Lucille Rapp Dance Studio

Lucille Rapp Dance Studio has more than 70 years of history: Lucille Rapp began teaching dance in her basement in 1949 and held recitals in her backyard, later moving the growing school to its present location in downtown Kirkwood, in the St. Louis area. Her daughter Susie, a performer herself, took over the family business, and current director Vicky Stricker joined the teaching staff in 1983 before stepping up to run the studio. Classes are offered from beginner to advanced for ages 3 and up in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, acrobatics, hip hop, contemporary and modern. The studio says its teachers aim for a firm but supportive and encouraging environment, treating every dancer with kindness and respect regardless of age or experience, emphasizing each individual's growth and choosing songs, costumes and choreography that let children be children. All of its teachers grew up dancing, many of them at the studio itself. An annual recital and summer program are also offered.