Longtime dancer takes over company

Hirz Dance sets — and becomes — Center Stage

Growing up, Gina Tracy's mother often suspected she had to go to the bathroom.

"When I was little, probably three or four, my mom would be washing dishes or something and my dad built this tile floor," Tracy remembered. "I just would always dance around on it because it was easy with my socks; I could slip around. My mom would always look at me, I'd just be jiving around and she'd go, 'Gina, do you have to go to the bathroom?' And I'd go, 'No,' like thinking, 'Why would she ask me that? Where did that come from?' And then it finally dawned on me, because I danced around so much, she thought I was anxious or something. Finally she goes, 'You know what, we've got to get you in a dance class.' And so she put me in and it just kind of took flight from there."

Indeed.

Now, Tracy is taking over the Hirz Dance Company, located at 212 W. Broadway Ave.

It's a move full circle of sorts for Tracy, who began dancing at the company in 1993, and has been an instructor for the last two years.

Tracy said the move was not a total surprise.

"About two years ago, when I first start instructing for Tina (Hirz), she pulled me alongside," she said. "We went off the side of the road and were having a talk, and she first brought up the idea to me then."

Tracy was hesitant at first, nervous about her ability to do it, but decided to say yes because she didn't think she could pass up the opportunity. Then Hirz decided she wasn't ready to give up the business. After another year, Hirz made the proposal again.

"By that time I was completely ready for the change," Tracy said. "I was excited, I felt confident, so I accepted the responsibility and took her up on the opportunity."

Hirz called leaving the company an extremely hard decision to make, after 12 years.

"My kids have reached an age where they need me after school … and I needed to find a job where I could work during the day and be home for them in the evening," Hirz said. "I'd like to thank the community for all their support in our fund raisers and many trips that we've taken through the years, and for performance opportunities."

But Hirz had good feelings leaving the company with Tracy.

"I'm very excited," she said. "She reminds me of who I was when I started, and I know she'll do great. She's young, enthusiastic and full of new ideas."

The business is in the process of "re-sheetrocking" several walls, painting and its name will be changing to Center Stage Dance.

"When a dancer dances in a competition or a recital, that's usually where they start off, is right in the center of the stage," Tracy explained. "I just like the idea of the spotlight."

Tracy also works as an orthodontic assistant; she said she will continue that as well, ideally.

A workshop scheduled for this weekend was canceled due to the renovations, but other workshops are intended for July, fall registration is in August and then the dance season starts back up Sept. 6.

The company is open to boys and girls aged three to 18, and Tracy said she would like to encourage college students and anybody else looking for an extra curricular activity.

Dates of registration are Aug. 17 and 19 at 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Aug. 21 from noon to 4 p.m.

Summer workshops are July 9, 10, 23 and 24.

More information can be obtained by calling 766-6442.