Starz Dance Studio has made some cha-cha changes.

 

The local dance studio, located at 12900 1st Street in Becker, is under new ownership as of last month as former owner, Ann Johnson, pirouettes into retirement.

 

Jenn Shaw — a protegé of Johnsons for the last 15 years — has taken over the day-to-day runnings of the business and promises to keep things status quo.

 

“Ann has done such a great job building and growing this studio that it doesn’t make sense to disrupt that success,” said Shaw. “We added a younger competition group called the Rising Starz, but we’ve kept everything else pretty much the same.”

Including her staff. 

 

Shaw has retained Gretchen Moos as her competition coordinator and instructor and Jody Lechner-Roepke as assistant director and instructor. Anna Duff Long — another instructor at the studio under Johnson — has left to study at Minnesota State-Mankato.

 

Shaw has also landed several former Starz Dance Studio students to help with teaching including Kaitlin Kolbinger, Amanda Bell, Kaitlin Graning and Kaitie Suckert.

 

Shaw admits she doesn’t have a background in dance and what she has learned has come from her years of showing up for practices and competitions for her daughters who have taken dance. But that doesn’t mean she can’t make her new line of work, work.

 

“I have a business degree and a masters in accounting,” Shaw said. “I’ve had a day care business for 11 years and have run a successful restaurant with four other co-owners for the last couple years.”

 

That restaurant — ElmerZ Restaurant/Event Centre in Sauk Centre — is a popular gathering place for travelers, sportsmen and community patrons and is located at 1225 Timberlane Drive in Sauk Centre.

 

“Elmer” was Jenn’s grandpa.

 

“I heard through the grapevine that Ann (Johnson) was considering selling the studio a couple years ago,” said Jenn. “So we thought about it as a family and decided to make an offer. Ann said she was looking for the right person, so I guess it all worked out.”

 

Johnson started Starz Dance Studio in 1996 along with her husband Mike. She has been involved in the entertainment field for over 30 years. Her background is she has played many roles in theater and musical productions as an actress, dancer, singer and choreographer. 

 

All Johnson’s knowledge, methods and skills are  being passed on to the studio’s new leaders and Shaw plans to use Johnson’s techniques, timing and teamwork to continue its integrity and traditions.

 

“This studio has been successful because of Ann, the current and former teachers and the passion and involvement each has demonstrated,” said Shaw.

 

“It’s been an easy transition. Ann left me with an awesome list of how things get done and left me with a very good base.”

 

Starz Dance Studio will be holding two Open Houses this month — one on Aug. 17 and the other on Aug. 26. Both events start at 5:30 p.m. Registrations are taken by mail or contact Jenn on the Starz Dance Studio website (www.beckerstarz.com).

 

Jenn, 39 is married to Matt, 42, and they have five children — Mia (19), Caitlyn (16), Kristen (15), Adam (11) and Amber (8). They reside in Big Lake.