Studio K Member Spotlight: Meet Claire & James!

By: Hannah Zwemer

While it sure feels like summer was just yesterday, somehow October is here – bringing (slightly) cooler weather and the perfect excuse to face your fears; a time to try something that scares you. And what better way to ring in Spooky Season than our first two-person spotlight with long-term Studio K Members and big-time Halloween fans, Claire and James!

A married couple who discovered dance as adults, Claire and James are not only a perfect example of what can happen when you follow your heart and explore past your comfort zone, but an excellent representation of a supportive relationship. Who doesn’t want to do their favorite things with their favorite person??

And without further ado, here’s what makes Studio K such a special, encouraging place through Claire and James' eyes. As you’ll see, there’s just something different about Studio K that makes it the best adult dance studio around. With so many different offerings every single month, there is truly something for everyone!

A Shared Beginning: Claire & James Step Into Dance Together

HZ: How and when did you start dancing? What sparked an interest to pursue dance as an adult without prior experience?

Claire Erlacher-Reid (CER): I’ve been interested in dance as long as I can remember, but I was not given the opportunity to take dance classes as a child – even though I begged profusely! I even pretended to dance to The Nutcracker alone in my bedroom while wearing a ballet outfit gifted to me by my Aunt. My only dance experience was one year in a swing dancing club in college – that’s it! I wanted to find opportunities to learn dance as an adult, but my career aspirations took over my life in my 20s and 30s, and all of my hobbies and interests had to wait.  Sadly, my fitness suffered the consequences.

Once I obtained my dream job, I started searching for ways of regaining my fitness, but the gyms were not fun, comfortable, or engaging enough to motivate me. I started searching for dance studios with adult classes or dance fitness classes. That is when I found the single greatest studio to ever exist – Studio K. This is where I learned to dance for the first time in my life, beginning at the age of 39!  

Dancing at Studio K has greatly helped me with my work-life balance because my dream job is still faced with daily mental/emotional and physical stress and politics. Even though I do love my job, I still need an outlet. Studio K is my happy place, and I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have this in my backyard!!  

James Reid (JR): I had never danced a day in my life before coming to Studio K. In fact, I was notoriously rhythmically challenged growing up! My wife, Claire, had always wanted to dance but never had the opportunity. While we were moving around the country during her career training, she would search for a place to try dance, but never found the right fit.

When we moved to Orlando, she discovered Studio K and nervously went in December 2019. She had a blast and started going regularly. She’d come home describing the classes, and it sounded like she was having so much fun. She especially loved Broadway Burn, and since I had recently gotten into musical theater (thanks, Wicked!), it sounded like something I could try.

I finally worked up the nerve to attend a Broadway Burn class – and I fell in love immediately. Later, when a Musical Theater class for Grease (one of my top three favorite musicals) was offered, I thought, I have to do this! That class is what truly hooked me on choreography.

The Unique Studio K Experience

HZ: How long have you been a Studio K member?

CER/JR: We’ve been members for a little over 5 years! I (Claire) first attended classes in December 2019, but then the pandemic occurred. The moment the studio opened back up, I jumped right back into class and we both became official members in the summer of 2020.

HZ: Why did you choose Studio K as your preferred dance/fitness class studio?

CER: When I was initially searching for a dance studio online that offered dance classes, it was extremely challenging to find a studio that offered a variety of both dance and fitness classes, for various levels, in a casual and affordable setting. At the time, the other studios offered only ballet or ballroom dancing, rarely fitness classes, were extremely expensive, and based on their online presence felt a bit – well, uptight. 

However, Studio K made it well known on their website that they pride themselves on being a judgment-free zone for dancers of all experience levels and all body types. This, along with the incredibly diverse variety and levels of both dance and fitness classes, the affordable pricing, and the proximity to home and work made Studio K an easy decision for me. 

It took me months to gain enough courage to go to a class, and even though I pretty much bombed that first dance class at Studio K, I strangely did not feel self-conscious about it. I felt comfortable there, I was proud of myself for trying something new, and I had so much fun doing it! 

JR: The instructors – and of course, Kristin! If my first experience had been anything less welcoming, I probably wouldn’t have made it past that first class as a 39-year-old, overweight, rhythmically challenged adult.

Liz, the Broadway Burn instructor, made it so easy to follow along, and Kristin always offered such genuine encouragement. Studio K is a completely judgment-free zone. I dance alongside beginners and professionals alike, and I’ve never once felt “less than.”

Because of this environment, I gave up my other gym membership and now rely entirely on Studio K for my fitness goals.

HZ: What are your favorite classes to take?

CER: I’ve taken nearly every class at Studio K, and while it is so difficult to choose, my favorites are Broadway Burn and Musical Theater!!

JR: Honestly – all of them! For a while, Claire and I took every class offered, five nights a week. I’d come in for Broadway Burn, see the end of the previous class, think “that looks fun,” and decide to attend it the next week. That cycle kept going until I’d tried them all.

Here are a few standouts:

• Broadway Burn: My first class and still my ultimate favorite.

• Musical Theater: 15-year-old me would never have imagined dancing to show tunes on a regular basis.

• Hip Hop: I was nervous to try it, but the instructors made it approachable and fun.

• Zumba: This class really helped me develop rhythm.

• POUND: Perfect for releasing stress after a long week.

• Tap: I never thought I’d be tap dancing!

• Polynesian: I love the island vibes and unique style.

Life Beyond the Studio: A Day in the Life of Claire & James

HZ: When you're not here taking classes, what are you up to? What do you do for work?

CER: I’m an aquatic veterinarian at SeaWorld Orlando and the Florida Coral Rescue Center!! A career in the conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation of endangered and threatened aquatic species, specifically as a veterinarian at SeaWorld, was my dream since I was five years old!

