Chris Collins Devotes Millions of Steps to a Legendary Dance Studio Marking 50 Years
Alexandria, VA – Chris Collins confesses he never had any doubt as to what he wanted to do when he grew up: the same thing he was doing at the age of 6 when he dressed in a satin suit and tap shoes. Dance!
“My two brothers and I used to perform around the Washington area—my older brother playing the accordion, my younger brother singing. I was the dancer,” said the founder of the soon-to-be successful Chris Collins Dance Studio, with a still boyish and broad smile.
Fresh out of Alexandria City High School (then known as T.C. Williams High School), Collins studied dance at private dance studios and business at Northern Virginia Community College, and rented an empty room at the old Blessed Sacrament School’s location with the vision of a dancing Alexandria populace. The first small recital—Showtime 1977—of the Chris Collins Dance Studio was held at an elementary school, making use of black lights, stage scenery, a record player, and one speaker. That first Chris Collins Dance Studio Showtime laid the track for performances over the next 49 years.
Chris Collins Dance Studio takes its first steps
Collins moved his operation to a one-room studio on Quaker Lane in Alexandria, and CCDS had its first real home. Collins planted the roots of his family-oriented business here, which was supported by family members, including his mother Ruth “always at the front desk” while his father Bill was fitting shoes.
“I can remember to this very day, my parents being worried if I could make my rent,” he laughed wistfully. “If only I had that rent (amount) now. I was young and idealistic. I wasn’t making a fortune but I was making my dream happen. Little by little, it became my life,” Collins recalled matter-of-factly. “My teaching in area preschools and day care programs started getting my name out when I was new and young.”
Mandy Reeves was in Blessed Sacrament preschool when she first met Chris Collins, who was teaching creative movement. Reeves loved his instruction so much she joined his studio for dance classes and remained there through her high school graduation. Reeves said, “Dancing gave me confidence to perform (and now speak) on stage in front of large audiences, taught me how to balance busy schedules, and gave me tremendous memories of performing and competing.”
Back in those early days, echoing the stories of many successful entrepreneurs, Collins confessed that he felt he could “make a go of it as I continued to work day jobs.” Enrollment grew and about two years later, he happily hired his first teacher to build the CCDS program. Then came a series of moves, not necessarily by choice. When his small Quaker Lane location was sold, he moved to Shirlington and then to the West End on South Pickett Street. Ten years later, he landed in the Van Dorn Station Shopping Center, and in 2003, the studio settled into its current Eisenhower Avenue location.
“This was just cinder blocks and concrete, not a wall or partition anywhere,” Collins explained, as he walked a visitor through the stylish reception area, large office, homework study room, and three extra-large dance studios—each ringed by mirrors, covered with padded gray Marley or sprung-wood flooring, and equipped with dance bars and equipment for various dance classes and musical theater. In total, the studio comprises some 4,000 square feet of dance space in a bright and inviting atmosphere.
Keeping it in the family at Chris Collins Dance Studio
“I am really proud of how many next-generation students I have from people who want their children to enjoy some of the same experiences they had,” said Collins, who currently has some alumni dancers returning—estimating the number around 25—who are “back taking classes while their offspring are dancing with their little peers.”
Mandy Reeves is living proof of that continuity. “Fast forward to the present: my daughter is now in her ninth year at the studio and loves it just as much as I did,” she said. “It has been an absolute joy to watch her thrive and have many of the same experiences I had, including learning to tap with Chris!”
Collins said, “The funny thing is this is known as a very transient area. I’m proud of how many people who have moved from here and keep on dancing elsewhere—and how many graduates from here who have become teachers themselves.”
As the years unfolded, Collins saw the demand to expand offerings to include acro, contemporary, musical theater, and hip hop. He also noted that the graded Cecchetti Ballet Program (a graded syllabus and technique program) has greatly benefitted his students and is very popular. His ballet teacher, Jennifer Meyer, is on the Board of Directors of the Cecchetti Council of America, and she also instructs other teachers. According to Collins, the Cecchetti method is more academic and requires out-of-state examiners to come in for evaluations.
Millions of dance steps later, Collins has helped five decades of dancers from the greater Washington area achieve their own lifelong pleasure and satisfaction in pursuit of their passion. While himself still a devotee of tap, Collins professes a deep affection for all the methods of dance taught in his studio.
“Fifty years ago, I was the only teacher—and now I have about 10 certified teachers doing the teaching with me, and many of them grew up and trained here.” Many other former students are teaching elsewhere in the county.
“All CCDS students are invited to be part of our yearly recitals. They are held every June with three separate performances with the youngest students in the morning, and the older dancers in the afternoon and evening shows,” Collins said.
Students who are interested in pursuing more have the opportunity to audition for the Chris Collins Dance Company, which offers them the chance to perform and dance competitively. They have won many awards and other honors throughout the years in competitions, and have performed locally as well as in Disney World and many other places.
Celebrating 50 years of rehearsing, performing, and competing – and building confidence
Next year, on June 20, 2026, the 50th Anniversary Showtime recital will feature “50 Golden Years of Memories and Music,” he said, adding that he is currently working with a group of performing alumni for the program, in addition to the studio’s current dancers.
In addition to the children of previous dance students, among the dancers throughout the years have been Collins’s own children (he has four) and his grandchildren (there are eight). A widower at the time, Collins met his wife Vickie at the studio more than 20 years ago when she was the parent of one of his dancers. Vickie “does everything behind the scenes,” he noted, such as managing the stage, the costumes, and productions, as well as welcoming people at the front desk. His daughter Tiffany and niece Allison also teach at the studio.
Alexandria families sing the praises of Chris Collins Dance Studio
Seeing her daughter’s level of confidence grow during her elementary school years of dance lessons, Alexandrian Susan Hahn said Chris Collins deserves credit for his professionalism and patience. “The studio provided excellent and fun recital opportunities for our daughter, Margaret,” Hahn said. “She’s now an adult in a public affairs role and she definitely gained confidence that has carried through to adulthood because of the caring and public presentation opportunities that are part of the performing arts.”
Mandy Reeves said she and her daughter Riley “are so blessed to be back here for the studio’s 50th year.”
Noting that Collins has fulfilled his mission over a couple of generations within her family, Melissa Poretz Riddy said, “Chris was my dance teacher when I was a kid, and now my own children dance with him—my mom and sister did, too. It’s remarkable to see how many generations he has inspired. I’m so grateful that he continues to share his passion and talent with Alexandria after all these years. It’s truly a gift to our community.”
