Iowa Dance Collective to move into bigger space

FAIRFIELD – Change is in store for one of Fairfield’s premier dance studios, Iowa Dance Collective.

The business is moving this summer to 402 N. B St., previously home to the old Fairfield Market as well as iPhone Life Magazine and others. IDC’s owner Tyler Malone informed his clients of the impending move in January, writing in an email that IDC had outgrown its space on the south side of the Fairfield square.

“This exciting move comes with a complete renovation to create an almost 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art dance facility designed to inspire and support our growing community for years to come,” Malone wrote.

The building is being gutted to accommodate a fresh layout that will feature three studios, all two to three times larger than the three studios the business had at its Burlington Avenue location. The largest of these will be Studio A, which will have vaulted ceilings on the eastern half of the building surrounded by a balcony, a great place for private viewings or small showcases. Studio B will be for Levels I and II, on the western half of the upstairs, and will have great natural light. Studio C will be for acting and tap classes with a floor more suitable for tap dancing than the former building.

Malone said the plan is to open the new studio on July 7 for the Summer Dance Conservatory. When the studio holds its grand reopening this fall, it will come with expanded class offerings, 12-15 more than before. Malone said he wants to divide the current levels into A and B sections to better accommodate the performers’ abilities, and he’s hired a new ballet teacher, too, to meet the growing demand.

“We see a need in each age bracket,” he said. “This will allow us to curate to their skill level, and ensure each person can thrive.”

Malone said enrollment is already up compared to last year for this coming season, and Iowa Dance Collective now boasts about 150 participants. The studio’s success has turned it into a magnet for the performing arts, attracting students from northwest Iowa, and some who come from as far as Florida for its summer boarding program.