In the greater Warsaw community, Debra Collier’s name has become synonymous with dance. For Collier, dance has been a part of her life since age 7, when she was asked to choose between dance class and Girl Scout troop. Before long, she was assisting her dance teacher while still a high school student in Zionsville, teaching younger children the finer points of ballet, tap and jazz.

“I always knew that I wanted to be a dance teacher, and my parents never said that it wasn’t a viable career choice. They were very supportive,” she said.

Set to take over the Zionsville dance studio after high school, she was equally parts devastated and excited when after marrying her high school sweetheart, the couple had to move to Warsaw. Instead of taking over a studio, she started her own in her new home’s basement.

At it since 1977, Collier is still in love with teaching dance.

“To see a child pick up a technique, to see that light bulb go off and for a child to gain poise and self-confidence – that is what makes it worth it,” she said. “Dance has always been such a significant part of my life and I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to share this passion with students. It’s exciting to see the joy and sense of accomplishment they feel when they dance.”

Her son, Chase, danced when he was younger, but didn’t follow after his mother. As an adult, he does help in the sound booth during dance recitals.

“No one on my staff nor I had girls,” Collier laughed. “But thankfully we get to work with a lot of girls.”

Collier just finished her term as the president of the National Association of Dance Masters, headquartered in Chicago. She helped organize that organization’s 100th anniversary banquet this past year.

When not teaching, she enjoys kayaking, pilates and yoga. This month, she and her husband will head to the Indy 500, a tradition they’ve shared every year since their high school days. Collier also enjoys heading to see shows featuring former students.

“I recently went to the Dance for Life fundraiser for AIDS in Chicago, featuring a former student who choreographed it. He was the artist award recipient and is very successful,” she said. “I love going to live performance and it’ll all the more special if you know someone in it.

“I can’t even imagine doing anything other than dance,” said Collier, who also choreographs high school productions and leads dance programs in the community, including at Warsaw’s First Fridays each month. “Once you dance it’s always in you.”