Margaret Edmonds trains all her students as though they were going to become professional dancers, knowing full well that 99% of them will not.

Nevertheless, the youngsters who attend classes at Dance Connection are amply rewarded. "Dance Connection is a special place to come, to do special things and have fun learning," Margaret says. "They meet when they're young and dance together as a team, possibly throughout high school. Since they come from schools all over the city, they develop a camaraderie with girls they might never have met otherwise."

At least one of Edmonds' pupils has gone on to dance professionally. Michelle Hill toured with a company out of Branson, Mo., and is now pursuing a dance career in New York City. Another former student, Kasi Kirkpatrick, is now studying dance at Texas Women's University, hoping to have a professional career.

Margaret, along with faculty members Tina Cass and Courtney Strickland, teaches ballet, jazz, tap and hip-hop from age 3 through high school and sometimes into the college years. Cass holds a degree in dance from Texas Tech, and Strickland is a graduate of Dance Connection.

The studio presents two performances each year, one in the spring and one during the Christmas season. The Christmas performance alternates each year between "Nutcracker Magic," a children's version of "The Nutcracker Ballet," and a tap, jazz and hip-hop presentation with free-will proceeds donated to The Empty Stocking Fund.

Students dance on a specially constructed floor with thousands of foam inserts beneath keeping them off the concrete. "The floor gives just the right amount," Margaret says.

Dance Connection offers a line of dancewear, including tap, jazz and ballet shoes, dance bags, clothes and tights in a variety of sizes for parents' convenience.

Dance Connection is located at 1541 JBS Parkway in the breezeway of Old Town Plaza. Parking is available in the rear. Hours are from 2:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.