Southern Strutt was established in 1982 by Nancy Giles, a renowned dancer, to bring excellence in dance instruction and performance to the Midlands. Her dream was to help young people and adults realize their potential by celebrating the joy of life through dance.

“Our mission is to build individuals’ self-confidence, help them learn discipline and team work, and to realize their own abilities to achieve their life dreams,” Nancy says.

“We believe dance at Southern Strutt helps individuals learn life lessons–whether they ever dance again or not. It’s what people do with what they learn that matters,” she says.

“To pursue a profession in dance is not everyone’s goal,” Nancy says. “The lessons our students learn about themselves through dance are monumental for whatever they pursue in life. I get as much joy from the alumni stay-at-home mom as I do from a former student who calls me from Broadway on her opening night.”