Genia Johnson Dance Company, Inc

Summer brought the fun, the memories, the auditions, the Bootcamps, and plenty of time together — but now it’s time to turn the page and officially begin something BIG.

Our 25th Anniversary Season is just days away, and we can feel the excitement building! Our teachers are counting down right along with you and are SO ready to welcome our dancers back into the studio. They’ve been planning, preparing, creating, and talking about their classes all summer — and trust us, they are ready to DANCE! 💃✨

Over the next few days, our September Countdown Newsletters — #3, #2 and #1 — will help get everyone ready for that first exciting week. We’ll be sharing important information about classes and schedules, tuition, parking and building entrances, what to bring, class etiquette, dress code, respect and studio expectations, along with a few reminders to help make the beginning of the season as smooth and successful as possible.

But this season is about so much more than simply starting another year of dance.

This is Season 25.

It’s a celebration of where we’ve been, the people who have helped make GJDC what it is today, and everything we’re still dreaming about for the future. Throughout this anniversary year, we’ll be celebrating 25 years of memories, milestones, friendships, families, community service, laughter, hard work and — of course — DANCE!

There will be throwbacks, surprises, alumni celebrations, community involvement, volunteer opportunities, legacy family stories and plenty of moments to look back at the incredible journey that brought us here.

25 years ago, it was a dream. Today, it’s a legacy. And YOU are part of it.

So grab your dance bag, find those dance shoes, get ready to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones and prepare for a season we hope you’ll remember for years to come.

3… 2… 1…

The countdown is ON.

Season 25 starts Monday. And we are SO ready. 💜🖤✨

Let’s make this one for the books!

The countdown is on, and we’re getting everything ready for an incredible 2026–27 GJDC season! If your dancer hasn’t registered yet, there’s still time! Registration is available through your Parent Portal, our website, or by contacting the studio office at DancinGJDC@aol.com. Our full 2026–27 class schedule is available online.

📅 CLASSES BEGIN MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14!

Be sure to log into your family’s Parent Portal before the first week of classes. This is where you can view your dancer’s schedule, access account information, update billing details, and receive important class-specific emails and announcements. If you need help getting your username or password set up, just reach out to us at DancinGJDC@aol.com and we’ll be happy to help!

🩰 READY, SET, DANCE!

Still checking off your dance shoes and attire from the back-to-school list? We’ve got you covered! Visit GeniaJohnsonDanceCo.com, click CLASSES, and then select Dress Code to find the requirements for your dancer’s specific class or genre.

And if you’re still unsure about what your dancer needs, just ask! We’re always happy to help make sure everyone walks through our doors on the first day feeling comfortable, confident and ready to dance.

Ellmans Dancewear

8524 Patterson Avenue

Richmond, VA 23229

(804) 358-0655

STORE Hours:

Monday - Friday/ 11am - 6pm
Saturday /11am - 5pm
Sunday /12pm - 4pm
EXTENDED HOURS:
September 1-13
Monday - Friday/ 11am - 7 pm
Saturday/ 11am - 5pm
Sunday/ 12pm - 4pm

www.dancesupplies.com

www.discountdance.com

Online Registration is still OPEN -

2026/27 Season schedule is available online now!!

2026/27 Classes Start - Monday, September 14th

Don't miss our 25th Anniversary Season!

Jr League of Richmond's 21st Annual Touch a Truck Event - Saturday, October 3rd

Richmond Raceway

Come hang out at our GJDC table for prizes and face painting!

Get your tickets here!

https://jlrichmond.org/touchatruck/

Halloween Week and Bring Your "Boo" to Dance - October 26th - 31st

Wear your costumes to class and enjoy some spooky treats with your besties !

(costumes are optional)

*More details to come!

PARENTS! YES! We are definitely accepting snacks and goodies

for our end of class Treat Parties during Halloween week !

You are more than welcome to bring treat bags or just a bag of fruit, candy, etc. for our

Halloween tables or specifically for your child's class.

Monday, November 9th

Costume Measuring will begin !! Please make every effort to have students in all of their classes in correct dress code. *This is available on our website.

