Life & Work with Sierra Roe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Roe.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started dancing at the age of three years old at Vicki Jo Dance Studio in Miamisburg, OH. By the time I was six years old, I was asked to be on a complete team. I competed until my senior year and had years of competing as a soloist and also competed twice in Miss. Dance of Ohio. Dance was something I absolutely loved and I wanted to start my own dance studio one day. After high school, I ventured out to New York City and explored an even larger world of dance and musical theatre that I fell in love with! 

While visiting family back at home in Ohio, Vicki Furnas asked me to come back to the studio and teach a few classes. Well… that turned into teaching several classes and 10 years later, Vicki was announcing her Retirement at our 60th dance recital while handing me the keys to my new life as the owner of Vicki Jo Dance Studio. 

This coming up dance season will be my fifth year as the owner. We moved the dance studio into a larger space in the heart of downtown Miamisburg where the studio is growing yearly, and we are more involved with our amazing community. Our dance family helped build the location we are now at. We have a beautiful waiting area for parents and three dance floors! 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The five years I have been the owner, have been the hardest of my life. I took over the business in 2019. Had a wonderful first year, but so much to learn. Not only am I teaching over 20 classes a week, but I had to learn to become a smart and proud business owner. Then COVID hit in 2020. We all know what that felt like. The unknown was scary. I was not ready to give up and close my business. I had too many goals and dreams left. 

I pushed through with the help of my business-savvy husband, Jordan Roe, and the support of my current dance family. We did Zoom classes, YouTube classes, at-home contests to keep the dancers connected to us, and the list goes on. With the world slowly opening back up, we did too. Getting back into the studio was strange. The amount of money I spend on cleaning the supplies was crazy! We wore masks and danced in 6 x 6 squares to keep everyone safe. 

The minute I had a bad day or doubted myself, I would get a text message from a student to cheer me up. Or a card in the mail from a parent with kind words of encouragement. I owe it all to them. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Taking over a dance studio that has been a staple to Miamisburg, OH has been an honor. The Vicki Jo Dance Studio has been teaching dance education since 1958. VJDS has a rich dance history that brings in generation after generation. With a wide offering of dance styles, our professional, well-educated staff teaches ballet, tap, jazz, acrobat, musical theatre, and hip hop. We offer affordable tuition and a place for students to grow… and dance. Additionally, we run outstanding summer programs and dance camps. We now have four competition teams and a production competition team. We continue to add new classes offered each year such as yoga and mommy and me classes. We are known for hosting awesome events such as Glow Nite, Parents Night Out, Holiday Themed dance nights, and more! 

Victoria Jo Boyer started the studio in 1958. VJDS is known for our tap kick line- think Rockettes! Vicki Furnas took over the studio in 1993 and became the 2nd owner. Vicki carried the traditions and ran the studio for over 20 years. Still to this day we compete with our one-of-a-kind Kickline! 

Vicki Jo and Vicki are still heavily involved at the dance studio. Just this past year, all three of us teachers taught on Monday nights! Sierra taught in studio one, Vicki Furnas taught in studio two and Vicki Jo Boyer taught in studio three! Having these amazing women still present in my life and at the dance studio has been such a blessing and is rare to see! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I really put my faith in God. What’s meant to be is meant to be. My journey, the ups, the downs, everything happens for a reason and this journey continues to make me a stronger woman each day. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.vickijodancestudio.com
• Instagram: thevickijodancestudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VickiJoDanceStudio/?ref=page_internal

Image Credits Tara Lewis Photography