Professional dancers open studio in Bryan
BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – For John Reid and Aya Reid, dance runs deep. Aya Reid started at 3 years old.
“I just love dance,” Aya said. “My sister was doing dance and started doing other stuff, but I just kept doing ballet.”
John Reid started dancing at 10 years old.
“I auditioned for Houston Ballet Academy,” John said. ” I got a full scholarship, and I was there for I, think, 10 years.”
Both have had long professional careers. Aya was a member of the Ballet Chambre Ouest in Hachioji, Tokyo for over 16 years. During John’s career, he’s danced with Colorado Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet and City Ballet of San Diego among other companies.
The Reids met while working in Japan, which is where their love and passion for teaching started.
They opened the Elements Academy of Dance there in 2013.
“We turned an office building into a very small studio,” John said. “Again, I built the floor there and so we watched it grow. We started with three kids and by the time we left, it was maybe 20-ish.”
The couple moved to Texas in 2019 and worked at other studios. In June, they reopened their studio in Bryan.
It’s located at 6925 Reliance Church Road.
“I built the floor, and I built the bars,” John said. “I followed people on YouTube. I’ll tell you, YouTube will change your life.”
The Reids currently offer ballet and contemporary, but their mission exceeds the moves.
“Our goal here is to watch kids grow, not only as dancers, but as individuals. What we mean by that is I know that everybody who walks through our doors won’t be a dancer, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do their best and that doesn’t mean they can’t feel encouraged,” John said.
This approach sets their studio apart, according to John.
“I want them to have that pride in what they do because that pride, when you walk outside, it continues,” he said.
To keep up with the studio, you can follow its Facebook.
That’s also where you can find details on its July intensive and fall season.
The studio caters to students 7 years old and up.
