Dana Bailey is no stranger to performing. From appearing in commercials for Pepsi, 7/11, Sonic, Long John Silvers and Radio Shack to acting alongside A-list celebrities like Tom Cruise, Dana relentlessly pursues her passions. But after building a dance enterprise that trains nearly 1,500 students annually, Dana now dedicates her life to helping future generations of performers cultivate their own.
Now celebrating 30 years, Dana’s Studio Of Dance (DSOD) has fostered a secure and inclusive environment for children to learn, perform and compete. In addition to overseeing DSOD’s three studios in Southlake, Keller and Coppell, Dana holds the title of president and artistic director at DFW Performing Arts Conservatory, which she established with her husband, Scott.
Multifaceted and energetic, Dana has played many roles throughout the years, from instructor and performer to mentor and friend. Through selfless love and thoughtful actions, she continues to help others move to their own beat.
FIRST STEPS
From the age of two, Dana knew she loved to dance.
“I had such a passion for it that I decided to leave my regular public school and go to performing arts school,” Dana says. “I knew no one there, knowing that I’m leaving all my friends to go pursue something that I love.”
Committing to her craft, Dana started instructing across three dance studios in Fort Worth at age 15 and began to love teaching just as much as performing. From that point forward, she reflected on her firsthand experiences so she could one day run her own fully comprehensive studio.
While briefly exploring acting in her late teens, Dana landed her most significant role working alongside Tom Cruise in Oliver Stone’s 1989 film “Born On The Fourth Of July.” There, she learned that she enjoys behind-the-scenes activities rather than being front-stage. Later graduating Cum Laude with a Radio, Television and Film degree at Texas Christian University, Dana set out to make her longtime dreams a reality.
In 1993, she and her husband rented a space in what was previously a Food Lion on Southlake Boulevard. After spending some time there, they received sudden notice from the shopping center’s landlord that they had one month to leave before the space would become what is now Tom Thumb.
“We were like, ‘What are we going to do?’ And it forced my hand to either go, ‘OK, I'm gonna get a lease somewhere else or just buy land and build the way I want it to be,’” Dana says.
Moving to her own rhythm, Dana purchased property on Southlake Boulevard and began building the first exclusive Dana's Studio Of Dance location. Officially opening in 1997, the business was bustling. So much so that within a year, Dana, her husband and her father began drawing up plans to add another building to the property. Years later, the Keller and Coppell locations started coming to fruition, welcoming crowds of aspiring performers.
BluDoor Studios
MORE THAN JUST DANCE
Today, over 50 seasoned performers teach interchangeably across all three studios. Anywhere between 1,000 to 1,500 kids annually learn from professionals who have worked alongside Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Drake, Dolly Parton and more.
"Some of the kids dance 15, 20, 30 hours a week at the studio, and it's like having almost a full-time job, so just having that safe space for them to do that gets a lot of kids through times in their life," Dana says. "It's hard being a teenager, so if they have that love, passion and outlet, I think it's really important for them. They get in there and move their body and don't have to think about anything else.”
Not only have many former students returned to DSOD to teach, but several former pupils brought the next generation to learn from Dana’s as they once did.
“It’s really cool to see whenever they bring their kids back,” Dana says. “It's just super cute seeing them on the outside of the window rather than on the inside.”
Lacey Maykus, a 1996-2004 DSOD student, often spent more time at the Southlake studio than her own home, fostering relationships that were like family. Over a decade later, she brought her eldest daughter to the studio and will soon bring her youngest.
“It's so fun to see that the studio has maintained that environment even with such amazing growth,” Lacey says. “It still feels like your child is the most important child at that studio, and that's what every mom and parent wants.”
No matter the aspiration, Dana has enabled every student to authentically pursue their passions. From providing performance opportunities at Disney and Universal Studios to connecting personally with each student, Dana teaches her students far more than dance.
“Dana provided so many opportunities outside of just dancing but just really growing as people, and I think that's where Dana's stands apart from a lot of other studios,” Lacey says. “Their teachers and staff have always been so personally invested in their students, and they really believe in every one of them. They provide that safe space to grow, learn and be comfortable.”
Although there are many notable success stories from former students, Dallas Cowboy cheerleader Lacey Knight is a testament to DSOD’s ambitious and grounded approach.
“I learned how to be a good teammate and how to show up and give it my all, so I really think the lessons I learned while at the studio helped me to go on and dance professionally in the NFL,” Lacey says. “It's taught me a lot about dedication and staying loyal to the team that you're on.”
Years may fall between each dance company, yet every student who crosses Dana’s path moves forward with people to call family and a place to call home.
"I remember practicing all of my solos and tryout dances for [the Cowboys] within the studios at Dana's, and Dana was always so supportive and opened up the studio for me whenever it was after hours so that I could get in that extra practice," Lacey says. "She and Dana's as a whole was a huge support system for me, and they became like family."
EXPLORING NEW AVENUES
Once the Baileys expanded their own family, Dana harkened back to her tumultuous high school transition. Looking toward their future in a sports-minded community that was only getting larger, Dana decided to be the change she wanted to see and opened the Dallas Fort Worth Performing Arts Conservatory in 2009.
“To have an outlet for [kids] where everyone is in the same environment of people that all want the same love for the arts, then it's so cool to see them because there's no cliques of the nerds or the cheerleaders,” Dana says. “They feel comfortable because everybody else is trying everything.”
Although DFW PAC isn’t a large school, it carries a tremendous impact. Part of a graduating class of three, Peyton Mayeux attended for five years before going to work in the entertainment industry.
“I missed out on certain opportunities like football, homecoming, stuff like that, but I got to perform at Disney World, Universal, Oktoberfest and all over the metroplex,” Peyton says. “It really opened some cool doors for me.”
Currently teaching at DSOD and soon to be employed with Disney in Orlando, Peyton attributes much of her success to Dana and DFW PAC.
“She trusted me from the beginning and gave me so many opportunities, and I always knew that I had a home to come to,” Peyton says. “Being a female business owner, she has done nothing but kill it for the last 30 years. She’s really done great things and provides a safe environment for performers.”
INSPIRATION THAT NEVER STOPS
Described as an avid “doer” by many, Dana never gives up on anything or anyone. When you ask her what the most rewarding aspect is, it’s always those she serves.
“It's not work when you can put something that you love, that you're passionate about, that you can get up every day and are like, ‘I love what I do, I love that I'm bringing this to these kids,’” Dana says. “The passion that I have for dance or the other arts to be able to pass that along and just to see what it does for the other kids is pretty amazing – gives me the chills.”
Dana is still very much involved in DSOD and DFW PAC, observing the legacy she built and the lives she inspired. As her students reach new heights, she continues to cheer them on, one step at a time.
“It's given me a purpose,” Dana says. “Obviously, I love to dance, but don't do that aspect as much anymore. Now I'm just running the businesses, but just to be able to sit back and watch the next generation and the next generation, that's what I enjoy now.”