Even during Gina’s rise as a professional performer, choreographer, and studio manager, she had always maintained a love for teaching the young dancer. She had created and instructed unique programs for 3, 4, and 5 year olds at Dan and Company Studios in Tucker and Dunwoody, Georgia. Gina first offered her program on-site for child care centers in 1980, and continued to do this on a small scale through the early 80’s, while continuing to perform, choreograph, and instruct. After marrying and moving to Charlotte, NC in 1985, she chose not to open a studio, but to focus almost entirely on developing and offering on-site dance programs to churches, private schools, and child care centers. Gina began hiring and training professional instructors as she expanded her business.
Gina sold her North Carolina business in 1992, returned to the Atlanta area, and began the business anew. The quality of her program, coupled with her dedication to hiring only the most qualified instructors, created a very satisfied core of clientele. Parents were thrilled to have quality dance instruction available without having to transport their children, and directors enjoyed the advantage of having a professional organization enhance their program at no cost. As word spread, the demand for CREATIVE MOVEMENT AND DANCE® grew exponentially. It became apparent that Gina had created a new market for dance instruction, as more child care facilities, and now parks and recreation organizations searched for ways to improve their programs.
To augment the classroom training, many parents expressed an interest in having the tools for their children to train and rehearse at home. Gina embarked on a project in 2004 to create original music to accompany her acclaimed syllabus. One year later, her CD, Ballerinas On The Move was unveiled – a perfect accompaniment to the classroom program.
Recognizing the need to offer programs for athletes, Gina began working with experts in kinesiology and sports instruction, and in 2006 introduced Little Champ Sports. This gives an opportunity for parents of boys and girls to help develop coordination and skills necessary as a foundation for a broad range of sports.
In 2003, CREATIVE MOVEMENT AND DANCE® offered its first licensed territory in the Atlanta metro area. Currently, there are six licensed territories, now including South Carolina. The company has expanded its offerings from the basic tap and pre-ballet, to now offer Little Champ Sports, Hip-Hop, Mother Goose, instructional CD’s, and dancewear.