Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy Penney.
Hi Stacy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been a dance mom for many years, fully immersed in the dance world through competitions, rehearsals, and recitals alongside my daughter. That experience gave me a deep appreciation not just for the dancers, but for the parents-especially the moms who do so much behind the scenes. I never quite found a studio that truly supported or valued that side of the journey. When I had the opportunity to hire an incredible dance director, I decided to take the leap and start my own studio. Using my strong organizational skills, and a genuine heart for performers and their families, I created Elevé to be more than just a place to dance—it’s a community where students and families feel seen, supported, and inspired.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road, starting a business never is, but I’ve been very fortunate in some key areas. I’ve been lucky to find incredible teachers who not only bring experience and talent, but also heart, and that has made a huge difference. I’ve also been blessed with supportive landlords who truly care about small businesses, which isn’t something I take for granted. One of our biggest challenges was timing. We didn’t open at the ideal time of year for enrollment, which has impacted our first season. That said, we were incredibly grateful to have some amazing families who believed in us and came with us when we opened. Their trust and support meant everything and helped us build a strong foundation. We’ are optimistic that season two will be much stronger in terms of enrollment and growth.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We offer dance education for young children through adults, teaching a wide range of genres and providing both recreational classes and competitive team opportunities. Our focus is on strong training, age-appropriate development, and helping each dancer grow with confidence, whether they’re dancing for fun or pursuing competition.
What I’m most proud of is the trust families placed in me from the very beginning. Having families with talented dancers choose to start this journey with us meant everything.
What truly sets us apart is that we are parent-owned. I’ve lived this life as a dance mom, and because of that, I intentionally created a studio where parents feel heard, respected, and supported. I always want a parent to know they can come to me with anything, because that hasn’t always been my experience at studios my own daughter attended, and I wanted to do better.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The Mansfield and Venus area is growing incredibly fast. While the growth does come with challenges like traffic, the positive is that so many new families are moving in—and many of them have children who want to dance, which is exciting to see.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elevedancecompany.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleve.dancecompany
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevedanceco
