Watch Christine's tap performance from the 2008 Ms. Missouri Senior America Pageant.

Christine LaBlaine DeHart

Artistic Director/Owner/Choreographer

Christine LaBlaine DeHart has spent a lifetime proving that dance doesn't have an age limit. For more than six decades, she has shared that belief as a performer, choreographer, studio owner and instructor. While she has enjoyed performing throughout her career, teaching has always been the heart of her life's work.

Christine began dancing at the age of four and her love of dance has remained a constant throughout her life. Long before opening her first studio, Christine had already discovered her love of teaching. At just twelve years old, she transformed her family's basement into a neighborhood dance studio, charging twenty-five cents a lesson and producing summer recitals complete with handmade costumes, borrowed folding chairs and curtains hung by hand. Even then, she had discovered what would become her life's calling—not simply dancing, but helping others discover the joy of dance.

Professionally trained in St. Louis by Robert and Cookie Duggar, Christine later continued her classical ballet training with James Moore at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

After moving to Wisconsin, Christine opened and operated a successful children's dance studio for more than fifteen years. There she trained dancers of all ages, many of whom went on to perform on Broadway, join professional dance companies and pursue careers as dance educators themselves. Throughout her career, she also choreographed productions across the country and founded ACT III Productions, expanding her work in performance and dance education.

Christine never set out to build one of the country's few dance studios created specifically for adults. When she returned to St. Louis, she expected dance to become a fulfilling retirement career. Instead, she discovered something few people had recognized: adults wanted more than an occasional dance class. They wanted to continue learning, challenge themselves, build lasting friendships and experience the same quality of instruction typically reserved for younger dancers.

That realization led Christine to open Dancing Thru Life in 2007, the St. Louis area's only dance studio dedicated exclusively to adults. Built on the belief that adults deserve the opportunity to continue learning, growing and performing at every stage of life, the studio remains one of only a handful of dance studios in the country dedicated exclusively to adults. Its progressive curriculum guides students from beginner through advanced levels in an encouraging, supportive environment.

In addition to leading Dancing Thru Life, Christine is an accomplished performer and competitor. She was crowned Ms. Missouri Senior America in 2008 and earned Third Runner-Up at the Ms. Senior America Pageant in Atlantic City. She also earned a Senior Olympics Gold Medal in Tap Dance and has coached and choreographed students who have gone on to compete successfully in both the Ms. Missouri Senior America program and the Senior Olympics.

Her commitment to serving others extends beyond the dance floor. Through Dancing Thru Life's annual Performing For Lifeproduction, Christine has transformed a celebration of dance into an opportunity for giving back, with net proceeds benefiting Whole Kids Outreach.

Today, Christine's vision for Dancing Thru Life is more than an adult dance studio. It is a welcoming community where adults are encouraged to challenge themselves, celebrate one another's successes and discover abilities they never imagined they had.

Christine believes God gives each of us the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Some people do so in large ways, others in small ones, but it is those countless small acts that leave the greatest impact. That belief has shaped not only her life as a teacher, but also the community she has built through Dancing Thru Life.

  • Lindsay

    Lindsay has been dancing since the age of three and received her technical training at Krupinski Academy of Dance in St. Louis.

    Lindsay's connection with Christine began long before she joined the Dancing Thru Life. In 1994, her mother met Christine through adult dance classes, and the two quickly became friends, traveling together to performances and dance events. As a young dancer, Lindsay often tagged along, beginning a relationship with Christine that would span decades and eventually lead her to join Dancing Thru Life when the studio opened in 2007.

    After graduating from Truman State University, Lindsay returned to St. Louis and began training with Christine in 2005. When Dancing Thru Life Studio opened in 2007, she joined the faculty and has since become an integral part of the studio's continued growth and success.

    Dance has always been part of Lindsay's life. Her mother was a dance teacher, and she grew up in a home where music and dancing were a regular part of family life. Lindsay is grateful for the opportunity Dancing Thru Life has given her to build friendships with people she may never have met otherwise—friendships that have become one of the most rewarding parts of her time at the studio.

