In this heartfelt episode of Step Up Your Studio, we sit down with Gaynelle Costner, founder of First Class Dance Studio in Temple Hills, Maryland. Gaynelle shares how a spontaneous opportunity at age 13 ignited a lifelong passion for teaching—and how a single mailed letter helped her register 98 dancers on day one of her now 27-year-old studio.

Gaynelle opens up about:

• Transitioning from assistant teacher to studio owner
• Taking smart, steady growth steps without stretching her community too far
• Building her team by hiring former students she mentored
• Leading with compassion, especially when families face financial hardship
• Why she invests in continued education—for herself and her staff

Resources & CTA:

Explore the tools and training Gaynelle uses to grow her studio and support her team— 👉 Visit DanceTeacherWeb.com to level up your teaching and business strategy.

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