Our Mission
To raise up the next generation of performers and choreographers by providing excellent dance instruction and developing original, faith-based productions to inspire and encourage the local community.
Our Vision
Our Studio
Currently, we turn a classroom into our dance studio. We are so thankful for the students and their families who help us set up and tear down each night, and for the countless families who have donated all the equipment! We are saving to eventually open our own location, but are so grateful for this season!
Our Story
The Story of Our Name
Garden Dance, Inc. was named based on the principles found in John 15:1-9, in addition to the many other garden-based analogies described in the Bible. We will aim as individuals to abide in the vine that is Jesus (verse 3). We will root ourselves in His word as we tell His story. We will invite Him to be the gardener of our hearts that we might grow through His careful and loving pruning, shaping and nurturing. We will welcome every unique dancer with joy as every flower of the garden brings beauty in a new way. We will commit ourselves to the standards of excellence in dance just as a garden is cared for – taking our time and with great attention to detail. The instructors of Garden Dance, Inc. will recognize that God is sovereign over every season and that our cutbacks, growth and change are all in His hands, for His glory and for our good.
Our Uniquie Philosophy
The class methodology at Garden is unique. Our classes will focus, year round, on the technique of each style and not include a performance aspect. Choreography will be taught out of our workshops and production rehearsals. This means that students will not perform out of class time. This will help to ensure dancers are always receiving thorough dance training, even during peak show seasons.
The Journey
Written by Ruthie Voris (Executive Director)
Dance has been a huge part of my heart since I was a little girl. Beginning at age 4, I danced with a Christian ballet school in upstate New York. It was there that I discovered a deep, God-given passion for dance, storytelling and choreography.
Under the kind instruction of my mentor Susan Morse, and her team, I became determined to “be a mommy and a dance teacher,” just like her. I made business cards and put up a barre in my childhood bedroom – I was ready!
My dreams grew dramatically when I moved to Florida as a teenager and began taking dance with a Christian dance studio in Orlando. Under my mentor Noelle Romanacce and the other excellent instructors at that school, I was ushered into a much wider world of dance. I was thrilled to incorporate my many years’ experience in musical theater, and discovered a zeal for jazz, ballroom, lyrical, modern and contemporary dance. I performed in our recitals and at community events, dance competitions, nursing homes, dance conventions, and was brought on as a seasonal performer for the Holy Land Experience. My parents were incredible, making the way for me to dance 3-4 times a week over an hour away from our home.
My love for choreography rooted deeper in my soul with that studio, and I was given the opportunity to explore and challenge those skills further. Noelle, myself and several other dancers went on to develop a performance team, Proclaim 61, to raise awareness about human trafficking in Florida and abroad. We traveled to India to serve survivors of trafficking with dance therapy, and joined a stateside organization fighting trafficking by developing their dance performance arm, Set Free. Several of those dancers are on the board of Garden today.
During that season, I developed and taught 6 week dance camps in Brevard County. I introduced those students to a variety of styles of dance, and we enjoyed short recitals on a myriad of themes. I went on to direct the dance team at Set Free, while simultaneously going to college for nursing and eventually began working in Orlando as a postpartum nurse. My husband and I were married during that time as well!
In 2018, my world got beautifully turned upside down by the birth of my first child. I had already finished teaching dance camps to pursue my nursing career, Set Free was put on hold by that time, and I then chose to put everything on pause to be a stay at home mom. God in His kindness taught me much about trusting Him to bring along the desires He had placed in me, in the season He knew was best. (*John 15:16-17)
In 2020, I started my daughter at a local Christian dance studio, as I had no idea of starting my own until my kids were much older. God in His providence opened the door for me to teach there. It was a completely unexpected gift. I taught at that studio for 4 years, instructing students from toddler to adult in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, lyrical, and contemporary, and was brought on as the company coordinator. I was able to create and co-direct the studio’s first original production entitled “Good Samaritan.” Along with other studio choreographers, we told the story of the parable entirely through excellent dance and beautiful music, with students ranging in age from 5 to 16.
When that season came to a close and I stepped down from my position, I again began working to trust that the Lord would bring dance back into my life at just the right time. I imagined this would be a quiet season of patience once more.
Doors opened, the way forward rapidly showed itself and it became abundantly clear: it was time. It was time to finally step into the hope I had since I was a little girl with my business cards, ballet barres and big dreams.
Glory be to God for inspiring the generosity of my local church to offer an affordable space, for providing for my friends from childhood to now to be able to donate abundantly, and for giving such grace to my ever encouraging husband and kids (all four of them!) to get behind me in this endeavor. I thank God for the willingness of my wise and faith filled board members who have stepped up to lead this organization, and for the generosity of my friends and family members who have helped me develop the materials you see today.
2023-2024 has been a year of change, and I have felt the Lord so clearly impress upon me the principles of John 15: that He is the Gardener of our hearts. I was able to choreograph a piece to “Tend” by Emmy Rose in spring of 2024, and the words and movements that team brought to life have played over and over in my head in this season. As God brought our organization into being, this idea has become my heart’s cry and deepest prayer, hence giving us our name: Garden Dance, Inc. or simply “Garden.”
I pray that we will be willing soil, allowing our hearts, our skills and our organization to be gardened by God. In the planting, in the growth, in the replanting, in the pruning, we will remind each other that God is in control. We are the garden and He is the Gardener: this principle will forever remain at the forefront of our mission. We will hold it all with open hands, praising God and marveling at His kindness all the while.
Thank you for reading, thank you for praying, and thank you for joining us.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.” – John 15:16-17
Dance Classes Are Open!
Registration is open for Fall 2024 Dance classes and Workshops!
Our dance classes provide rigorous technical training every week, while our workshops focus on choreography for upcoming productions. This ensures that students not only receive exceptional instruction but also hone their performance skills as they prepare for the stage!