    In addition to teaching and choreographing, Lindsay plays a key role in producing the studio's annual charitable performance, Performing Through Life. Her role extends well beyond teaching, as she also helps coordinate many of the behind-the-scenes details—including backstage operations, lighting, technical production, and production logistics—that bring each performance to the stage.

    Outside the studio, Lindsay is Senior Director of the Business Service Center at Anheuser-Busch, Inc. She and her husband, Jeff, enjoy life with their two sons, Devin and Dylan.

  • Amanda

    Amanda began dancing at the age of two at Merle Scheff School of Dance in St. Louis, where she trained through the age of 18 and earned a place on the studio's competition team. She continued performing throughout high school in musical productions at Ursuline Academy before pursuing a career in medicine.

    Even while attending the University of Missouri, she looked for ways to keep dancing, organizing informal classes with others who shared her passion.

    Although medical school and residency left little time for regular classes, she never gave up dancing whenever she had the opportunity. When she joined Dancing Thru Life in 2012, she found the perfect place to return to a lifelong passion while building lasting friendships. As a family physician with Mercy, dance provides a welcome break from the demands of everyday life.

    She has always loved production numbers and looks forward to choreographing Dancing Thru Life's annual opening number. She enjoys everything from the costumes and theatrical moments to organizing the details that bring each performance to life. If you've ever wondered how everyone ends up in exactly the right place on stage, her color-coded dots are probably part of the reason.

    For Amanda, show day is like Christmas morning. She loves the excitement, the anticipation and every minute spent on stage. Over the years, Dancing Thru Life has brought her lasting friendships. Being on stage remains her ultimate happy place.

  • Angel

    Angel has been dancing since the age of three and began teaching while still in high school. While attending the University of Missouri–Columbia, she performed and choreographed routines for the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.

    She went on to teach tap and jazz for eight years at Jefferson Dance Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she trained students for national competitions and community performances. In 1999, she joined Springfield Dance, Inc. in Springfield, Illinois, where she spent seven years teaching dancers from beginning through advanced levels, launched the studio's adult tap program, developed its tap leveling system and created teacher-training classes for assistant instructors and aspiring dance teachers.

    Her choreography credits include Springfield Muni Opera's productions of Mame and My Fair Lady, serving as guest tap instructor for Springfield Ballet Company and choreographing several opening numbers for Friendship Festival pageants in Canton, Illinois. She has also served as a judge for the Chicago Kids™ Artistic Review dance competition.

    Angel joined Dancing Thru Life in 2015, where she continues to share her love for tap. She is passionate about helping dancers understand how a step works, not just how to perform it. She strives to break down steps and movement in relatable ways, making them easier to understand and execute.

    Outside the dance studio, Angel serves as Hospital Administrator for CareVet Webster Groves Animal Hospital and is a member of the Board of Directors for the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show.

  • Genevieve (Jean)

    Genevieve (Jean) as over 35 years of dance and instruction experience. She began her career in education as a physical education teacher before earning certification through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and teaching fitness classes throughout the St. Louis area.

    In 1989, the opportunity to teach dance at Ursuline Academy united her love of dance with her passion for education and set the course for a career dedicated to helping others discover the joy of dance. Since then, Jean has taught students from preschool through adulthood, including individuals who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, have experienced limb loss or have restricted movement due to physical concerns. Working with students of all ages and abilities has reinforced her belief that, "We all move. Dance is the joy of moving, regardless of our physical limitations."

    Jean joined Dancing Thru Life in 2022.

    She holds a Master's degree in Curriculum and Education and serves as the Department Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Ursuline Academy. She is an active member of the National Dance Educators Organization, where she mentors new K–12 dance educators and serves on the Awards Committee. She also serves as an adjudicator for the Missouri State High School Dance Team Association and is active with the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education, supporting arts education throughout Missouri.

    Her choreography has earned numerous awards and first-place recognitions, and her teams have become known not only for excellence in dance but also for demonstrating positive character and life values.