Meet James & Tia Brockington

The Tia Russell Dance Studio (TRDS) is a for-profit arts education program and dance studio in CT servicing the greater New Haven Area founded in 2013. The primary focus for TRDS is to expose and educate students from the inner city and various financial backgrounds to a professional dance education and overall professional development.

TRDS is celebrating 11 years in business offering various styles of dance such as Ballet, Jazz, West African, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, and Acro Dance for beginner and experienced performers.

Ballet is mandatory for all students under the age of 18. TRDS is known for various styles of dance; however, Ballet is the foundation of dance, and we believe each student should have a strong foundation. Our students do well in the other styles of dance offered at TRDS because Ballet is the foundation.

But the Tia Russell Dance Studio is about much more than dance. Students audition for acting roles, engage in leadership training, and are provided with social and life skills through weekly classes and monthly group meetings. There is a genuine love and concern for the well-being of our students and their growth. TRDS is a proud black-owned business and offers an experience that lacked in the New Haven black and brown communities.

Aside from school activities, there weren’t many activities for young children, preschool age, to enjoy with their parents. TRDS offers a Dance With Me class for students ages 18 months-2.5 yrs. which offers the opportunity for young performers to bond with their parents and share an experience that promotes love, family and togetherness.

When you look at TRDS as a whole, you’ll see a place where every child is taught about endless opportunities and a safe place that families trust. We contribute part of the rapid growth of TRDS to trust earned by our students, families and community.

TRDS was established to create a professional dance business that will develop performers and give each dancer an equal opportunity. Our motto is, “Developing Dancers, Creating Legends”. TRDS is a business that meets each student and their individual ability and develops their technique and skill.

Each of the classes offered at TRDS is divided by levels, ability, and maturity. Each student receives the necessary attention they need to grow and develop dance skills at their individual pace without pressure and intimidation. TRDS is a fun environment and classes ages 8 and under have themed weeks with fun activities. Our preschool age classes incorporate fun activities throughout each class that promotes learning through playing and dancing. Each monthly lesson is themed, and students participate in a monthly dress up day based on the monthly theme. Contact us to learn more or enroll in one of our dance classes today.