By NIVA DOROUGH / Community Columnist

This week’s spotlight is on a wonderful dance studio located at the corner of Shelby County 51 and Old Highway 280 in Westover.

The owner, Tiffeny Roberson, started her dance studio in September 2008 and was previously located on U.S. 280. She has been at this new location since July 2010.

Tiffeny said everyone in the community has been so nice, welcoming her business, and she appreciates the support of the mayor, town council and other business owners and residents. The studio is currently being remodeled and updated to accommodate as many classes as possible.

Tiffeny is enthusiastic about future growth at this new location. She has local students and some come from as far as Talladega and Childersburg areas.

The classes are open to age groups from 18 months to adult. She offers combination classes for tap, jazz and ballet. Ages 13 and up have character, hip hop and lyrical classes available.

A great fun dance, clogging, is available for ages 7 to adult and ,of course, the beautiful pointe ballet. A very popular Zumba class has been added and is held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and child care is offered on the premises.

Her scheduled hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 3:30-8 p.m. and Tiffeny said she is now offering open registration for the upcoming year 2011-2012.

Along with Tiffeny, who is the main instructor, is Dustin Seales who teaches hip hop, and Katie Alder who teaches ballet and Zumba. All of the instructors are certified by the Southern Association of Dance Masters.

Tiffeny said her class sizes are approximately 12 students per class, and for every additional five students they have an assistant. She said it is very important to be able to focus on individual instruction and give attention to each student.

The dance teams perform each year in local Christmas parades, and recently performed at the Mrs. Senior South Shelby County Pageant held in Westover and they also perform throughout the southeast at dance competitions.

The competition team is preparing to go to Nationals in Charleston, S.C. July 6- 10.

If you are looking for a dance instructor for yourself or your children, remember to check out your own hometown dance studio, it could be just the one you are looking for!

Niva Dorough can be reached at nivasinger@aol.com.