A story that began with five students

In 1971, Deborah began teaching five students in her mother Carolyn Messinger’s Beaverton garage. From there, the school grew into a beloved Portland-area studio.

Over the decades, DMSD dancers have performed in recitals, fairs, competitions, and community events. The school’s performing group was invited to the 1999 World Expo in Seoul, Korea, and former students have gone on to professional dance, teaching, Broadway, and Cirque du Soleil.

That history matters because it was built one class, one teacher, and one family at a time.