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| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Mdm. Alexandra Trovanova |
| Manager | Desiree DeVilliers |
| Location | Deep Ellum |
| Status | Open for business |
| Hours of Operation | Tue-Fri: 8am-6pm Tue & Wed: Ballroom 7pm-9pm Sat: 9am-3pm Private Lessons Available Closed Sun & Mon |
QUOTES
"Art is the desire of a man to express himself, to record the reactions of his personality to the world he lives in." — Amy Lowell
"Dance is the loftiest, the most moving, the most beautiful of the arts, because it is no mere translation or abstraction from life; it is life itself." — Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life
"Dance is the hidden language of the soul." — Martha Graham, New York Times: 1985
STUDIO DESCRIPTIONS
STUDIO
Two walls in Studio 10's lobby are painted dark red, and decorated with photographs and posters of past student recitals. The other two walls are large, plate glass windows: one overlooks the street, the other overlooks the studio. Two comfortable, white leather sofas are set at 90-degree angles, with a large bamboo plant in the corner between them. Hanging baskets of spider plants add more soft green to the lobby. The floor is carpeted in black, with dark red accent rugs. A coffee table in front of one couch is covered with dance-related magazines.
Through a glass door is the dance studio itself. Mirrors line two of the walls, while another is floor to ceiling windows overlooking oak trees. On the mirrored walls are two sets of wooden barres, one set at the perfect height for younger students. The second is more suitable for older dancers. A state of the art sound system sits on glass enclosed shelves, with a myriad of music CDs (classical ballet to salsa). Two separate dressing rooms open off the eastern end of the studio, bracketed by two wooden doors. One is marked "Office," while the second is designated as "Private," and opens onto a set of stairs leading up to the second floor apartment.
OFFICE
The office is likewise decorated in shades of creamy white and dark red. On one wall hang certificates and photographs of the studio instructors, while on another is a stylized painting of a dancer. The only window is covered by drapes the same red as the opposite wall, and is shaded by one of the few live oaks left in this part of town. A sleek, wooden L-shaped desk has a computer for keeping of student and business records. Sharing the desk is a combination phone and fax-machine, a lamp and the obligatory "in" and "out" trays. Behind the desk are matching filing cabinets with an attractive flower arragement centered in front of the window.
Two black leather chairs sit in front of the desk, and a tall, black executive chair sits behind it. Parquet wood covers the floor, a dark red Oriental rug beneath the furniture. Beside the door is a small refrigerator with a coffee-maker, stirrers, sugar packets and containers of cream on top. All in all, a very pleasantly appointed office for handling Studio 10 business.
HISTORY
Studio 10 is the brainchild of Madam Alexandra Trovanova, begun after she defected to the United States in June of 1964. A member of the Mariinsky Ballet on tour in the U.S., the 30-year old was in Washington, D.C., when she sought political asylum. Six years later, the former Ukranian ballerina became a naturalized citizen and took residence in Dallas. Deciding to do something she knew and enjoyed, Alexandra found a place near the Golden Theater in Deep Ellum, and opened a dance academy.
Originally built in the 1940s, the one-story building was in need of repairs and renovation before Madame Trovanova's school could open. The first classes began in the fall of 1971, with six students. In the early 80s, the studio expanded when Alexandra bought the two-story building next door. A wall between the two buildings was knocked down on the first floor, and the second floor became an apartment where Madame Trovanova lived until her retirement in 2002.
Today, Studio 10 is one of the premier dance academies in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, offering classes in ballet, tap, modern jazz, acrobatics and ballroom dancing to both children and adults. There are five instructors, all former students at Studio 10. The manager is Desiree DeVilliers, veteran dancer, actress and model. Semesters run four months, with a recital and graduation at the end of each term. For more information, please call or stop by the school.
EMPLOYEES
| Employee | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra Trovanova (NPC) | Retired Founder | Former co-owner with Desiree. She recently sold her half of the business. |
| Desiree DeVilliers | Co-Owner & Manager | Instructor: Ballet, Acrobatics, Jazz, Tap & Ballroom Dancing. The visible partner in Studio 10. |
GALLERY
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GALLERY PICTURE INFO
| Number | Subject | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| One | Office | Front office and desk. Photograph taken from the office doorway. Window not seen. |
| Two | Painting | A painting by Chris Channing hanging in the office. Channing is a local artist with a following. |
| Three | East Studio. | Photograph taken from the west end of the studio. Windows at right allow for natural light. |
| Four | West Studio | Photograph taken from the east end of the studio. Area is used for ballroom dancing classes. |
| Five | Wall Mural | An original wall mural in the west studio. Also by Chris Channing. |
| Six | Lobby | Lobby area of Studio 10. Not seen are plate glass windows overlooking the studio. |
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