Our Purpose

Hi there! I’m Kimberly Stafford — but to my dancers, I’m simply Ms. Kim.

Like many of you, I grew up in the studio. I started dancing at a young age (mainly because dancing on the furniture at home was no longer acceptable!). I quickly fell in love with the structure, the consistency, and the joy that came with learning something new. The funky expression of jazz and tap paired with the discipline of ballet gave me a well-rounded and fulfilling experience.

As a child who moved frequently — from Chicago to Los Angeles to Atlanta — the dance studio became my constant. No matter where we landed, the steps were familiar, the friendships came quickly, and the studio always felt like home.

My love for teaching began unexpectedly in college, when I helped choreograph a performance following the events of 9/11. I discovered the power of storytelling through movement — and even more, the deep fulfillment that came from sharing that experience with others. That spark led me from performing to pursuing dance education full-time.

Over the last 20 years, I’ve taught everything from college-level choreography to early childhood creative movement — but my heart truly lies with the littlest dancers. I specialize in creating magical, meaningful first dance experiences. From building foundational skills to sparking imagination, my goal is to make every class joyful, engaging, and confidence-boosting.

I’ve worn many hats in the studio world — teacher, curriculum writer, company director, mentor — and I’ve loved every step. I’ve created performance companies, written teacher training materials, led community outreach efforts, and supported new instructors in finding their own voice in the classroom.

In 2020, I launched “Ms. Kim’s 15 Minute Recess,” an online movement program that brought joy and energy into living rooms during lockdown. That little idea has grown into something much bigger — and now, I’m proud to be growing my own program, expanding class offerings, and creating new spaces for dancers to thrive.

Outside the studio, I’m a wife, a homeschooling mom of two awesome boys (ages 16 & 10), and a big fan of hanging out in the mountains, shopping, Avengers movie marathons, and pretending I know what I’m doing in Pokémon battles.

Whether you’re just starting your dancer’s journey or you’ve been along for the ride for a while, I can’t wait to share the joy of dance with your family. Let’s make magic — one plié, one jazz hand, and one bubble wand at a time.