BY STACEY MATHIAS-GEER
Extreme Dance Studio in Coniston will be a flurry of movement
when it opens its door for its fifth season this September .
The dance studio has expanded over the summer moving from
its former William Ave. location to its new home at 47 Caruso
St.
 "We've practically quadrupled in size," said owner,
Amanda Tessier.
The new school is 13,000 square feet and boasts two, large,
mirrored studios, airy change rooms, and ample storage for the
inevitable overflow of costumes.  The larger space means
Tessier  can not only accommodate a larger number of
students, but also offer a broader selection of classes.
In addition to a full array of dance lessons ranging from
hip hop, b-bop, jazz, acrobatics, ballet, tap, pre dance,
modern, and lyrical, Tessier has added several programs
designed to appeal to a wider audience.
"We now have martial arts which both kids and adults can do
together," she said. 
And she now offers gymnastics, and is planning to implement
classes in yoga and ballroom dance.
"There is something for everyone," she said, adding children
as young as three can enrol.
In addition to expanding the studio's repertoire of regular
classes, Tessier also plans to start hosting monthly teen
dances.
"The facility is good for the community," she said. "The
kids have somewhere to go, where they can meet new faces and
learn new skills, where they can stay healthy, and stay
active."
Tessier, who is just 25 years old, was this year's winner of
the Ontera Youth Achievement Award's Northern Ontario Heritage
Fund Corporation Business Award.  She credits her parents
who have "always been behind her 100 percent."
 Her primary focus and passion is dance, and owning and
running Extreme Dance Studio has been a realization of a life
long dream. 
"I started dancing when I was four, and I've always really
looked up to my dance teachers. I always wanted to be a dancer
and a dance teacher, I could never imagine doing anything
else."
Tessier offers both recreational and competitive classes in her
dance program and many of her students have won awards,
scholarships, as well as recognition on the stage. Tessier's
eyes visibly light up when she speaks proudly of how well many
of her dancers have progressed since the school first opened in
the fall of 2002.
"All of my dancers came in with absolutely no dance
training."
Registration for classes will take place from Aug. 26 to 28,
from 5 to 8 pm.
For more information, phone  694-7341.
