Mission & Values
With more than 30 years in the business,
Mary Lorraine's Dance Center is one of the best dance studios in Omaha. Providing students with proper dance technique taught by qualified professionals, in a nurturing environment, and at affordable rates. Parents in West Omaha, Millard, Papillion, Elkhorn, Gretna, and Ralston bring their students to MLDC.
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MLDC Values:
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Providing age-appropriate costuming,
dance moves, & music
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Teaching discipline through dance
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Instilling respect & responsibility in students
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Providing families with organized communication
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Maintaining beautiful, clean, spacious dance studios
Sharing the love of dance as a form
of expression & well-being
31 Years of
Business in Omaha
1990: The Beginnings
Mary Lorraine opened the doors to MLDC in 1990. We were located at 108th and Q in a small one room studio. Mary Lorraine had an entrepreneurial drive and a desire to provide quality dance in Omaha.
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Read more about Mary Lorraine's background here.
1997: We Expand!
We expanded to two studio rooms and continued to gain students. With the ability to have two studios running at the same time we were able to introduce new curriculum, styles, and bring on additional qualified staff. We had an aerobics program... it was the 90s afterall!
1996-2001: Growing
While running MLDC full-time, Mary Lorraine also started Omaha's first Tap and Jazz company. Mid-America Theater Dance Company performed original works throughout Omaha, while giving talented dancers the opportunity to dance professionally.
2004: Let the competition begin!
MLDC decided to challenge enthusiastic dancers by starting a competitive team. We began competing solos and group numbers! At this time MLDC also became a PAYBAC partner with Millard Public Schools. Mary Lorraine received the "Trailblazer" Award in 2003 and "Stakeholder" for 2004-2005 from the Millard Public School District.
2007: We move!
After having a second satellite studio, MLDC had outgrown its space and built 3 beautiful studios in our current location in Millard. Our students and families LOVE the new space! MLDC also received the Better Business Bureau Excellence in Customer Service 2006-2007.
2013-2019: The award years
MLDC gets recognized! We won "Small Business of the Year" in 2013 from Millard Business Association, in 2016 the "Three Best Award" for the top dance school in Omaha, the "Impact Award" from Impact Dance in 2017 for our community service, "2018 Omaha Award" for Dance Schools, "Best of Omaha Award" for the best dance studio Omaha in 2019. Our Competitive team continued to take home awards at Omaha Dance Competitions!
2020: Happy Birthday!
We celebrated 30 Years of Business! Before the pandemic, we threw a big party for 30 years of dance classes in Omaha! In the spring we switched to virtual dance classes in order to keep our dancers safe during the pandemic but returned to the studio with safety measures in place.
2021: the future
We again won a "Best of Omaha" award in 2021 and 2022 for the Best Dance Studio in Omaha! We continue to provide dance to the next generation and remain positive even amid a pandemic! In 2021 the MBA awarded us the LANDMARK award in Millard. We were also rated the "THREE BEST" dance schools in Omaha. MLDC was also rated by "Expertise" in the Top dance studios in Omaha! It is nice to be recognized with awards but most importantly, our parents and children feel loved, supported and INSPIRED!