When not working, I am a clarinetist for the Central Florida Community Arts Orchestra, and during September and October, I provide haunting entertainment as a Scare Actor at SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream event!! I also thoroughly enjoy traveling, scuba diving, and scrapbooking when I can find time.

JR: I make video games for a living and have been in the industry for about 15 years as a software engineer, specializing in user interface programming. I work closely with artists to bring designs to life.

Outside of work and Studio K, I’m usually traveling, going to Broadway shows, scuba diving, or – most recently – diving into woodworking. I’ve also recently started working as a scare actor alongside Claire at SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream, and that has been a blast!

HZ: What do you think makes Studio K different from other dance studios?

CER: The personal touch! This locally run and owned studio is the creation, pride, and joy of Kristin Weissman – one of the kindest, friendliest, sincerest, and most hardworking and talented people I have ever met. She and her team of choreographers will make you feel completely at home. As soon as you enter the studio, you are met with an amazing smile and a personal greeting by name. During my first month of attending, Kristin knew I was interested in attending a yoga class one evening, but there was a change or alteration in the timing of the class. She called me personally to give me a heads-up before I drove there. That is AMAZING customer service!! WOW! As if that wasn’t amazing enough, she will commonly ask members for recommendations on dance styles or workshops that they would like to see offered – and she makes it happen!

Studio K also stands out because it has more variety of dance and fitness classes in one studio than anywhere else in the country for all levels of dancers. I get to dance alongside other beginners and also with professional dancers from Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld all in the same class. I have met some incredibly talented and nice people here that are now part of my dance family!

JR: The people. Kristin has built an amazing, judgment-free environment where everyone can get something different out of the experience. Some come for fitness, some to prepare for theme park auditions, and others to rediscover dance from their youth. We all coexist, support each other, and have a great time together.

Final Thoughts: On Dance Advice, Dancing Together & Halloween Fun!

HZ: What advice do you have for people who want to try dance/fitness classes, but might be hesitant/nervous?

CER: Every day is a new adventure! I never thought I would be learning to dance for the first time at this age, but I am so proud of myself for taking the leap! I may have some significant age-related changes to my body that prevent me from moving quite like the younger dancers; however, it is not stopping me from learning something new and having an absolute blast. In fact, classes at Studio K have only improved my mobility, my strength, and my health. Life is short and everyone should have the opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream, wish, or hobby that they have been keeping in their heart. 

To my friends out there: don’t be afraid to try something new, no matter what your age or experience level. A new adventure is waiting for YOU!!

JR: Just do it – that first step is the hardest. Do whatever it takes to get yourself through the door. I was terrified my first time, and I’m so glad I pushed through.

We’re all adults with adult bodies, and Studio K is truly a welcoming, encouraging space. If you’re hesitant, check out the Studio K YouTube page to get a feel for the classes. Watching my wife in those videos made me think, I could do that, and that was the push I needed.

HZ: What's it like dancing together as a married couple?

CER: I’m lucky to have found the love of my life and my soulmate when I was just 18 years old.  We have grown and changed together over the years, which I believe has strengthened and deepened our relationship further. I love sharing every moment in life that I possibly can with James, and that includes sharing in his and our milestones as we improve in dance and fitness. I am so extremely proud of watching him dance, especially since he previously thought that he had no sense of rhythm. That has proven to be very untrue!

Dancing with him also provides for even more entertainment during class as he will try to find subtle ways to make me laugh – often by going extra hard on a shimmy in Zumba, attempting a split much to everyone’s amusement in a musical theater workshop, or bonking me in the head with a beachball as a choreographed move during one of the Barbie workshops!  It is so much fun to practice dance moves or break-out into Broadway Burn choreography randomly at home when certain songs pop up on our playlist. I love my dance partner!! 

JR: I love it! It’s great because dance is something we can do together. We encourage each other.

HZ: And finally, what do you love most about October/Halloween season?

CER: I adore the theatrics and creativity of the Halloween season! It is the one time of year when you can decorate with nearly no limitations or rules, just pure creativity, mystery, and imagination mixed with a bit of scary spiciness. The world comes to life with live interactive spooky themed theatrical performances – haunted houses, scare zones, and shows. Nothing has to be perfect or refined, because usually the flaws just make it more spooky and more thematic.  The change in the angle of the sun creates an eerie glow in the twilight hours, and there may be a crispness in the air that beckons you to spend your afternoons in nature exploring, hiking trails, and selecting the perfect pumpkin for carving.

Aside from working as Scare Actors together at SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream, we decorate our house inside and out with Halloween decorations (many of which we made from scratch) that wow and shock our neighborhood, including jack-o-lanterns in our oak trees, an expansive graveyard, and life-sized statues of Michael Myers, Freddy, Jason, Ghostface, Beetlejuice, Sam, and some original characters. It is a lot of work, but it is worth it to see the smiles and screams from our tick-or-treaters.

JR: The atmosphere and decorations! Halloween Horror Nights has some of the best set designs for haunted houses, while Howl-O-Scream delivers incredible organic spooky vibes. Since moving to Orlando, we’ve gone all-out decorating our house for Halloween – so much so that our neighbors now look forward to it every year.

Face Your Fears, Find Your Fun: Discover Dance With Studio K

If learning to dance has been something you’ve sat with, unspoken and hidden away in your deepest dreams, why not take the leap now? As Claire and James have so accurately and lovingly expressed, Studio K truly is like no other dance studio you’ve seen or heard of before. 

Dare to dance this season of change…discover for yourself how much fun “scary” can be. Stop by our studio, visit our YouTube channel, check out our class schedule, and join us at Studio K. And always remember, The Floor Is Yours!