Our Mission
Take 5 Dance inspires confidence and creativity in a caring environment where every dancer feels like family.
Our Vision
We aim to create a welcoming dance community where students of all ages and levels can grow as dancers and individuals.
Through dedication, creativity, and connection, we nurture a lifelong love of dance and build confidence that shines both on and off the stage.
Our Core Values
-
Care – Every dancer feels seen, valued, and encouraged.
-
Creativity – We encourage dancers to explore, imagine, and express themselves in every class.
-
Community – We celebrate teamwork, kindness, and connection.
​​
-
Confidence – We empower dancers to take pride in their growth and shine on stage and beyond.
​​
-
Commitment – We provide consistent, high-quality dance instruction while respecting the balance of school, family, and other activities, supporting dancers and families every step of the way.
Our Story:
​
Jesslyn Truax - Director
With decades in the dance industry and now entering my 25th year as a studio owner, my passion for teaching remains as strong as ever. There’s nothing I love more than being in the classroom—helping dancers grow, build confidence, and feel safe expressing themselves through movement.
​
Dance has been a part of my life since the age of two, when I began training at Denise Lester Dance Academy. As a competitive dancer there, my group was called Take 5—a name that stuck with me and later became the foundation for my own dance studio.
​
Take 5 started in a single-room, 600-square-foot space, but it quickly outgrew those walls. Within a year and a half, we moved into a 1,600-square-foot studio, and in 2014, we found our forever home: a 5,000-square-foot space in Oshawa. Now, to celebrate our 25th season, I’m thrilled to be expanding to a second location in Campbellford, Ontario, bringing Take 5’s philosophy to even more dancers and families.
​
As a leader and role model, I strive to provide the highest quality dance education while fostering a warm, welcoming environment. I believe in balancing dance with family time, school, jobs, and other extracurriculars, which is why I’ve curated a hybrid program model that allows dancers to pursue their passion without sacrificing other important parts of their lives.
At Take 5, we pride ourselves on building lifelong friendships and nurturing a supportive, family-like atmosphere. For so many dancers, Take 5 isn’t just a studio—it’s a home away from home.
​
The dance world is continuously evolving, that is why I strongly believe continuing your dance education as a teacher is extremely important. I am a proud member of the GOLD ALLIANCE 2.0 mentorship as well as the Studio Owners Alliance. I am an associate member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance and Acrobatic Arts.
​
Outside of the studio, I’m a proud parent of two adult children and the loving owner of two dogs. Dance has been my lifelong journey, and I’m grateful to share that journey with every dancer who walks through our doors.
