A dance studio started almost a year ago by two friends has outgrown its first home and moved into a larger space.

Peyton Jones and Emilie Kennedy with some of their students last year.

Emilie Kennedy and Peyton Jones founded Releve Studios in March 2017 and started classes in June, renting a room at Wings Gymnastics Academy on Bahnson Avenue near 69th Street.

“We could use the room only one day a week, so we were teaching classes back-to-back from 4 to 9 p.m.,” Kennedy said. “We were ready to expand to a bigger space.”

The new studio space during registration week.

They found the former Lost Marbles Antiques location at 1821 S. Minnesota Ave. Now, in the four-level space, Releve – a ballet term that means a rise to the toes from the flat foot – has room for a bigger studio, dressing areas and offices.

Classes start Jan. 8. Kennedy and Jones will provide instruction in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and lyrical dance for children through age 18. They have a class based on motor skills development for toddlers.

“We also have a couple of adult punch-card classes,” Kennedy said. “Those are more of an exercise-based dance class. We turn the lights down, so if you’re self-conscious, that lets you get out of your bubble. We do stretching, exercise dance and cardio dance.”

Classes are offered Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights in spring, summer and fall sessions, with recitals at the end of each period. Offering more sessions provides flexibility for students who might be busy with another activity during part of the year, Kennedy said.

Students can join a class up to the point where they start learning pieces for the recital.

For information on classes, email [email protected].