Dance Collective celebrates new location

FAIRFIELD — The Iowa Dance Collective welcomes the community to check out their new location on Fairfield’s historic town square with a grand opening event this Friday.

At the beginning of March, the performing arts schools announced their plans to move.

After a successful first year in business, Owner and Artistic Director Tyler Malone said, “our program grew so quickly that we kind of outgrew our original location and as opportunities arose, we worked with our landlord and were able to acquire a new bigger space.”

“We are looking forward to joining the other business on the square that help make our small town so unique,” the collective stated on its Facebook page.

After a brief break from classes during the move, the Collective reopened for classes at 56 E. Burlington Ave. on March 13.

“We are SO in love with our new space!” The collective posted to its social media page.

“We have two beautiful dance studios, a dedicated third studio for acting and music — as well as an expansive lobby for all to enjoy,” they described their new space. “As we develop our programming to serve the entire community, we wanted to create a space that all feel welcome and safe.”

In celebration of the move and their success in their first year, they will hold a Grand Opening, this Friday during the Fairfield First Friday Artwalk.

“Now that we’re really on the square, we want to really start being involved in the Art Walk,” Malone said.

“We are going to have a lot of activities for the kids,” he explained. “We will have all of our acro stuff out and they can come and play for as long as they want.”

The grand opening will consist of a ribbon cutting at noon and a party beginning at 5 p.m.

Keeping with the nature of the Collective, the party will offer a dance party, open gym acro class, coloring contest, face painting, snacks, and refreshments.

“Anyone that signs up for classes during this event will get a waived registration fee,” Malone added. “It is a great opportunity to get people in to see what kind of classes we have and ask any questions and see what kind of programing we have that is right for them.”

According to their website, “Iowa Dance Collective is a dance studio and creative space that focuses on the highest caliber of training while allowing young artists to truly discover themselves.”

They encourage individuals of all skill levels to participate in a variety of classes including, Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Acro/Gymnastics, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Creative Movement, Improvisation, Adult Classes, Discover Dance, Tiny Music, and Private Lessons.

“We started out with just dance classes and as the community reached out to me for what else was desired, we introduced a music program and an acting program,” Malone said. “We turned from what was going to be a dance studio to a full performing arts school.”

Additionally, the Collective now offers art classes for second-eighth grade students.

“Our visual art classes start this week,” Malone said. “We have visual art classes Thursday and Friday.”

“With an initial focus on drawing and painting, these classes will continue to grow and cover many areas of visual art,” The Collective describes.

The collective welcomes new staff Camille Morehead, a 2008 alumna of Maharishi School and Maharishi School Kindergarten-eighth grade art teacher since 2020, to their team as the art teacher for these classes.

According to a bio provided by the Collective, Morehead graduated in 2014 from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and is currently pursuing her Master of Fine Arts through Maharishi University.

For additional information on The Iowa Dance Collective visit their website, www.iowadancecollective.com call (319) 280-1262, or email tyler@iowadancecollective.com

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com