"A time to laugh...and a time to dance," when we can all be together without fear and without reserve.

The once small world of dance has exploded into a culture all its own and into one that we are all a part of. One aspect of this new culture has manifested itself in a jammin' studio in Boulder, Colorado. Dance West, since first conceived in the Spring of 1993 by Lee Klinger, has become a central passion of some 6000+ dancers! Lee is an amazing man himself, who has turned a heartfelt dream into a tangible reality, and an extremely successful one at that.

Influenced by his mother's studio, Lee began his dancing career while very young. Excelling in acrobatic and freestyle skiing, he danced throughout college and graduate school in many states and places, and is now an established bogman with a PH.D. in Global Ecology and a studio all his own. He recalls a funk class in Toronto that was so awesome, people were so eager to start that they actually ran onto the floor from the street outside. "I was totally challenged...I thought, I really want to be able to do that someday." That someday happened the Spring of '93 while Lee was driving in Wyoming and the decision to open a studio was conceived. He just knew,"This is the right time."

Of course, Lee's studio would be unlike any other. He made it very clean and of excellent quality, with an awesome stereo. The most important aspect of the studio is the floor, which is modeled after the design in the Lincoln Center in New York City. Lee was so intent on having the floor done to perfection that he and some friends put it in themselves. Along with this, Lee has all local investors who are also friends of his. Being so inspired and having danced for so long, Lee realizes how important visibility is. He willingly paid extra for a central Boulder location--a place where people can walk by and peek in. Instead of just hearing the music, the dancing can actually be seen through the windows by people walking along the street.

As well as keeping class summaries and computerized books, Lee's staff is among the best. His high-paid instructors are granted artistic freedom, and their talent is extraordinary. He has a great director, Donna, who coordinates, schedules, and puts together workshops, along with Pam, who takes care of all the details.

The true uniqueness of Dance West really shines through with the atmosphere there. Everyone is welcome. Lee also emphasizes that men have their place in the studio along with the women. Each have their own separate changing rooms, and the whole studio design is unisexual. All people are encouraged to stop in and watch classes from the balcony above the dance floor, and the no attitude ideal is really enforced. Lee points out the difference between "attitude" and "an attitude." Dancers need to be confident, but they also need to respect others' space and talent. With this whole concept comes a truly relaxed and fun atmosphere, and while watching the dancing, you can't help but groove a little to the beat!

Another wonderful aspect of Dance West is the diversity of classes. There is a mixture of adult and kid classes, with the adult ones being the biggest draw. There are parent/child, preschool, elementary, teen, adult, and even senior classes. The styles of dance range from Ballet and Jazz to Hip Hop and African. With such a variety, it's no wonder everybody can find something they love here.

Now, with all this hype about dance, you might think, What is a scientist like Lee doing owning a dance studio? Lee opens our eyes to a wonderful realtionship betwwen art and science. Science is creativity. Science is art. With so much emphasis on technology nowadays, it's easy to dismiss art as secondary. Lee is helping re-establish this link. His studio is a "creative outlet" where the best of the science and art worlds blend together. It's a scientist's laboratory and an artist's vision come to life.

As for future plans, Lee has plenty. His major goal is to have a performance outlet. The adult Jazz Divas and the Hip Hop dance troop Millennium are already performing. He's starting more non-profit dance companies like Culture Corps and 4/5 Kid's Company. Lee also wants to open up another studio in the future. It is yet another marvelous dream--how fantastic a second Dance West will be! Ever since it opened on March 2, 1994, people have flooded the doors of Dance West. "We've been busy ever since!" Isn't it about time you get busy checking this place out?!