Business Spotlight: Brentwood studio offers ballroom, swing, Latin, belly dance and more

By Roni Gehlke

Name of business: Red Door Dance Studio and Cozette's Dancing

Type of business: Dancing and fitness

Owners: Cozette Hileman and Toni Todd

Founded: February 2009

Address: 817 First St., Brentwood

Phone number: 925-516-3667

Web site: reddoordance.com

Hours: varies

Number of employees: two

Products and services: Cozette Hileman runs Cozette's Dancing, which features lessons in ballroom, Latin, swing and country line dancing.

Earlier this year Hileman partnered with Toni "Thalia" Todd, a local belly dance instructor, and together the women expanded the business to call it the Red Door Dance Studio. Together their studio offers various styles of dance and fitness, including ballroom, Latin and swing, belly dance, Sassy Pants Belly Dance Workout, hip hop, zumba, as well as yoga. They also recently added country line dancing.

Hileman has a Saturday Dance Party once a month as well as a workshop and Line Dance Party.

"Dancing in historic Brentwood is within a short driving range instead of a one- to two-hour drive," she said. "One Saturday a month, residents can have dinner in Brentwood and then walk to The Red Door Dance Studio for some dancing. Some of my clients call it a date night."

How did you get into the business: "I learned to dance jazz, tap and ballet at the age of 6. My mother danced most of her life and always encouraged my sister and I to dance," Hileman said. "When I was in the sixth grade I won a waltz contest and knew I had fallen in love with the beauty of structured dancing."

Years later as a student Hileman joined The Fred Astair Dance Studio and became educated in ballroom, Latin and swing dancing.

"I couldn't get enough of dance. I was taking private lessons as well as group lessons four times a week. I excelled fast and wanted to compete," she said.

After five years of competing in American and international dance styles, Hileman decided to become a dance instructor. She attended the Pick School of Dance in San Francisco and worked under two champions, Rhona Pick and Gene Jennings. She learned to teach the different styles of dance such as the waltz, fox trot, tango as well as the East and West Coast Swing and more.
She moved to Brentwood in 2001 and opened another dance studio, specializing in teaching couples are preparing their wedding or anniversary dance.

Best part about the business: "Seeing my clients excel," Hileman said.
Worst part about the business?: "Giving up," she said.
Key to success: "Loving what I do," Hileman said. She believes in giving 100 percent and making it fun.

Biggest misperception about the business: "People believing they have two left feet," Hileman said. "Dancing is about having fun and can be taught."

Future plans: "My goal is to keep the public of all ages interested in dancing," Hileman said. "It is very beneficial to learn to dance for your own joy as well as weddings, anniversary's, cruises, high school reunions, etc."