Starmaker Talent Dance Company in Ringgold was bursting at the seams with its 53 competition dancers in addition to other classes. Owner Elizabeth Hall needed more space for her jumping, tumbling and booty-shaking crew.

A second location in Tunnel Hill has room for all of the competition dancers and room to expand. The majestic log cabin-style facility overlooking a small stream is directly off Interstate 75.

The grand opening of the new studio was held Jan. 5. Many of the students and parents were seeing the studio for the first time, according to Hall.

The entryway leads into a large viewing room for parents. The walls have been painted and decorated to inspire creativity, a must-have for Starmaker dancers. The impressive part of the new location is the size of the dance studio, a massive 8,000-square-foot area.

A mirror-lined wall and special sprung flooring fills most of the area. The sprung floor is padded to help protect the joints of the growing girls and boys in the group. This safety measure costs $10,000, according to Hall.

Hall plans to move the competition dancers to the new location and keep many of the recreational classes at the Ringgold studio. During the grand opening, Hall was enrolling new dancers. With the remaining space in the new location, Hall plans to create more classrooms.

"It needs some TLC (tender loving care), but it has tons of potential," said Hall.

The classes have spring and fall semesters to prepare for two recitals per year. National competitions are held every year and Starmaker dancers are five-time champions. Starmaker Talent Dance Company opened five years ago and has grown every year.

Hall was excited to show off the new facility to the dancers and parents.

"We're like a family," Hall said.

The dance company offers ballet, tap, clogging, hip-hop, jazz and gymnastics. Recreational classes are for ages two through adult. For more information contact the studio at 423-305-2067 or go online to starmaker-talent.com.