Twenty-three years ago, Allison Waguespack and Nikki Baye were learning to distinguish their pirouettes from their plis. Today, while taking a break from putting the finishing touches on their freshly painted dance studio, both agree they have come a long way from their first dance lesson at Margo Battaglia’s Studio of Dance in Thibodaux.

The women created To The Pointe, a new dance studio catering to students ages two and older. Located at 1150 W. Canal Blvd., their studio offers different classes, including tap, ballet, jazz and lyrical. Classes for dance teams and exercise are also offered.

Classes began Tuesday, and Baye and Waguespack held an open house Sunday, which allowed people to see the studio, meet the instructors and win door prizes.

Baye, general studies senior from Thibodaux, says the prices vary depending on which classes students take, but none are more than $48 a month.

Waguespack, art senior from Thibodaux, says she and Baye hope to turn their passion for dance into a successful business.

“I started dancing young. From there, it became a natural talent,” Waguespack says. “I loved to do it and have continued on with it. Hopefully, we can become successful.”

Waguespack says having a partner in the business is helpful while trying to finish school. She says she hopes to incorporate her major into the dance studio by creating more designs for the studio’s advertisements and promotions in addition to the logo she has already created.

Baye says she took fewer classes this semester to aid in the preparation and opening of the studio and doesn’t consider her job to be “work.”

“This is our dream and something we love to do,” Baye says. “We want to make a living helping and teaching.”

Baye began her study of classical ballet at a young age, gaining her first pointe shoes at age six. As she progressed, she grew interested in jazz and competed in many competitions. She danced for Edward Douglas Catholic High School’s dance squad for three years.

Baye was named an American All-Star two years in a row, earning the opportunity to dance at the Millennium Dome in London. She taught at Margo Battaglia’s Studio of Dance for five years, while choreographing for and hosting a summer dance camp for Evergreen Junior High dancers.

Baye credits her mother, Lynne, for her interest in dancing.

“My mom used to teach aerobics when she was pregnant with me, and I used to hear different kinds of music,” Baye says. “I think when I was born, I was already musically inclined. I just took to it and loved it.”

Waguespack danced for the Bayou Belles and the Nicholls Colonelettes. She has taught at different studios, including Stacey’s Dance Studio in Thibodaux and has been a guest choreographer at Denise’s Dance Studio in Houma.

She has also choreographed dances for local junior high and high schools. In addition, she has choreographed for Rock-N-Soul, a south Louisiana production company’s musical revue.

Waguespack and Baye say they will strive to create a fun, laid-back atmosphere for their instructors and students at To The Pointe. The instructors dance as a team and hope their students become part of the close-knit family, they say.

“Our group is like a family, and if one of us isn’t here, it just doesn’t feel right,” Waguespack says.

Waguespack says a lot of work had to be done to turn four white walls into a functioning dance studio, including completely remodeling and furnishing the bathroom, dance floor and waiting room.

In addition to both taking out loans from the bank, Baye and Waguespack say other financial help came from their families, who also provided emotional support, along with their friends and a studio neighbor.

“The Daughters of St. Joseph who live on the corner [of Canal Boulevard] have really inspired us to follow this dream,” Baye says.