In a small town where community means everything, Powers Performing Arts Center is doing more than teaching dance — it is building confidence, connection, and opportunity for Rio Vista’s youngest residents.
Founded by Nicole Powers, a Bay Area native who grew up as a competition and professional dancer, the woman-owned studio was created with one clear purpose: to give local children a space where they can shine, learn, and grow.
Powers spent her formative years training and performing throughout the Bay Area’s competitive dance circuit. The discipline and artistry she developed there would shape her career — but it also shaped her vision for what a studio should be.
“I grew up with teachers who pushed me, gave me confidence, and supported me to follow my heart in this industry, and it shaped who I am,” Powers said. “Dance gave me assurance, work ethic, and a sense of belonging. I wanted to bring that same feeling to kids here in Rio Vista.”
That desire turned into Powers Performing Arts Center, now an emerging space for youth in the community. The studio offers classes for children as young as 18 months old and continues through advanced levels, as well as an award winning competition dance team, welcoming students of all abilities.
Programs include tumbling, tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, cheer dance, and more — giving families a wide range of opportunities under one roof. They even offer a thrilling ninja tumbling class that incorporates elements of parkour and acrobatics.
More than technique, however, the studio emphasizes encouragement and self-expression.
“I love Rio Vista,” Powers said. “This town is such a close-knit, supportive place. I wanted to create something here where kids feel seen, where they can build confidence and really shine — even in a small community.”
Parents say the impact goes beyond the dance floor. Students gain teamwork skills, resilience, and friendships that extend into school and everyday life. In a town where youth programs can be limited, the studio has become a gathering place — one filled with music, expression, and growth.
As a woman-owned small business, Powers Performing Arts Center has also felt the pressures many local organizations are currently facing. The broader economic shift has presented challenges, and like many community-based programs, the studio is navigating rising costs while striving to keep classes accessible for families.
“We’ve definitely felt the economic shift,” Powers shared. “But our mission hasn’t changed. We want to continue being a place for kids to grow and express themselves. If there are community members who feel called to support that mission through donations, it truly makes a difference, especially for those dancers a part of our PPAC Scholarship program, who receive tuition assistance.”
Despite those challenges, the studio remains focused on its heart-centered purpose: investing in Rio Vista’s youth.
“Not every child is going to pursue dance professionally,” Powers said. “But every child deserves to feel proud, capable, and confident. If we can help them find that spark, even just once, then we’re doing something meaningful.”
In a town defined by its sense of togetherness, Powers Performing Arts Center stands as a reflection of that spirit– a place where small-town kids are given a big stage, and where one woman’s lifelong passion is helping the next generation step into the spotlight.
If you are interested in signing up your child for classes, please visit their website at PowersPerformingArts.com or by calling the studio directly at (925) 989-6746. If dancing is not for you, but you wish to financially support the arts in town, along with helping the PPAC Scholarship program, call the studio directly, or head over to their GoFundMe by visiting https://gofund.me/20d327b9f
