Studio 33 was founded in 1990 by Donald and Lydia Decker and is celebrating its Silver Anniversary. Donald and Lydia (known to her students as Miss Lee) began their careers as professional ballroom dance instructors in the late 1950s with both Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray studios in the Chicago, Cleveland, and Kalamazoo area.
The couple took a bit of a break from ballroom dance instruction to raise their four children. Donald finished his degree and opened Artistic Interiors on Portage Road. The two continued to give private lessons periodically in their Artistic Interiors studio.
Once their children were grown, they knew they wanted to get back into the world of ballroom dancing, and Studio 33 Ltd. was born. The original studio was started in their home, 3301 Portage, from whence the enterprise took its name. The studio was so popular they soon knew they’d need a much larger space.
In 1998 the Deckers purchased the Milwood Church of God, only two blocks south of their original location, and spent many hours of blood, sweat, and tears transforming the church into a gorgeous dance studio.
The pride and joy of the studio is the dance floor – a custom designed hardwood floating dance floor from Denmark. Another highlight is the tropical mural you can’t miss as you enter the front lobby. It creates a very tranquil and exotic environment for the dancers.
Donald wanted Studio 33 to be a very special place to come to, both for the quality dance instruction and the atmosphere. He understood that people work hard and life can be difficult, and at times, stressful, and wanted to create a special place for people to come and forget about their troubles, if only for a while.
The instructors at Studio 33 have taught group and private lessons, as well as dance seminars, to thousands of adult men and women, both singles and couples. They have had hundreds of ballroom dance parties on Friday and Saturday evenings. Call or stop by to find out how you can become a part of the Studio 33 family and the exciting world of ballroom dance!