NAME: DAWN BROOKS

Job: Owner, Dawn's Dance Depot Ltd. at 111 S. 2nd St. in Caseyville (696-2262)

Outlook: "It's my hobby and my passion."

Dawn Brooks has relocated her dance studio closer to her home. The Caseyville native relocated a couple weeks ago after operating her business in Collinsville for the past five years. Brooks recently talked to business writer Will Buss about her move:

Why did you move your studio?

"I live in Caseyville and there are not any dance studios in Caseyville and there has not been any there in my whole adult life. I have always lived in Caseyville and I grew up in Caseyville. I thought it would be nice to have a dance studio in Caseyville."

What led you into this business?

"I always wanted to open my own dance studio. I have been teaching dance since I was about 16, and I am 42 now. I just always taught dance. I started my own dance studio and grew and branched out."

What distinguishes your dance studio from others?

"I am very affordable, comparatively speaking. I don't charge registration fees. A lot of studios charge $25 to $50 just to write your name on the form. I don't know why. It's not necessary, but they do."

How long have you been dancing?

"I have been in dance since I was in grade school, since I was nine or 10. I started teaching when I was 16."

What have you enjoyed most about it?

"I love kids. I've always loved kids and I love dance. So this puts my two favorite passions together. It's my hobby and my passion."

What is the age range of your students?

"Mostly kids. I start at about four-and-a-half all the way up to 18. I have adults as well that do some dance and some adult fitness."

What are the health benefits of dance?

"Dance can help a lot of things like balance, coordination, your stamina, especially ballet. It's really good for a lot of those and takes a lot of discipline."

What kind of dance do you teach?

"Ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop."

What is the most popular?

"It depends on the ages. Little kids like ballet and tap, and those eight and up like hip-hop."

What is your favorite?

"Ballet by far."

Why?

"Ballet is just my first love. It is kind of what my studio has been known for and is what I specialize in."

Contact reporter Will Buss at wbuss@bnd.com or 239-2526.