Legacy Dance Studio attributes their students’ success to family atmosphere

OREM, Utah – When they opened their doors 11 years ago, the owners of Legacy Dance Studio knew they needed to work hard to compete with the dozens of other studios in Utah.

“We started out in the basement, no the garage,” Julia Peñate, owner of Legacy Dance Studio laughed.

Peñate says the studio offers a competitive program to dancers of all skill levels, ages 2 to 18. She says the studio offers jazz, ballet, hip hop, and ballroom classes, just to name a few.

“We really try to unite the dancers and have a family environment where everyone feels comfortable and forms friendships that last years — a lifetime even,” Peñate said.

Peñate said no matter their passion, she wants all of her dancers to be trained in various dance styles.

“Some students just dance for fun and for recreational programs, other students have longer goals where they want to be professional dancers or maybe commercial dancers,” she said. “They just have to push themselves wherever their dreams take them.”

She said that support was something her son, Andres, a “World of Dance” contestant, always received as he trained throughout the years. It is something, she said, is now on full display when Andres and his partner, Charity compete on the national competition.

“We are still on cloud nine,” she said. “We just can’t believe how well they’ve done, and it’s just been exciting to see it week to week.”

“World of Dance” airs on KSL Tuesday nights from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.