By BRAD GASKINS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – A dance studio will open next month and offer a variety of classes for kids and adults.

Classes begin Sept. 6 at Columbiana Dance Studio, located at 102 Mildred Street.

Elizabeth Smith, the studio’s owner, moved to Columbiana about three years ago with her husband. Smith owns Calera Dance Studio and said people in Columbiana often asked her when she would open a studio here.

“When the building here (in Columbiana) became vacant, I looked at it and the rest is history,” she said. “The building was perfect and the timing was good.”

For ages 2-18, classes include ballet, danceline, tumbling, jazz, tap, cheernastics, hip hop, and cheernastics and tumbling. Children must be potty trained.

Ballet, Pilates, yoga and Zumba classes are offered for ages 16 through adults.

Smith said she’s received positive feedback from the community. She will serve as an instructor, along with Kerri Gaut and others.

“We’re really excited about coming to Columbiana,” Smith said. “We’re hoping this will add another activity for the children and young people here.”

Smith has been dancing since age 5. She studied with the Birmingham Southern College Dance Department, Alabama Ballet, Montgomery Ballet, Adalusia Ballet and the Paris Ballet. She was accepted to the Alabama School of Fine Arts at age 12 and later accepted to the Joffrey Ballet in New York.

For more information, visit Columbianadance.com or call 690-0595.