on excellence in all that we do, from clear and organized parent communication to the actual youth dance experience. This is a place where all are welcome, kids are free to be who they are and express themselves through the art of dance.”
The studio also offers an adaptive dance class called “shine” for students of all abilities.
“We believe everyone deserves to dance and everyone deserves to shine,” Seibel said.
Funding for the dance studio came partially from the co-founders personal savings and a loan from the Umatilla Electric Cooperative Business Resource Center.
Industry Dance Co. classes start at $65 per month, with each course meeting once a week for an hour. Discounts are offered to students who take three or more classes, as well as for siblings.
The studio is open to registered students Monday through Thursday, with drop-in classes available Fridays and Saturdays.
Registration is available online www.danceatindustry.com, where dance aficionados can sign up to classes and technique courses and parents can access a portal for updates.
