Port St. Lucie Talks sat down with Gina Marie and Tina Marie, the passionate duo behind St. Lucie Dance Theatre, to learn how they turned a childhood dream into a thriving community dance studio. From teaching toddlers to mentoring teens into scholarship recipients, this dynamic mother-daughter team has made a lasting impact on the local arts scene—one step, spin, and leap at a time.
What sets them apart? It’s not just the technique or talent—it’s the heart behind every move. Here’s the full conversation.
]
Gina Marie and Tina Marie, the duo behind St. Lucie Dance Theatre, have built a studio rooted in family, passion, and artistic expression for dancers of all ages.
Q: Can you tell us how St. Lucie Dance Theater began and what inspired you to start the
studio?
Gina Marie: I was inspired as a little girl to teach dance and one day open a dance studio. I actually
drew a picture when I was five years old of me teaching and my mom in the front office. It’s such an
amazing opportunity to live out that dream and make it a reality.
Q: Gina, I understand you have a professional performance background. How has that
shaped your approach to teaching and running the studio?
Gina Marie: My experience as a professional dancer has given me insight on how to train dancers to
truly perform and light up a stage, as opposed to just learning steps. It’s about connecting all the
components and fundamentals to create a true work of art on stage.
Q: Tina Marie, what makes St. Lucie Dance Theater unique compared to other dance studios
in the area?
Tina Marie: When anyone walks into our studio, we welcome them like they’re coming into our
home. It’s a family atmosphere. That’s the difference.
Q: Gina Marie, how do you see your role as a dance educator in the Port St. Lucie
community?
Gina Marie: Our role is very impactful and important. We strive to engage everyone who wants to
learn dance-no matter their age. We also support the community through fundraisers and outreach
whenever we can.
Q: Tina Marie, would you like to add to that?
Tina Marie: Yes. My passion has always been to open a studio with my daughter. That was our
goal-and God is good-we made that happen. It’s been a blessing to build this together.
Q: Your studio offers a wide range of styles-ballet, tap, jazz, acro, and hip hop. How do youdecide which programs to offer, and what’s your philosophy on exposing students to
multiple dance styles?
Tina Marie: We start with dancers as young as 18 months and go all the way up to 95! We believe in
letting them explore-so we offer everything: ballet, tap, lyrical, hip hop, musical theater, singing,
acting. This way, they get broad exposure and can discover what they love.
Q: Gina Marie, tell us about your summer performing arts camps. What inspired you to
expand beyond just dance?
Gina Marie: We created our summer performing arts camp to let dancers blossom and express
themselves in more ways. In addition to dance, we offer voice lessons, acting, and arts & crafts.
Since it runs daily, we see huge growth in a short time. It’s a fun and powerful experience.
Q: How do you balance technical training with fostering creativity and self-expression in your
students?
Gina Marie: We give students strong fundamentals-ballet technique and core dance movement-but
also the freedom to express themselves. We use improv, emotional connection, and even let them
choose their solo songs so their passion can shine through on stage.
Closing Thoughts
Whether your child is taking their first steps into dance or dreaming of a future on stage, St. Lucie Dance Theatre offers more than just instruction—it offers a community. Gina Marie and Tina Marie have built a space where passion, discipline, and joy come together, one pirouette at a time.
If you’re curious about classes, summer camps, or simply want to see the studio in action, you’re invited to stop by for a free trial class and meet the dance family in person.
