Dance Addiction YXE Expands to New Studio in Saskatoon's Caswell Hill
Katie and Lorne Jensen, the owners of Dance Addiction YXE, have recently relocated their dance studio to a new, larger space at 819 29th Street West in the Caswell Hill neighborhood of Saskatoon. The move, which took place in April, marks a significant expansion for the studio, which originally started in the couple's basement in 2019.
From Basement Beginnings to a Thriving Studio
The Jensens, who both grew up in small-town Saskatchewan, first met while dancing in 2012. They quickly became dance partners, traveling across Canada and the United States for various dance competitions. After marrying in 2017, they launched their own small dance studio in their basement two years later. Over the past three years, the business has steadily grown, first moving into a larger space while maintaining their home studio, and now expanding again to this new location.
"The scene has been growing and the community here is fantastic and enthusiastic," said Katie Jensen. "We thought this was a really cool opportunity to create a space for our community to grow and learn. We're just really excited to see what it becomes."
Lorne Jensen added that the new studio features a smooth wooden dance floor, which is ideal for partner dancing. "I don't think there really are many good dance floors for partner dancing in Saskatoon," he noted. "But this was ready to go and has a nice smooth wooden dance floor."
A Focus on Community and Versatile Dance Styles
Dance Addiction YXE specializes in west coast swing, a partner dance known for its versatility and adaptability to various music genres, from top 40 hits to hip-hop and blues. The studio also offers classes in nightclub two-step, country two-step, and wedding dances, along with dance nights and workshops.
"We are such a laid-back and relaxed studio," Katie emphasized. "We are really big on building community and positive experiences. It's a low-pressure environment." She mentioned that while the studio may eventually expand into more competitive training, the current focus is on fostering a welcoming atmosphere where people can make friends and enjoy dancing.
Lorne highlighted the social benefits of partner dancing, particularly in today's world. "We keep hearing over and over how lonely people are these days," he said. "And dance and partner dance especially, provides a very social environment. You are one foot in front of the person when you are dancing with them so you kind of have to get comfortable with meeting new people."
Why West Coast Swing Stands Out
West coast swing is unique among partner dances because it allows for musicality and creativity from both the leader and follower roles, unlike more mirrored styles like jive. This versatility enables dancers to express themselves to their favorite music, making it an empowering and engaging activity.
"West coast swing can be danced to just about any kind of music," Lorne explained. "People will be able to dance to their favorite stuff. Giving people the ability to actually move to a song that they like is really empowering. And it opens up social avenues for people."
The Jensens are now booking a broad range of classes and workshops at their new studio, catering to both new and experienced dancers. With their emphasis on community, positivity, and versatile dance styles, Dance Addiction YXE aims to continue growing its presence in Saskatoon's vibrant dance scene.
