Some people like to take a leisurely stroll along Broad Street in Grove City. But one business will have people pirouetting, tap dancing and tumbling along the street.

Kathleen Bazzano of Butler Township recently opened a dance studio and supply shop, Dance & Gym USA, in the downtown area after requests from customers at her Slippery Rock business, Dance & Cheer USA. She also has a 22-year-old dance business in Butler.

"I've been at Branchton Square at Slippery Rock for three years and people expressed a need for it in Grove City," she said. "I looked into it and found a really nice location downtown on Broad Street."

Fitting in with Grove City Revitalization Inc.'s plan to renovate the downtown area, Ms. Bazzano had the building painted and updated to fit her standards for dance.

"We have a floating floor (a wooden dance floor with moveable supports underneath it for give), mirrors and we're going to be bringing in a (dance) barre,'' she said. "We really cleaned up the building and set up the front as a store. I think it's important to fit in with the quaint area. It's a real attractive little town, and I think it has a lot of potential for growth."

Some of the dance supplies offered include dance outfits for "toddlers through teenagers in all the current styles," she said. "We'll be offering all the shoes they need in the fall, including jazz, tap, ballet and point shoes, gymnastic shoes, bags and accessories."

Classes which the studio will be offering in the fall include ballet, tap, jazz, modern and lyrical dance as well as cheerleading and gymnastics.

"There will be classes for pre-school through teenagers, for beginning to advanced levels," Ms. Bazzano said, noting she may offer some summer classes.

Besides growing her business, the dance instructor thinks it's important to see her students gain personal growth as well. That's why she doesn't allow any dictatorial-type of instruction in her classes.

"As a teacher, I feel it's a big responsibility to have kids be exposed to instructors who want to build their self-esteem as well as teach them professionally," she said. "They are growing and developing and they are all going to learn at a different rate. If you try to emphasize perfect technique and style over enjoyment it will make them negative.

"I try to motivate them with a positive outlook and this will carry over into everything they do. There is no reason that they should be yelled at. They are there to learn. It should be an enjoyable activity for them and the instructors."

Ms. Bazzano added with a laugh that the only time the students will hear yelling is when she gets carried away with excitement and enthusiasm.

She said that experience with a family business and excellent family support is why she has been successful in her business. She also cites her training, which includes a bachelor's of fine arts from Ohio University, a masters of fine arts from the University of Illinois, and experience with the American Academy of Ballet at Vassar College and the Civic Light Opera Academy of Musical Theatre, among others.

"What I wanted to do was pursue a dance career and work with children," Ms. Bazzano said. "I performed professionally for several years and taught on a college level for several years and got that out of my system. Now, I focus on the students."

The family support includes her brother Douglas Kleemann, who is in charge of gymnastics at her studios.

"He was a former Penn State all-around champion gymnast," she said, adding that all five of her brothers are "musical and extremely supportive."

She also said the support of the students' parents is phenomenal.

"They give me excellent family support. I couldn't do it without the family support. I can't say enough good things about the parents. They are enthusiastic at all the recitals and very proud of their kids."

Its also important to her to see the students learn and have fun.

"We hope to see that the kids enjoy what they are doing. I'm looking forward to a good recital to show people what they have done and develop classes on the level of what people want -- to have them learn and have a good time," she said.

The Grove City store is located at 131 S. Broad Street. It is open noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. In the fall, the dance studio will be open in the evening, in addition to the store hours. For more information, call 1 (888) 54DANCE or (724) 283-2803.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Sherris Moreira-Byers at sbyers@sharonherald.com

030401