Our Story

   Laurie and Verna, the studio co-founders, met in 2008 when Verna’s daughter started taking ballet from Laurie. When Verna found out the preschool dance program was trying to raise money for a new dance floor, she volunteered to help.  After a new dance floor and four years of raising money for the dance program, Laurie and Verna knew they were a good team.  When Laurie decided to follow her dream of opening her own dance studio, she asked Verna to join her and Exceleration Studios was born.
   Exceleration Studios began in June of 2013.  Laurie and Verna take great pride in bringing the love of dance to children and ensuring a safe place for students and their families.  The studio has grown quickly and is now home to over 200 dancers.  Dance styles include Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Lyrical, Hip Hop, and Tap.  Recreational classes are offered as well as competitive teams for the dancer looking for a more challenging experience.  Laurie and Verna look forward to many more years of watching their dream grow.

   Though ​Verna never danced, she always wanted to be a teacher.  Her path took her the way of secretary, office manager, and an education in art history and early childhood development with a BA in Human Development.  Her teaching plans were put on hold with the birth of her daughter as she became a stay-at-home mom, volunteering at school, getting involved with the PTA, and for a year was president of the Moms Club of Burbank.  
​   Verna never thought she would open a dance school, but through her daughter's love of dance, she met Laurie.  As it turns out, Verna’s experience behind the desk has proven a perfect match for Laurie’s talent to teach dance.  And where it is not the class setting she originally planned for, she loves being surrounded by children and watching them learn and grow at Exceleration Studios.

  Laurie began her dream to dance back in Wisconsin.  Her passion brought her to Los Angeles where she danced professionally.   Laurie stopped dancing for 4 years due to a major leg injury (non-related to dance), and so her focus changed from being a dancer to being a teacher.  She became the dance director of a local church’s outreach program in Burbank where she tripled the dance program in just two years, and continued to teach and direct there for six. 
   Laurie is married and has 4 children of her own which makes for a busy life, but her love of dance and passion for correct technique keeps her in the studio.  Her goal is to provide an experience as wonderful as her own while growing up.  Laurie is looking forward to many more years of teaching dance and mentoring students to reach their highest potential.