About The Dance Connection

Our Mission
The Dance Connection prides itself on operating a family-oriented studio. Our goal is to create a fun and exciting atmosphere where all students can enjoy learning the art of dance. Whatever your personal taste or style, the Dance Connection has classes for every age, interest and level of skill.

Staff

  • Tami Aldrin – Pre-School, Children’s Tap, Special Needs
  • Becky Abshire – Tap
  • Lauren Baranowski – Pre-School, Children’s Dance
  • Samantha Berg – Ballet, Jazz
  • Jeanette Jancosek – Ballet, Jazz, Tumbling
  • Tamira Maldonado – Funk, Jazz
  • Alexis West – Ballet, Jazz, Tap
  • Mary Wojkovich – Ballet, Pointe, Modern

History
Originally founded in 1954 as “Muffet’s School of Dance,” The Dance Connection has been a creative presence in Northwest Indiana for more than fifty years.

Operating out of the same location at 6635 Kennedy Avenue, The Dance Connection has a rich history of fun, friendships and family ties.

After directing for 30+ years, original owner Rita Muffet passed on her legacy to one of her very first students, Tami Aldrin, and her close friend and former student, Cindy Melchor. In 1987, under the management of Cindy and Tami, the studio was re-launched as The Dance Connection, “connecting” Muffet’s School of Dance to Tami’s other studio venture at the time, “The Dance Studio” in North Hammond.

After 13 years of operating as partners, Tami and Cindy passed the torch on to Alexis Aldrin-West, Tami’s daughter. Alexis has now been the Connection’s director for 8 years.

The Dance Connection is currently boasting it’s biggest enrollment ever! This has prompted the opening of an additional studio space – “The Dance Connection Too” – located just two doors down from our main studio. This new space is designed to house our smaller classes and we are very excited to have you come fill it with dance, laughter and learning.

For over 50 years The Dance Connection has prided itself on being an affordable, diverse, family-oriented studio that connects a passion for dance to healthy discipline, character, friends and fun