When Ali Gorman learned that her daughters’ dance studio was closing, she knew she had to act fast to preserve the dance community they loved. Her solution? Open a new studio in the same location.

• Envision Dance Studio, located at 4489 Commons Drive West A/B in Destin (next to HomeGoods), is the result of Gorman’s quick thinking and collaboration with studio and artistic director Tammie Roman. 

The studio, which opened without any downtime after the previous one closed in June, aims to provide a space where dancers of all ages can continue to learn, grow, and express themselves through movement.

“When we found out that it was closing, they were devastated and so was I because this is a really unique and talented community of dancers,” Gorman said. “It was actually a joke with other dance moms, I said, ‘don’t tempt me with a good time.’ And here I am.”

Gorman, a CPA by trade with a background in dance, partnered with Roman, an experienced dance instructor who had been teaching at the previous studio for five years. Their collaboration brings together Gorman’s business acumen and Roman’s dance expertise to create a space that feels both fresh and familiar to returning dancers.

• “From the beginning, the collaboration between myself and the Gormans was just such a natural fit,” Roman said. “I immediately knew that this was going to be the start of something really amazing.”

The transition to the new studio was seamless, with only a couple of hours of downtime between the closing of the old studio and the opening of Envision. The quick turnaround was important to Gorman and Roman, who wanted to ensure that the dancers had a continuous space to practice and grow.

“The beauty of that situation is that we were able to take over the space and the teachers wanted to stay,” Gorman explained. “It still feels like home to a lot of the dancers because the community is able to stay together.”

While the studio’s location remains the same, Envision has made significant improvements to the space. New floors have been installed, featuring a state-of-the-art “Sprung Floor” system with a special foam base and a Marley top layer made of PVC material. This flooring is designed to protect dancers’ bodies while being suitable for multiple dance styles.

Envision Dance Studio offers a wide range of classes for dancers aged 3 through adult. The studio’s offerings include ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, hip hop, creative dance, improvisation, and pointe. They also provide specialty classes focused on strength and flexibility, as well as a company prep class designed to help dancers prepare for auditions and competitions.

Roman, who began her dance journey at the age of three, brings a wealth of experience to her role as studio director and artistic director. Her pre-professional training in Albuquerque, New Mexico, inspired her to pursue a serious career in dance and ultimately led her to teaching.

• “As I gained more experience, I recognized how my teachers had inspired a love and passion for dance within me. I wanted to be able to continue that legacy,” Roman said. “I wanted to bring that same gift to the next generation of dancers.”

The studio’s philosophy centers on fostering individual growth and creativity while maintaining a strong sense of community. Roman emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment where every dancer feels welcome and supported.

“We’ve worked really hard to create the perfect blend of technical precision in dance education with compassionate and supportive teaching practices,” Roman said. “We believe that kindness in teaching and acceptance and inclusivity are so important, and we love these kids for who they are and they all bring different gifts as individuals.”

Envision Dance Studio caters to a variety of dance interests and skill levels. In addition to their recreational program, they offer an elite competition team that travels to events outside the local area. This provides dancers with the opportunity to experience the competitive aspect of dance and gain valuable stage time.

• The studio also works closely with local school dance teams, offering specialized classes to help these dancers improve their skills. They’ve developed a flexible schedule to accommodate students’ extracurricular activities, ensuring that dancers can participate in both school teams and studio classes.

“It’s incredibly beneficial for anyone on a dance team to come and take additional technical training,” Roman explained. “We’ve developed some special classes to help those dancers improve and we’ve collaborated with them.”

Beyond the physical benefits of dance, Envision Dance Studio emphasizes the cognitive and social advantages of dance education. Their early education dance program, developed in partnership with a school teacher, focuses on more than just dance steps. Young dancers learn balance, coordination, motor skills, and social interaction in a group environment.

• “Studies have shown improvement in memory and in brain function through regular participation in dance classes.  As students learn choreography and practice new skills, they are building healthy brains which positively impacts growth and development,” Roman said.

The studio also places a strong emphasis on building confidence through dance. Annual recitals provide all dancers, not just the competition team, with the opportunity to showcase their skills and growth on stage.

“All of our dancers get an opportunity to dance on stage and to show what they’ve learned,” Roman added. “They get to bloom as a person and be proud of what they’ve worked on throughout the year.”

As Envision Dance Studio prepares for its first full season, Gorman and Roman are focused on spreading the word about their new venture. They’re actively working to boost enrollment and let the community know that their favorite dance teachers are still available at the familiar location.

• The studio is already buzzing with activity. In early July, they hosted a guest choreographer from Los Angeles who worked with the company dancers. 
• Another choreographer from Atlanta is scheduled to visit, and the studio is offering master classes open to the community for dancers aged 13 and up.

Fall classes at Envision Dance Studio are set to begin on August 19, the second week after local schools start. Registration is currently open, with information available on the studio’s social media pages and a temporary website at envisiondancestudio.net.

Monthly tuition rates range from $80 for one class to $280 for unlimited classes, with options for multiple class discounts. Drop-in classes are also available for $20 each. A registration fee will be charged prior to the start of classes.

As Envision Dance Studio prepares to open its doors for its inaugural season, Gorman and Roman are excited about the future and grateful for the opportunity to keep their dance community together.

• “I’m so excited and so grateful for the opportunity,” Roman said. “Everything just fell into place with Ali, like this was just the way it was meant to be.”

For Gorman, who jokingly refers to herself now as “the ultimate dance mom,” the decision to open Envision Dance Studio was about more than just providing a space for her own children to dance. It was about preserving a community and creating opportunities for all dancers in the area to continue growing and expressing themselves through movement.

“The opportunity was there and it made sense,” Gorman said, reflecting on her decision to open the studio. “I just knew I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”

With its combination of experienced instructors, state-of-the-art facilities, and a commitment to fostering both technical skill and personal growth, Envision Dance Studio is poised to become a cornerstone of the Destin dance community. As classes begin and dancers of all ages fill the studios once again, Gorman and Roman’s vision of a welcoming, inclusive, and technically strong dance education center is becoming a reality.