The idea for a new modern dance studio came in 1999. To be more exact, the original idea was to offer bailatino training in Estonia: till 2000, the nearest place to attend bailatino classes was Finland. The idea became reality. The first bailatino classes were conducted in September 2000. This was not yet the DanceAct club, but a tiny dance studio called La Ronda, mainly specialised in flamenco.

Bailatino gained popularity during the first season and this is how DanceAct was founded – with the idea of taking bailatino to the masses and teaching other modern dance styles, as well as offering the best and most professional dance classes in Estonia. One of the studio’s missions was to promote modern dance and bring it closer to people.

DanceAct was launched in September 2001 at 9E Narva Rd, Tallinn. Its programme included bailatino, flamenco, funky (now hip-hop) and belly dance. The studio had one hall and a tiny changing room. At the beginning of 2002, flamenco was replaced by a new dance style – cheerleaders & show.

In its second season DanceAct grew by another dance hall and changing room. Bailatino, hip-hop, belly dance and cheerleaders & show became more and more popular among people. At the beginning of the third season, DanceAct took its bailatino classes also to Tartu and Pärnu. DanceAct cooperates with the Avancia Beauty and Sport Centre in Tartu and the Laine Mägi Dance School in Pärnu to this day.

Besides dance classes, DanceAct began to stage dance performances with a new show group, basketball and volleyball cheerleaders troupes and club dancers. The DanceAct troupes and club dancers are among Estonia’s best today. The dancers of DanceAct have also been acclaimed in Italy, Spain, Finland, and Latvia.

In the autumn of 2003 the range of styles taught at DanceAct was further extended by club freestyle, a completely new dance style for Estonia. In the autumn of 2006 another new and unique for Estonia dance style was added – bailatino mama (dance classes for pregnant women).

Bringing new and interesting dance styles to the masses has been a mission of DanceAct from the very beginning. DanceAct has been the first to introduce bailatino, bailatino mama, cheerleaders & show and club freestyle to Estonia. DanceAct is also the official representative of the bailatino dance and training style in the Republic of Estonia, authorised by the FDSA (Finnish Dance Sport Association).

DanceAct cooperates intensively with foreign dance teachers and trainers. Dance workshops led by top teachers from other countries have been held for several years in cooperation with the Dance2XS agency (USA) and the FDSA.

Each new season has new challenges for DanceAct and we try to make a step forward every year. Our goal and aspiration is to give people more than simply good dance classes. We wish DanceAct to give people the joy of dancing, exercise, and good company, and what’s most important, the joy of life. Emotion in motion!

Georg Kodusaar
Studio director