Meet Summer
Hi, I'm Summer Stevens!
Dance has always been at the center of my life. I started dancing when I was 3 years old, and growing up, I had the unique opportunity to watch my mom build and run a dance studio. That gave me a firsthand look at the passion, dedication, and countless behind-the-scenes moments that make a studio truly special. From long days at the studio to conventions, competitions, recitals, and performances, the dance world has shaped who I am.
For the past 12 years, I've had the privilege of teaching dance while continuing to grow my passion for the business side of the industry. As the Creative Engagement Director at Danceworks Dance Studio, I've spent the last 8 years leading social media, marketing, branding, graphic design, events, and creative strategy. That role has given me firsthand experience in what it takes to build a thriving studio, not just in the classroom, but behind the scenes as well.
As my career has grown, so has my passion for helping studios succeed beyond the stage. I've had the opportunity to serve as a dance instructor, choreographer, studio leader, social media manager, graphic designer, and marketing strategist, giving me a well-rounded understanding of the many hats studio owners wear every day.
Today, I combine those experiences through Summer Studio Strategy, where I help dance studios shine brighter through thoughtful strategic marketing, social media management, website design, and studio consulting. My goal is to help studio owners spend less time feeling overwhelmed by the behind-the-scenes responsibilities and more time doing what they love—teaching, creating, and inspiring their students.
I believe great marketing is about more than beautiful graphics or viral videos. It's about telling your story, building trust with families, strengthening your studio culture, and creating a brand that reflects the heart of your business.
I'm also proud to serve on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Teachers of Dancing (TATD), where I continue to support dance educators and help strengthen the dance community that has given me so much throughout my life.
Whether we're creating a stronger studio vision & culture, refreshing your website, developing a marketing strategy, or celebrating your dancers through choreography, my mission is simple: to help studios shine brighter—both behind the stage and on stage.
My Why…
Summer Studio Strategy exists because of my mom.
Growing up, I had a front-row seat to something really special. I watched my mom take a dream and turn it into a dance studio that became so much more than a place to take classes. It became a home, a family, and a community for so many students. I watched her pour her heart into every recital, every class, every student, every conversation with parents, and every decision she made to help her studio grow.
She didn't just teach dance: she built relationships, inspired confidence, and created a place where students felt seen and loved. She also dedicated so much of her life to the dance community, serving on the Texas Association of Teachers of Dancing (TATD) Board of Directors, including as President. Through her leadership, she helped plan conventions that gave students the opportunity to learn from nationally recognized choreographers and instructors, provided dance educators with opportunities to grow in their craft, and fostered a supportive community for dance teachers and studio owners across Texas. I grew up going to this convention as a student and now get to give back to the dance family my mom introduced me to.
For a long time, I thought my chapter in the dance world had come to an end. If you had asked me ten years ago what I'd be doing today, I never would have imagined this path.
But after my mom passed away unexpectedly in 2018, I felt something I couldn't ignore. The door to the dance world was still open.
Today, I have the privilege of combining everything I've learned through teaching, choreography, marketing, leadership, and studio operations to help dance studios grow and thrive. Every studio owner I work with reminds me of the passion I watched growing up, and it's an honor to support them behind the scenes so they can continue making a difference in the lives of their students.
Summer Studio Strategy is more than a business to me. It's an opportunity to continue building on my mom's legacy while helping other studio owners create the same impact I was lucky enough to witness firsthand.
Helping studios shine brighter isn't just my tagline—it's my purpose.
