For over 45 years, BARBARA THOMPSON SCHOOL OF DANCE, BTSD, has been an award-winning studio in Jacksonville Florida. Founded by Barbara Thompson and co-directed with daughters Paige and Amanda, BTSD specializes in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, gymnastics, and hip hop. BTSD offers a diverse range of classes for aspiring and advanced dancers of all ages including: children, teens, and adults.
Whether a recreational or competitive dancer, the multidisciplinary approach to dance offered at BTSD focuses on health, self-esteem, and teamwork. It is this positive teaching style that benefits dancers of all abilities and has led to the successful history of the studio.
Competitive opportunities for advanced dancers are available through the studio’s audition-based performance groups. Performance groups travel to and compete in local, regional, and national competitions and workshops. Individual scholarships are also awarded at dance competitions and Barbara Thompson dancers are leading scholarship recipients.
BTSD has trained many dancers who have gone on to receive college scholarships and dance professionally. Many of the BTSD dancers who have pursued professional careers in the following venues: television commercials, music videos, industrial shows, national and international dance companies, cruise line and theme park entertainment, Broadway musicals, and dance productions at both the the Oscars and the Grammys.
Several BTSD-trained dancers are also touring with artists including: Madonna, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Nelly Furtado, and Cirque du Soliel --> see where they are now
