“We are Prodigy!” shouted the dancers with confidence — a powerful introduction from one of my favorite dance studio supporters. Today, I’m excited to highlight Prodigy Dance Studio, a place filled with passion, talent, and heart. I recently sat down with co-owners Amaya Castro and Gabbi Castro to learn more about their inspiring journey.

We were honored to feature 34 dancers from Prodigy in Save the Bees, our latest kids’ show — which showcases 65 talented cast members from around the world, including the USA 🇺🇸, France 🇫🇷, and South Korea 🇰🇷!

We’re incredibly grateful to every dancer, actor, and singer represented in our animated series. One thing that stood out to me about Prodigy is their genuine commitment to helping kids thrive — not just in dance, but in self-esteem and personal growth. That mission aligns perfectly with ours: to make learning fun through music and dance. Prodigy embodies this mission through their energy, excellence, and award-winning dedication.

Can you tell us how your dance studio began and what inspired you to start it?

When we were kids, my sister and I always dreamed of opening our own studio. We quickly developed a passion for dance at the age of 5 and never wanted to stop. If we weren’t training at the studio, we would be at home learning new skills and choreographing dances for fun. We knew that sharing our passion with the next generation was our true calling. With the help of our parents, we were able to open our studio doors in 2021– and it’s been history ever since! -Alyssa Castro, owner of Prodigy Dance Studio

How do you nurture confidence and creativity in your dancers at different ages?

With younger dancers, we nurture confidence mainly through praise and allowing them to demonstrate when they’re doing well. As they grow older, we encourage creativity by offering choreography opportunities —starting with something as small as an 8-count and eventually allowing them to create full pieces for showcases. Across all ages, we create a safe space for improvisation, which allows them to explore their movement and helps them take creative risks. -Alyssa Castro

How do you prepare your dancers for high-level performances like competitions and TV appearances?

We prepare our dancers for high-level performances with intense rehearsals leading up to the event. Along the way, we offer lots of encouragement and remind them that if they’ve been putting in the work all year, they have nothing to stress about—their hard work will reflect on stage/TV. We like to provide little treats and gifts for the dancers before their first competition and nationals to get them pumped up! -Alyssa Castro

What was it like preparing your dancers for the Dance Off segment on Save the Bees?

Preparing our dancers for the Dance Off segment on Save the Bees was definitely high-pressure. We had just a few hours to work with some of our youngest team members and get them camera-ready. The music was new to them, so the timing was a bit tricky at first. We had to make quick changes to formations and choreography on the spot, which was challenging—but also a great learning experience. It gave them a real taste of what working in commercial dance is like. -Alyssa Castro

What did being featured in a kids’ TV show mean for your studio and your dancers?

Being featured in a kids’ TV show was incredibly exciting for both our studio and our dancers. We are so thankful for the opportunity and can only imagine what else is in store for us. We are proud to see our hard work recognized and it’s extremely rewarding for our dancers to be featured on screen! -Alyssa Castro

How do you hope your students carry what they learn at your studio into the world?

We hope our students carry more than just technique into the world. We want them to leave with confidence, discipline, reliability, and adaptability. Dance teaches more than just steps– it also teaches resilience, teamwork, and how to express emotions in a fun, active way.- Alyssa Castro

What impact do you hope being on Save the Bees has on your students’ confidence and dreams?

We hope being part of Save the Bees helps our dancers feel proud of themselves and realize how far their hard work can take them. It’s such a big deal to be on camera and part of something special—it shows them that even at a young age, they can do amazing things. Our goal is for this experience to build their confidence and spark even bigger dreams for the future.- Alyssa Castro

What advice do you give to student dancers who may be doubting their abilities?

We remind them that nothing feels easy the first time, but with practice and confidence, they’ll overcome doubt—just like they did when learning something that now feels natural. Progress takes time, and it’s more important to focus on growth than perfection. We encourage them to believe in themselves and to always try before thinking about giving up.-Alyssa Castro

If you’re in the greater Miami or Princeton, Florida area, we highly encourage you to check out Prodigy Dance Studio. Whether your child is a beginner or an aspiring professional, this is a place where passion meets purpose — and dancers truly shine.

👉 Visit www.prodigydancers.com to learn more or enroll today.

Prodigy Dance Studio
📍 Address: 24835 South Dixie Highway, Princeton, FL 33032
📞 Tel: (786) 504-3196
✉️ Email: info@prodigydancers.com
🌐 Website: www.prodigydancers.com