Since its inauguration six years ago, the dance program at W&L has grown to include a dance minor and expanded academic course offerings. Due to the research interests of its director, W&L Dance has received national attention for its work in aerial dance and is a leader in University aerial dance research and performance. Jenefer Davies, assistant professor of dance and director of the dance program, described the new location as ideal for a dance studio. The building's structure has enabled it to be rigged permanently for aerial dance, making silk ropes, harnesses and bungees available to the dancers at any time. A special sprung floor has been installed to make it safe for dancers to move without injury.

"One amazing attribute of this studio is its size. There is enough room for two large studios and because it's larger than the Keller Theatre, our home performance space, we will be able to transition from rehearsal to performance with ease," said Davies. 

Noel Price, a senior major in Spanish and politics at W&L, said she was shocked at how large the new studio is. "It's absolutely beautiful and it's going to be wonderful to have all this space instead of having to move around different small dance studios," she said. "I've been in love with the dance program since my first year at Washington and Lee. and I have loved watching it grow and change." Wendy Price, assistant dean of the college, was instrumental in the move to downtown Lexington. "The new dance studio makes it possible to meet the demand for more teaching and rehearsal space while also housing faculty offices," she said. "We are thrilled with the result and excited about the future of W&L's dance program in this new space."