Steppin’ Time Dance Studio celebrates 30 years

For three decades, Steppin’ Time Dance Studio has been at the heart of Brandon’s dance community, nurturing young dancers and fostering a sense of family through the art of movement.

As the studio celebrates its 30th anniversary, owner Monique Roy-Keller reflects on the journey that began when she was just 20 years old, and how Steppin’ Time has grown from a small venture into a “beloved institution.”

Roy-Keller’s passion for dance began in childhood under the tutelage of Lois Hyndman. When Hyndman retired, she saw potential in her young student and encouraged her to take over teaching.

“She saw my love for dance and felt I could handle it,” Roy-Keller said.

From humble beginnings on 12th Street, where she taught just 50 students, she gradually expanded the business. After moving to a larger space in the Clock Tower Plaza, the studio continued to flourish. Fifteen years ago, she purchased the current building (132 9th St,) providing Steppin’ Time with a permanent home. Today, the studio boasts an enrolment of 500 students and has become a fixture in the local arts community.

That sense of family is evident in the staff, many of whom were once students at the studio.

“Two of my staff have been with me since I started,” Roy-Keller shared.

Kristen Yuel, now the assistant director, for example, started as a student and gradually took on more responsibility.

Running a dance studio comes with its challenges, and the COVID-19 pandemic presented one of the toughest.

“It was a tough time because there were so many restrictions that weren’t allowing for dance,” Roy-Keller recalled.

But through perseverance and the support of her faculty and community, Steppin’ Time emerged stronger than ever.

The studio offers classes for children as young as two-and-a-half, extending up to 18 years old. With a diverse array of dance styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and contemporary, students of all ages and skill levels can find a place to grow and express themselves.

Monique is also proud of the diversity within her dance community. She points out that the dance studio is open to everyone, regardless of background.

“Dance is like an international language,” she says. “We have students from all over the world, including Ukraine, China, Colombia, South Africa and more. It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak English — dance is visual, and that transcends language barriers.”

Tamara Hicks, a long-time instructor at Steppin’ Time, reflected on her 30-year journey with the studio.

“When my husband and I moved back to Brandon, I began teaching here, and Monique was a student of mine first,” she told the Sun. “Monique mentioned opening a studio, and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s terrific.’ She opened the studio on 12th Street, and from there it’s just grown.”

After working alongside Roy-Keller for three decades, Hicks values the studio’s supportive and respectful atmosphere.

“The strength of the studio is just being kind,” she explained. “Everyone treats each other with respect.

Brooke Webber, a ballet instructor who has been with the studio for 13 years, told the Sun she started with the studio as a student before she started work 13 years ago.

“I was a student here, and then Monique asked me to start teaching in 2012,” Webber said. “She’s always supported us in our endeavours to grow as teachers and expand the genres we offer. It’s inspiring.”

Webber, who teaches a variety of dance styles, including acrobatics, jazz, and tap, has witnessed significant growth in the abilities of Steppin’ Time’s students.

“The talent of our students is incredible,” she said. “When I started, I couldn’t imagine the level of skill our students have now. They’re so versatile and talented, able to do multiple genres of dance with precision and dedication.”

As for the next 30 years, Webber hopes the studio continues to push the envelope, adding the leadership is creative, and it is always striving to do something different: “We were the first to do a shadow show in the area, and recently we did a reimagined version of ‘The Nutcracker’ — those are the things that set us apart.”

One idea that excites Roy-Keller is the possibility of rebuilding a second floor in the studio’s historic building.

“The building is over 100 years old and originally had a second floor,” she said. “There was a fire years ago, and the floor was lost, but you never know — maybe someday!”

Looking ahead, Monique and her team are already planning their next show. After a successful run of ‘The Nutcracker’ in 2024, they’re preparing for an original production in 2027.

According to Roy-Keller, the key to the studio’s continued success isn’t just her vision but the collective effort of a dedicated team.

“It’s a team that gets the dance studio to run,” she said. “My mom has helped with my books since the beginning. She’s retiring after this year, but I’m so grateful for her support.”

In addition to her core faculty of 20 teachers, the studio also boasts 50 assistant teachers, ranging from ages 14 to 17. Many of these assistants are students who continue to work with the studio even after they graduate high school. This dedication to fostering a supportive environment and a strong community is what Monique believes sets the studio apart.

“I think the biggest thing is our faculty and the community support we receive. It’s word of mouth that helps us,” she said. “We’re always striving to improve and grow. We’re never comfortable — there’s always a way to do better.”

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