About Us
Our History |
Founded in 1991 by Molly Koon Quist, the Dance Centre of Knoxville was originally located off of Western Avenue in Knoxville, but it's doors closed in 2017 to form one large company at the Oak Ridge location. The studio in Oak Ridge was opened in 1994. It is a 4,300 square foot facility on East Division Road, with 3 studios (2 with floating wooden floors), and 14-foot ceilings with wall-sized mirrors.
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Each year hundreds of students take lessons in preschool ballet and tap, ballet, pointe, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, and musical theater in different technique levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced, and elite). Each students receives individualized attention in a class environment from one of several qualified staff instructors, as well as the opportunity to participate in master classes, seminars, and workshops presented by renowned guest artists. All students are given the option to participate in the annual spring recital held in May at the Pellissippi State Performing Arts Center.
DC Company |
The Dance Centre is also home to the DC Company, directed by Molly Quist and Katrina Rouse. It is comprised of three different dance companies who represent the studio at area performances and competitions at the regional and national levels.
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The requirements for participating in the company are rigorous to maintain a level of professionalism and eliteness; the members are required to attend all rehearsals and travel to competitions. Dancers are hand-picked each fall from the studio population to audition for any open slots. The DC Company performs and/or competes each year at Knoxville's Fantasy of Trees and a number of competitions such as: Legacy Dance Championships, EPIC, Artistry Dance Invitational (optional), 24Seven Dance Convention, NYCDA (optional), and Platinum Dance Regionals and Nationals. The company has won numerous awards throughout the years at both Regional and National competitions.
Oak Ridge
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ORCBA is a regional ballet company that holds open auditions for all area dancers. A non-profit organization, ORCBA boasts the oldest dance charter in the state of Tennessee. Many professional dancers have graced teh stage with ORCBA's local dancers in two annual shows, including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Paquita, Cinderella, Giselle, Peter and the Wolf, The Tales of Hans Christian Anderson, Les Sylphides, La Bayadare, and Sleeping Beauty.
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ORCBA has had many directors throughout the years, including Suzanne Skeel, Joan Kunsch, Leslie Swazee, Steve McBride, Anna Marie Holmes, David Holmes, Greg and Julie Larson, and Eda Krasova. Molly Koon Quist took over as Director in 1997 and has been assisted by Sharon Nicklow Cousins, Katrina Quist Rouse, and Sarah Jett Shah for the past few years.