Photo Provided by Wheeling Heritage Taylor Rys is opening up Rysing Star Dance Academy on Market Street this week after relocating the studio to its new home in July.

WHEELING — A dance academy is preparing to open its doors at a new home in Wheeling this week, and owner Taylor Rys is ready to teach kids of all skill levels.

Rysing Star Dance Academy’s new home at 1320 Market Street in Wheeling is their third home in two years, having set up shop in town back in July. Classes will begin this coming week.

Rys said that part of what sets Rysing Star apart is their ability to handle students of all abilities, including special needs dancers, through the Be A STAR program, which stands for Sensory integration, Therapeutic recreation, Acrobatics, and Rhythm.

“They work on several things aside from just dance — I’m also a behavioral therapist and occupational therapist, and I work for Augusta Levy (Learning Center) as well, so we incorporated both of those things to come up with this program,” Rys said.

Rys added that she specializes in working with children with autism, which leads to numerous different dynamics at the studio.

“We have something for everyone. It’s not just the competitive focus, or for people of a certain level of ability,” she said.

The academy cultivates three dance companies: a recreational company, which doesn’t compete, but performs at shows; a performance company, which does parades, videos, holiday shows, and fundraisers, and a competition company.

Additionally, Rys said the inclusion of an all-boys dance troupe is another distinguishing feature.

The studio offers numerous styles of dance, including jazz, tap, ballet, cheer and musical theater.

“That’s another thing that sets us aside — I don’t think any other places in the area has an all-boys group,” she said. “… We have nine or ten genres of classes that we offer.”

This month, Rys said the academy is hosting several Halloween-themed activities. Through Oct. 25, a pumpkin contest is being held, whether they be carved, decorated or painted.

Categories include best overall, scariest, funniest, most creative, most challenging, and most RSDA spirit.

Through the week of Oct. 25 to 30, students are encouraged to wear their costumes to class, or to come decked out in Halloween accessories and attire — as long as they’re mobile enough to dance in.

Costume categories include “funny and fabulous,” spookiest, most creative, most glamorous, most original, most iconic, standout costume, and “cutest pumpkin in the patch.”

Finally, as Rys also works with Augusta Levy, her dance studio will be participating in their Trunk-or-Treat event Oct. 23.

“Last year, I started this, and the kids really loved it, so I wanted to keep it going,” Rys said. “… Since I do work for Augusta Levy, they’re doing a fundraiser for the kids there. I’m having our studio accept donations of candy or little sensory toys for the trunk-or-treat, and we’ll have a car there for Rysing Star at the event.”