Waiting in the wings was their daughter, Vicky Hollingsworth Vinchattle, who rebranded the renowned dance academy VDA Powerstars Dance and Gymnastics.

And when Hollingsworth Vinchattle was looking for another accomplished coach to help with her new endeavor, she didn’t have to look far either, adding her daughter, Tiffany DeCastro, as one of the main coaches and teachers on the staff.

VDA Powerstars occupies the same space that Hollingsworth School of Dance called home for decades. The building at 721 S. 25th St., is still undergoing some changes as it moves into a new era.

“It was just an easy transition when my parents were ready to step back and hand it over to us,” said Hollingsworth Vinchattle. “I’ve taught dance for 38 years and Tiffany came home from Los Angeles and has been working here too since we opened.”

-Messenger photo by John McBride
The studio at VDA Powerstars has undergone some changes since reopening in the space once housed by Hollingsworth School of Dance and Gymnastics. Vicky Hollingsworth Vinchattle opened the studio after her parents retired.

Given their family background, it’s not surprising that both Hollingsworth Vinchattle and DeCastro both sport impressive resumes.

Hollingsworth Vinchattle began her dance and gymnastics training at the age of 5 under the direction of her parents. She’s a certified aerobics instructor along with being a competition judge.

She’s also led both the Prairie Valley dance team and then the Southeast Valley dance team.

She’s a member of the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association and a member of the Amateur Athletic Union. And she’s a safety certified coach with the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association.

She’s also helped choreograph several musicals and swing choirs and served on the Gowrie Arts Council.

-Messenger photo by John McBride
The studio at VDA Powerstars has undergone some changes since reopening in the space once housed by Hollingsworth School of Dance and Gymnastics. Vicky Hollingsworth Vinchattle opened the studio after her parents retired.

She’s had dance studios in Gowrie, Fort Dodge, Lake City and Rockwell City over the course of her career.

DeCastro is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher with more than 20 years of classical dance training and an extensive professional resume.

She earned her B.A. with Triple Threat Major in dance, theater and vocal from Oklahoma City University. She has studied ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, vocal and theater.

She’s worked professionally as an instructor, performer, model, choreographer and producer in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami and has toured all over England.

She’s certified in Acrobatic Arts and Youth Protection Advocate in Dance Certified. She’s also a member of the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association and is certified in CPR.

Oh, and just because her parents have stepped away from the studio, it didn’t affect their desire to keep coaching, as well. In fact, Roger Hollingsworth was recently named Coach of the Year for USTA. He was nominated and selected by the Iowa Coaches.

Hollingsworth Vinchattle has taken on this new adventure while also running Vicky’s Dance Academy in Gowrie. VDA Powerstars offers several dance classes, gymnastic classes and cirque classes. Dance classes and tumbling are offered at Vicky’s Dance Academy and Tumbling in Gowrie.

“I have seven employees. It was just a matter of getting everybody in the right place at the right time with the right classes.” Hollingsworth Vinchattle said of the transition to two studios. “Once we had all of that figured out it was pretty smooth sailing. I was pretty happy how everything worked out this year.”

Both studios held their year-ending recitals in May. Vicky’s Dance Academy had its recital in Gowrie at Southeast Valley High School while VDA Powerstars had its recital at the new Iowa Central Center for Performing Arts.

“We were the first dance studio to have a recital at Iowa Central’s new auditorium,” said Hollingsworth Vinchattle. “It’s just an unbelievable place. But I do appreciate the hometown feel of the recital in Gowrie. I think it’s important for them to have their recital there.”

It was also almost fate as well, according to Hollingsworth Vinchattle. The night of the recital at Iowa Central, her father told her that Hollingsworth was the first dance studio to hold a recital at the college decades ago.

Hollingsworth Vinchattle and her daughter are stressing the educational aspect of dance. They’re also hoping to continue to bring affordable programs to families that want to be a part of the dance community.

VDA Powerstars and Vicky’s Dance Academy offer both competitive and noncompetitive classes. Hollingsworth Vinchattle said she wants to offer both because not everyone wants to be involved in competitions.

“We’re an all-inclusive studio,” said Hollingsworth Vinchattle. “We offer something for everyone whether they want to be competitive or they just want to take a jazz or ballet class and they’re non interested in anything other than having fun.”

“Some people want their child to aspire to be a professional and we have the knowledge and education to do that, but some people just want to come and have fun,” DeCastro added.

Students in all the classes range from two years old up to 18 year olds.

Even though both studios held their recitals for the year-long classes, there are plenty of summer opportunities. Several dance classes and camps are being held starting in June and running into July at VDA Powerstars and at Vicky’s Dance Academy in Gowrie. Information for all the camps can be found at www.vdapowerstars.com and www.vickysdanceacademy.com.