Dance is making a groove in Dowagiac as a new studio offers summer classes and public performances.

St. Joseph senior Gabby Sherman, 17, has launched Fierce Dance Academy, located above her mother’s store, The Red Raven. During the last week of 2011, Sherman and her family cleaned, painted and prepared the space for students ready to finish their dance season.

For the summer, Sherman is incorporating shorter instructional classes to give beginners and their parents a chance to see if committing to a full season of dance is right for them.

“This gives parents a chance to what the schedule is without having to commit to something right off the bat,” Sherman said.

The technique classes ran June 11-15. The next class runs July 9-13 and will focus on ballet and tap dance.

“Parents can have their kids sign up for individual classes; they don’t have to take every class offered,” Sherman said. “We’ve already completed technique classes, and we’re getting ready for the next round.”

There will also be pom classes July 30 through Aug. 3, jazz and acro classes Aug. 6-10 and hip-hop and Bollywood classes from Aug. 20-24.

“Students who have taken classes early in the summer will get the chance to perform during Summer in the City,” Sherman said. “Then, we’ll have two more performances at the Rod and Roll Classic Auto Show and Under the Harvest Moon.”

Dowagiac’s Summer in the City is July 26-28. Rod and Roll is slated for Aug. 18 and Under the Harvest Moon is Oct. 13.

“This gives parents a chance to see what the schedule is without having to commit to something right off the bat,” Sherman said.

Typical dance seasons begin a week or two after school starts and last until around May or June, when the students perform a recital.

Sherman said she was excited to get started scheduling choreography and performances for the upcoming year.

“This will be my 14th year dancing,” Sherman said. “I love doing this, and I like pushing my students to be the best they can be.”

Summer classes cost $50 for one week of instruction with a one-time $20 registration fee. Dancers also receive a T-shirt. For more information, visit The Red Raven, 201 S. Front St., Dowagiac, or call Sherman at (256) 289-0774.