Michael Barriskill met Elliot Pack in the fall of 2005 and instantly found a kindred spirit who wanted to create a school that focused on teaching ‘life skills through dance.’ Together they developed a curriculum around the philosophy and both started BDTS in 2006 with 25 students and 3 full-time teachers. Since then, BDTS has quickly grown into one of the largest and most well-respected dance schools in North Carolina. Offering all the usual genres in dance education, BDTS also introduces students to musical theatre training, choreography classes and offers myriad performing opportunities in the community. Elliot Pack retired in the summer of 2017, when he turned ownership of the studio over to Mari O'Donnell.