Dance studio grows from humble beginnings

In the 37 years since opening her dance school, Carol Ehler has seen things come full circle, from the growth in the surrounding area to the flow of students at the studio. The family-oriented school opened in 1976, and Ehler has seen hundreds of students come through the doors, several of whom now work for her studio.

"My true goal, and what I like emphasizing, is teaching the love of dance," Ehler said. "We're not worried about winning a trophy. We teach the children not only dance, but respect."

Ehler offers ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop and pre-drill team classes at the school, and classes are held every weekday afternoon and evening for school-age students and during the day for younger children.

Ehler has been dancing since she turned 6 years old, following in the footsteps of her two older sisters who also had the opportunity to take lessons.

"They took two years of dancing, and then I got to take two years," she said. "When I got through, I wanted to keep doing it."

Ehler grew up in Katy and took lessons through high school at a dance studio in Spring Branch. She earned a college scholarship for dance and attended Sam Houston State University for her degree in elementary education, which she used her first year out of college when she opened her own studio.

She opened the dance studio off Hwy. 6 in the Bear Creek area the year after graduating, and she began with 100 students.

She moved the studio to the Copperfield area after 20 years, and she has been located in the same building for 10 years at FM 529 and Glen Chase Drive, having witnessed most of the growth in the area first-hand.

"There was still Wolf Corner at FM 529 and Hwy. 6 when I opened up down in Bear Creek in 1976," Ehler said. "I've watched the area completely grow and come up."

In addition to the traditional forms of dance such as ballet and jazz, Ehler recently started offering a hip hop class at the dance school.

"We started a new program for 5, 6 and 7 year olds for hip hop, and it's just been a big hit," Ehler said. "It's not as technical; it's more just about fun movements and rhythm and the kids seem to love it."

All of the studios at Carol Ehler Dance School have open viewing windows, which gives parents the opportunity to watch their children during their weekly class.

"I feel it's important that the parents are able to see what they do on a weekly basis, because every child is different, and they have moods just like we do," Ehler said. "I like for them to see how we interact with the children."

Annual recital

Every other year, students at Carol Ehler Dance School participate in a large recital every other year that features a theme and costumes.

"The recitals are quite big productions," Ehler said. "The kids all know about it, and it's something special for them to look forward to."

Last year's recital featured a circus theme, with the dances and costumes revolving around the theme.

During the years there is no main recital, the studio still hosts a smaller performance at the end of the year at an area school on stage in matching leotards called the class demonstration.

"It's nice, it still gives them the opportunity to get up and perform," Ehler said.

Carol Ehler Dance School

5525 Glen Chase Drive

Houston 281-463-8522

www.carolehlerdanceschool.com

Hours: Mon.–Fri. 4:30–9:30 p.m.,

Wed.–Fri: 9:30 a.m.–noon