VADO was born in 2011 when a group of parents decided to create an organization that would provide dance instruction for people in the Vermillion community. VADO began with thirty-five students and four instructors teaching Ballet, Tap, and Dance Team.
With a mission to provide dance instruction and performance opportunities to people of all ages, abilities, and income, VADO’s classes began in the basement of City Hall. Soon after, Sanford Hospital offered use of an empty medical building at no charge. Floors were built, ceilings raised, mirrors and barres were brought in. By 2016, VADO was bursting at the seams and knew it was time for a bigger studio and time to hire permanent staff!
With the generous support of the Vermillion community, VADO moved into their beautiful new dance studio at 13 E. Cherry Street, built almost entirely by volunteers. An Executive Director and Studio Manager were hired to manage the growing numbers of dancers and the ever-expanding classes offered to the community.
With over forty classes, ten instructors, and two hundred students, VADO offers Ballet, Tap, Hip hop, Jazz, Dance Team, Tumbling, and Contemporary. VADO also has Creative Movement for our youngest dancers, Ballet and Hip hop for adults, as well as a class for adults with special needs. VADO offers a variety of Yoga classes throughout the week taught by our certified yoga instructor. Performance Dance Team performs at community events throughout the year and a full-scale production Spring Recital is held at the Vermillion High School each year in May.
VADO is a 501c3 organization and is grateful for community and corporate partners including USD, Sesdac, Vermillion High School, the Vermillion Community Foundation, and the South Dakota Arts Council.
It’s an amazing story celebrating the joy of dance and the love of a community. But this story isn’t over yet. VADO has big plans!