Thanksgiving Holiday Week - Studio CLOSED

November 23-28th, 2026

73nd Annual Colonial Heights Christmas Parade - No regular classes.

Tuesday, December 1st/ 7pm

*More details to follow !

Winter Break - Studio CLOSED

December 21, 2026 - January 3, 2027

New Year/ Classes Begin

Monday, January 4th, 2027

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Studio Closings/Inclement Weather Policy

*The studio will be open for all other holidays/special days during this time in 2026-27 unless otherwise noted.

*In the event of inclement weather, GJDC follows Colonial Heights City AND Chesterfield County school closings. We will post on all of our social media (FB, IG) and send out a studio email by 11am of our status. We will also update on NBC12 online, Channel 8 and CBS6 when available. HOWEVER, in certain cases of one closing and not the other, we will best address the current situation and make a decision which best suits the safety of all involved.

*If schools cancel after school activities due to inclement weather and GJDC is already open, we may choose to remain open or close at an earlier time depending on the current situation. Parents must use their best judgement if classes continue and you need to venture out, depending on your location.

*Makeup classes are not available in the event of missed classes due to inclement weather.

What a summer it has been! Our studio was buzzing with energy, movement, laughter and FUN — from summer classes and camps to our amazing August Open House, where we loved welcoming back familiar faces, meeting new GJDC families and celebrating the start of something BIG: Season 25!

But some of our favorite summer moments happened outside the studio, too. We’ve loved celebrating milestones, cheering on our dance families, sharing special moments and simply being there for one another.

Because that’s GJDC. We do so much more than just dance here — and we’re HERE FOR IT! 💜🖤✨

From tiny dancers taking their first steps to families celebrating major milestones, these are the moments that make 25 years so special. And we can’t wait to make even more memories together!

As we celebrate 25 years of GJDC, we’re not just looking back at costumes, choreography and old-school dance photos (although there will DEFINITELY be plenty of those! 😉). We’re going back to the people and moments that helped make GJDC what it is today.

This season, we’ll be catching up with some of our GJDC OGs — the dancers and families who were here “back in the day” — to hear their stories, memories, thoughts and insights on dance and their GJDC journey.

How did dance impact their lives? What did GJDC mean to them? What lessons stuck with them long after they left the studio? What memories still make them smile? And what would they tell today’s dancers?

Because 25 years isn’t just a number… it’s a collection of stories.

And we can’t wait to share them with you. ✨

The memories may be old, but the GJDC spirit is still dancing strong! 💜🖤

This time 25 years ago, I was looking for a dance company for my then 18-month-old little girl to start dancing. I went to Genia’s studio and was met with so much enthusiasm, professionalism, and a clear picture of what to expect. I knew my daughter was young, but I wanted her to have interaction with other children and a place where she could flourish. And boy, did she!

Over the next few years, she became stronger, more confident, and learned how to be responsible in an environment that became like family to both of us. My daughter, Kathryn, was even a flower girl in Genia and Mark’s wedding! I am a real estate agent and, as if that wasn’t enough, I even sold Genia two houses!

Today, 25 years later, my granddaughter, Kalayah, who is 2 years old, is now part of the Genia Johnson Dance Company! To see this second generation experience the same love and walk into a place where she feels loved, safe, and happy is something I will always cherish.

Dance days are our favorite, and dance recitals are our favorite time of the year! The hard work that Genia and all of the dance teachers put into the studio and their dancers truly shines through. It really is a family.

From dance lessons and recitals to dance teams and competitions, everyone works so hard to make coming to dance fun, exciting, and a place for growth. Thank you, Genia, for an amazing 25 years—for supporting not only the dancers and their families, but our entire community.

Congratulations on 25 incredible years! You are so loved! ❤️

- Holly Pond

Office Hours: starting Sept 14th

Monday-Thursday/4-9pm

Friday/4-8pm

Saturday/8-11am

3635 Boulevard, Suite E

Colonial Heights, VA 23834

804-524-9391

DancinGJDC@aol.com

Follow (LOVE) Us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/geniajohnsondanceco

and FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/geniajohnsondanceco