The 8th Count (T8C) Dance Center is poised to begin their 18th year in a new location, and they can’t wait to show it off to area dance families. Their move from their long-time location in the plaza near Garrettsville Cinema this summer to their new home inside the YMCA, provides bright, new spaces to better serve their students and families.
Being at the YMCA isn’t a huge change, however. “Kim Curry (Operations Director at the YMCA) has let us use the auditorium for performances since 2020,” explained Shanelle Waggoner (Owner and instructor at T8C). When building issues and the need for additional studio space was needed, the YMCA was a natural choice for us.
When the dance studio’s original location was closed due to flooding last year, Curry opened the YMCA’s doors on a temporary basis so that dance classes could continue without interruption. “Kim has been very generous with us,” Waggoneer shared. “She’s been great at helping us navigate the changes and make the new space our own.”
Shanelle started taking classes at 8th Count as a student at James A. Garfield Elementary in 1988. She began teaching there after high school, then she and her husband Rick took over the operation in 2009. She shared that T8C has been ‘quite the legacy,’ not just for her, but for the countless students who have danced through the doors over the years.
In addition to teaching classes and running the dance studio with her husband, the couple’s four children are also involved at the studio. And as if that isn’t enough to keep Shanelle on her toes, she’s also a full-time teacher at Mentor City Schools as well.
“The move has been bittersweet, Waggoner admitted. “We had been in our other space almost two decades,” she shared. During that time, T8C has amassed quite a large collection of costumes, props, and competition trophies, which have all been lovingly boxed up and moved to their new spaces on the second floor of the YMCA (8233 Park Avenue). In fact, the trophy count increased again in early July, when Sanura Oliver and Mercedes Baker won awards for ‘top 13 and over call back champion’ recognition at Nationals in New Jersey.
As a schoolteacher, Waggoner was concerned about securing the new studio space on the YMCA upper level, keeping it separate from regular building traffic to maintain student safety. She noted that prior to fall classes, the floor will be partitioned off from the rest of the building and augmented with cameras, creating one main, secure entrance for dancers and their families. “Our goal is to keep kids where they need to be and keep outside people out.”
Teachers Miss Katie, Miss Lilia, Miss Sidney, Miss Bessie, Mr. Eli, Miss Stevie and student teachers Miss Madalyn and Miss Sanura will be joining Waggoner at their new, brighter space. Higher ceilings will provide the acro classes with more opportunity to move.
But just as at their former location, they’ll have classes in clogging (with the Walnut Hill Cloggers), hip hop, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro, musical theater, barre intensity for tiny tots through adults. They’ll continue to offer classes for beginner and advanced students in a family-friendly environment. With higher ceilings, better lighting, and tons more dance space, the new studio is in an excellent position to embark on their 18th year in Garrettsville.
“It’s been really rewarding,” Waggoner admitted, “watching our students gain skills and grow in their abilities through the years.” She continued, “And once they turn 16, they’re able to lead classes under a mentor. This gives them a break on class fees, and also the opportunity to grow as they mentor younger students.” This is a cooperative agreement that has been successful over the last 17 years, and one T8C will continue to employ as they embark upon the next decade as well.
In addition to providing a new home for area dance enthusiasts, the YMCA provides a special membership rate for dance families. “It’s definitely a perk of our new location,” Waggoner explained, “since parents can drop off their kids for dance class, then get in their own workout while they wait.”
The new space will be dance-ready for their open house events, which take place on July 28 & 30th and August 4th & 6th (Tuesdays and Thursdays) from 5 – 8 pm. Classes for fall begin on September 8th. Mark your calendar to come see T8C in their new and improved space during the open house events in late July and early August.
The 8th Count is located at 8233 Park Avenue (inside the YMCA) in Garrettsville. Call (330) 432-3928 or visit the8thcount.com for more information.
