Business Details
46 Years
experience
Your Premier Dance School in Manchester, MO
Briscuso Dance Studio has been nurturing confident dancers and fostering life skills since 1980. Founded by Judy Briscuso in her basement, our family-oriented culture remains central to our mission of combining technical excellence with character development. Our professional instructors emphasize age-appropriate curriculum while cultivating dedication, work ethic, and self-esteem. With three generations of students returning to experience our unique approach, we maintain a legacy of producing both exceptional dancers and compassionate individuals.Our 45-year history in St. Louis includes multiple location expansions while preserving the close-knit community that defines our studio. Our team of experienced educators, including second-generation owner Julie Briscuso DeYoung, continues to prioritize holistic development through dance education. We offer comprehensive programs from early childhood classes to competitive teams, ensuring every student receives personalized attention in a positive environment.
Services
Dance Classes
Competition Team
Birthday Parties
Summer Intensives
Gemstone Ballet Program
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We've nurtured dancers for 45 years with proven teaching methods
- Our instructors combine professional dance experience with education expertise
- We maintain a 3:1 student-teacher ratio for personalized attention
- Our competition teams have earned multiple national championships
- We emphasize character development alongside technical proficiency
Services
Dance Classes
Our comprehensive dance classes combine technical training with character development for students aged 3+. Professional instructors teach ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary styles using age-appropriate curriculum. Each class emphasizes proper technique while fostering confidence, teamwork, and creative expression in a supportive environment.
Competition Team
Our award-winning competition teams provide advanced training for dedicated dancers. Members receive specialized coaching in choreography, performance techniques, and artistic expression. The program emphasizes growth mindset and teamwork while preparing for regional and national competitions, with multiple championship titles to our credit.
Birthday Parties
Customizable dance-themed birthday parties include one hour of instruction and 30 minutes of celebration time. Our staff handles setup and cleanup while providing themed dance activities, games, and a special choreography session. Parties accommodate up to 15 children with optional princess meet-and-greet add-ons available.
Summer Intensives
Our summer intensive programs offer focused training during school breaks. Participants receive advanced technique instruction, choreography workshops, and performance preparation. The curriculum includes ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles with guest instructors and master classes to enhance technical development.
Gemstone Ballet Program
The Gemstone Ballet Program provides structured classical ballet training with progressive levels. Students develop proper technique through pointe work, barre exercises, and performance pieces. The program includes annual showcases and special coaching sessions with award-winning instructors to prepare dancers for advanced ballet opportunities.
People
Julie Briscuso DeYoung
Owner and Teacher
Julie has taught dance for 30+ years, taking over the studio in 2015. She specializes in ballet, tap, and jazz while focusing on developing well-rounded students. Her teaching methods combine secondary education expertise with family dance tradition.
Judy Briscuso
Founder
With 50+ years of dance experience, Judy established the studio in 1980. She continues teaching the annual VIP dance while mentoring instructors. Her approach combines technical excellence with character development shaped through decades of community teaching.
Amber Lewis
Competition Team Director
Amber brings 25+ years of teaching experience and multiple regional choreography awards. She directs the competition team while coaching national champions. Her expertise spans ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles with a focus on technical precision.
Ashley Hardaway
Acrobatics Program Director
Ashley specializes in acrobatics and tumbling instruction with 12 years of competitive coaching experience. She choreographs competition routines while teaching recreational classes. Her background includes competitive cheerleading and gymnastics coaching.
Marissa Hackerson
Gemstone Jazz Director
Marissa has 12+ years of teaching experience and danced professionally at Six Flags. She combines psychology expertise with dance instruction. Her focus areas include jazz, hip hop, and musical theatre styles for competitive and recreational students.
Questions
What dance styles do you offer?
We offer ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, acrobatics, and musical theatre classes for ages 3+.
Do you have a recital?
Yes! Our annual recital features all students in professionally produced performances at Fox High School's Rickman Auditorium.
What competition opportunities exist?
Our award-winning competition teams participate in 6-8 regional and national events annually, with multiple championship titles.
Are there birthday party options?
Yes! We offer customizable dance-themed parties with instruction, games, and celebration time for ages 3-15.
What makes your studio unique?
Our family-oriented culture combines technical excellence with character development, creating a 3:1 student-teacher ratio and multi-generational community.
Do you offer summer programs?
Yes! Our summer intensives provide focused training in ballet, jazz, and contemporary styles with guest instructors and master classes.
Reviews (3)
Kerncow
Nov 28, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
My daughter loves her teacher and the studio is clean, professional and very well organized. The studio and the instructors are wonderful with their communication to parents and students too! The costumes are adorable and reasonably priced! I highly recommend you sign up your child at Briscuso Dance Studio!
My daughter loves her teacher and the studio is clean, professional and very well organized. The studio and the instructors are wonderful with their communication to parents and students too! The costumes are adorable and reasonably priced! I highly recommend you sign up your child at Briscuso Dance Studio!
Faith Cooney
Oct 11, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
Graduating here last year and miss it everyday. Home
Graduating here last year and miss it everyday. Home
Amy Verkamp-McArthy
Jul 20, 2020
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My daughter loves dance classes at Briscuso! Attending classes and trying out and making the competition team has really helped her break out of her shell and become so much more confident. She absolutely loves her teachers, and the new friends she has made. Cant say enough good things about this studio!
