Your child can experience the magic and art of dance while developing important life skills at Tutu School, opening in October in Strongsville
By Laura Briedis
Becoming a parent changes everything. For Katie and Grant Dettling, it put them on a different career trajectory. As professional dancers, they have traveled the country landing many lead roles in classic and contemporary ballets. Their current role as parents inspired them to open Tutu School in Fairlawn three years ago and now in Strongsville, coming this fall in October.
More than just offering a creative outlet, this dance studio provides a place where kids can be, well, kids. Whether dressing up in tutus or capes or learning to twirl in weekly classes, children ages 18 months to 8 years learn important developmental and social skills through fun activities.
The focus here is on developing skills and having a positive experience—not on competition or recitals. There is a Bravo Bash, which is a mini recital that serves as a low-key introduction to the stage, held in winter and spring at this boutique dance studio. The staff also introduces other educational components, such as the French language and story time featuring classic ballet repertoires.
“We are expanding to Strongsville because this family-friendly town is a perfect fit with our business model,” says Katie. “Our staff loves teaching and is excited to grow and help introduce more children to the joy of dance.”
A stark contrast to many of the other large dance studios in warehouse-type buildings, Tutu School is designed to be a more intimate, cozy place with a magical environment. And unlike most ballet schools in which you register in the fall and are committed for nine months, Tutu School offers monthly memberships so you can join anytime as registration is always ongoing.
“We believe every child should know what it feels like to dance,” says Katie, who studied at the Washington School of Ballet in D.C. “A child’s imagination benefits immensely from exploring the enchanted worlds of swans and sugar plums, and twirling should be a fundamental part of any childhood.”
Growing up in West Akron, Katie started dancing at age 5 and it has always been a part of her life. It’s how she met Grant, who grew up in Spokane, Washington, and attended the prestigious School of American Ballet. When their son was born in 2017, they left New York City to move back to Akron to be near family and enjoy a kinder pace of life. Since then, the couple has also welcomed a daughter to their family so they have two children under the age of 6 at home and can relate to other families balancing work and family.
“Now that we are parents, we look at dance from a new perspective as something that is so much fun and so uplifting,” says Grant.
Special Events
The Tutu School hosts special events throughout the year at its Strongsville and Fairlawn studios.
• Holiday Camps: During school break this winter, Tutu School will offer mini camps for children. No ballet experience needed. These fun camps include dance, crafts, snacks and movement games.
• Birthday Parties: Looking for a unique way to celebrate your little one’s birthday? Let them twirl and dance their way to a celebration like no other. Invite up to 10 guests to partake in a brief ballet class, a special birthday story featuring the guest of honor, a craft and a cupcake picnic. The children will have a ball dressing up in tutus and capes.
For more details, check out TutuSchool.com/Strongsville.
Tutu School Strongsville is located at 12210 Pearl Road in Strongsville. For more information, call 234-678-6776 or visit TutuSchool.com/Strongsville.