#MyPandemicStory: When COVID-19 closed my dance studio, God provided a way

By Tallis Strub 

January 2020 marked a big moment for me in business. I was able to write the first paycheck to myself since becoming the owner of the Des Moines Ballroom Dance Studio. 

Just two months later, I was shutting the doors on the studio in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with no certainty of how and when we could re-open. 

My daily life went from being a part-time, stay at home mom while running a small business and teaching several classes throughout the week, to a full-time stay at home mom with a small business hanging in the balance.  

Dance has been a part of my life since I was quite young, but Ballroom? I picked it up as a hobby while attending Iowa State University. One dip of my toe into the rhinestone pool of the Ballroom dance world and I was hooked. 

In May 2016, I received a Master’s in Dance from the University of Iowa and became a new mom all in the same week! 

My husband and I were talking about relocating to Des Moines at that time, so I was hesitant to start anything major and put down roots where we were. 

Then 18 months passed by and we still hadn’t moved. I had begun to feel like life was passing me by. I’d gone from an exciting career as a teacher and professional performer, to … I wasn’t quite sure. 

I was struggling to find my way; to hear God’s call for “my next thing.”

That’s when my Mom led me through writing out a life plan. It teased out my goals, motivations, skills, and areas for growth, and culminated with a blank page where I was to write out one clear goal. 

I asked God to give me the clarity and courage to be honest about my desires, and for him to lead me to use my skills for His will, not mine. 

When I got to the final page, I wrote “I want to own a ballroom dance studio.” 

Following God’s calling to dance

Fast forward another 18 months. I was now living in Des Moines and having coffee with my friend and previous dance partner. He owned the Des Moines Ballroom dance studio and was looking to relocate it. 

The more we talked, the more we both realized that I really wanted in and he wanted out and I wanted in. It was only about two weeks later that I’d purchased the business and signed a lease for a new space to move the existing studio. 

My husband put his carpentry skills to work and completed a full and gorgeous buildout in 3 weeks. On October 1st of 2018 we opened the doors to the new Des Moines Ballroom dance studio. 

It took the good part of two years for God to answer the prayers around the goal I’d written on that final page of my life plan, but when He finally decided to bring all the pieces together, He did so seamlessly at a rate that only He can work. 

After all of this transpired, I knew I wanted to find a way to give Him glory. At first I thought that meant getting to work and pouring myself into growing this business, and so I did.

Then COVID-19 happened. No more classes at the studio. No more off-site workshops. No more private lessons, and no real foreseeable outcome. 

The first few weeks were unsettling to say the least. It felt like a bait and switch; things had just started to look like we were on the fast track to serious growth. 

In hindsight, I remember several people saying to me that I seemed so cool, calm, and collected during the closures, but under the surface were many fears and doubts. 

I was struggling, I was worried, and I relied heavily on the Lord’s guidance and the support of my closest prayer warriors.  

Turning to prayer -- and listening 

Many fitness and dance studios quickly moved to a virtual format. I resisted at first. It wasn’t something I was familiar with, and I was skeptical about offering dance “virtually.” 

It’s hard to replace the in-person connection when you’re teaching something so tactical. We did end up offering dance classes via Zoom, and there were takers, but many agreed that the in-person format was preferred. 

So what do you do in a pandemic when your business relies on in-person contact? 

I didn’t know, so I prayed. And the same idea kept resurfacing. The idea of offering a high energy, early morning dance class led to classic, hip hop, and pop Christian music. 

It wasn’t Ballroom dancing, but it was something -- a personal way to use dance to praise God. And when God gives you something, I believe it’s worth pursuing. 

I shot an email to a handful of friends and invited them to join me at 6:45 a.m. to dance via Zoom. I prayed that God would lead me, and He did. The responses came back so positive! 

One woman shared: “I've never praised like that and my heart is soaring! I feel lit up after this class, and content in my body!” 

What started as a shot in the dark has developed into a movement practice called ARISE.

The worship class is based on the verse from Isaiah 60:1: “Arise! Let your light shine for all to see. For the spirit of the Lord has risen to shine upon you.”

 No cameras on but mine. We wake. We dance. We praise. It’s not about who’s there, what you’re wearing, or even “doing the right moves.” 

It’s about choosing to start the day with a focus on movement, joy, gratitude, praise, and reverence to an amazing God. 

I am so thankful that in the midst of a pandemic which has threatened the livelihood of my small business, He provides a way -- and hope.

Tallis Strub is the owner of Des Moines Ballroom Dance Studio, which offers youth programs, adult classes, private dance lessons for couples and weddings in the Des Moines, Iowa, area, as well as ARISE, a virtual dance class that leads individuals through Christian worship.