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Your LOCAL Media since 1918! VOLUME 107: ISSUE 38
www.tofieldmerc.com
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Tofield’s Gravity Dance Force sold, owner retires Niko’s Dance Team will operate out of both Ryley and Tofield Vanessa Poitras Staff Reporter After 15 years in operation Gravity Dance Force (GDF) in Tofield will be retiring, along with owner Twyla Robinson. Niki Hofer of Niko’s Dance Team in Ryley has purchased the studio and will operate out of both locations. The studio was sold in January, and Robinson uploaded her retirement announcement video on Monday, May 5. Robinson said that the decision to retire had been on her mind for about a year, and that she feels it is the best decision for her and her family at this time. After 44 years of dancing, 35 years of teaching and 15 years owning Gravity Dance Force, I am ready for what is next for me,” Robinson said. Hofer wants GDF families to be confident that their children will be placed in the same groupings and any preferences for either studio will be considered. “We want to make the transition as smooth as possible. Many of the same teachers will be at
both studios. Families are still encouraged to register for their preferred studio, Tofield or Ryley, and the same groupings will apply for registered dancers. “We are trying to make it easier for families. The students and families are our number one priority. I am not coming in and taking over, instead, we are coming together as a family,” Hofer explained. “With the new ownership I am most excited for the two communities, Tofield and Ryley, to come together, incorporating the communities and being able to attend events together as well,” Hofer said. Robinson has been dancing since she was five years old and started out at Tofield School of Dance. “My greatest accomplishment is right now, knowing that I did my job well, that I gave my students the best memories through dance that they will have for the rest of their lives. I feel I am leaving on a high note. I know I made a home for all the kids that have come through the studio,” she said. As for her retirement plans, she said she will
see where life takes her but her involvement with dance is far from over. “I am going to see what piques my interest. I will still be adjudicating as much as I can at festivals such as the StarStruck Dance Festival,” Robinson said. Robinson and Hofer met through the dance community decades ago, at the Tofield School of Dance. “I am not coming in blind; I got the down low from Miss Twy about everything that is needed and I am excited to offer it to you guys in the next season,” Hofer said in the online announcement video. “(With Niki and this transition,) I knew my kids were going to be taken care of and I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t think that was going to happen,” Robinson explained in the video.
Twyla Robinson of Gravity Dance Force in Tofield has retired and Niki Hofer of Niko's Dance Team in Ryley has bought the studio and will operate out of both locations. Last week Niko's dancers performed for seniors at the Tofield Lodge and Sunshine Villa on Monday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 14. They were also at the Holden Lodge the week before, on Tuesday, May 6. AMBER CARSON PHOTO
LESLEY ANDERSON PHOTOS