Dance Evolution Studios

Dance Evolution Studios offers classical ballet instruction, recreational dance classes, fitness classes, summer camps, and week long day camps. The program also includes meditation and mindfulness practices as part of its activities.

• Ages: 1–18 years old
• Schedule: Week long day camps

Dance Evolution Studios was originally founded in September 2005 as Santa Rosa Dance Theater. The studio was founded by Adele Davalos Mitchell, with Tamara Statkoun serving as the previous Artistic Director until her retirement in 2017. From 2017 through the summer of 2024, the studio was owned and guided by Joshua Trader and his wife, Marit VanderWolde Trader, who brought on Dr. Christa Christianson as the new Owner and Artistic Director and transformed the school into Dance Evolution Studios.

The studio is owned by a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and all faculty members are former professional dancers. The technique taught is designed by the Artistic Advisor, Miss A, who is described as a science-based dance master. Instructors are wellness practitioners and focus on wellness interventions and practices. The stated mission is to use scientific practice and holistic care to help dancers prevent injuries, train smarter, and perform stronger for longer, healthier, and more fulfilling careers and experiences.

Dance Evolution Studios offers a year-long classical ballet curriculum for ages 6–18 in its Academy Division, and recreational dance and fitness classes starting at 12 months old through adults in its Open Division. The studio offers week long day summer camps for ages 5–16 and provides a free trial class. The program includes meditation and mindfulness practices and emphasizes progressive technique and wellness, with goals that include creating strong dancers and individuals, encouraging lifelong ability to dance, creating a family focused environment, promoting mental, physical, and emotional health, making technique and training enjoyable, creating a space for all dancers regardless of age, body, or gender, encouraging personal and professional growth, establishing an environment of peace, and creating a community among DES dancers and family.

Each year, Dance Evolution Studios presents the holiday classic “The Nutcracker,” as well as family-friendly, abbreviated classical ballets in May, featuring their own DES student dancers.

Last updated June 26, 2026.