Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Middleton.
Hi Colleen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Opening a dance studio was never part of my life plan. I actually studied Public Relations in college and landed what I thought was my dream corporate job. I was on a great career path, checking all the boxes. But on the side, I was coaching baton twirling, something I’d grown up doing at a high competitive level and continued in college as a Majorette with the Redcoat Band at the University of Georgia.
Coaching started out as just something fun to do for a little extra money, but it quickly became the thing I looked forward to most. Watching my students light up as they learned new skills and gained confidence gave me a sense of purpose I didn’t feel sitting behind a desk. Baton twirling had always been a part of my life, but suddenly it became clear it was more than a hobby – it was what I was meant to do.
Around that time, I met someone really special (now my husband), and life got busier. Between a demanding full-time job, growing coaching commitments, and a new relationship, something had to give. With his encouragement, I took a leap of faith, left the corporate world behind, and opened a studio of my own.
That was in 2020 — not exactly the easiest time to start a small business — but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Forte Dance & Twirl Studio was born, and this year we’re celebrating our fifth season! Located in Roswell, Georgia, Forte offers high-energy, confidence-building classes for kids ages 2.5 to 18 in ballet, jazz, hip hop, acrobatics, and of course, baton twirling. Our mission is simple: to help kids grow in both skill and self-assurance while having a ton of fun in the process.
About two years in, my husband, Clay, began working at the studio full time as well and we operate it as a partnership. Today, we’re proud to serve around 200 students each week who come through our doors to dance, twirl, and train. Our competition baton teams have earned multiple national titles and in 2023 and 2025, we even represented Team USA at the World Championships, finishing fourth this year in Italy! It’s been incredible to see how far our athletes have come, and we’re excited to continue supporting our high-level students as they chase big dreams.
At the same time, we’re also expanding our reach to serve our tiniest movers and shakers. We just announced our newest project — Forte Play Studio — a movement-centered play space and café designed for little ones ages 0–6 and their grown-ups. It will be a place to explore, connect, and play inside Forte Dance & Twirl Studio. We can’t wait to open this new part of our business in early 2026 and bring even more families into the Forte community!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ha – definitely not! Like most small businesses, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges along the way. From finding the right staff and navigating ever-changing technology to simply getting the right customers through our doors, there’s been a lot of learning on the fly.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is the importance of flexibility. It’s great to have a business plan, but you can’t get too attached to it as things rarely unfold exactly the way you imagine. Being open to change has helped us grow stronger and smarter as a business.
Also, working together with your spouse is a unique challenge, but incredibly rewarding. Clay and I are constantly working towards building the life we want to be living. I’m so grateful to have a partner who supports me fully and is just as passionate about chasing big dreams as I am.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Forte, I wear a lot of hats, but my favorite one by far is coach and choreographer. My true specialty is baton twirling, and I absolutely love creating choreography. Over the years, we’ve built a strong reputation for our team routines; several of our teams have won National titles, and we’ve represented the United States at the World Championships three times. Most recently, our Artistic Group placed 4th in the world this past summer in Italy!
Beyond team coaching, I also love working with college-level twirlers. Helping them craft tryout routines and collegiate performances that showcase their strengths is such a rewarding part of what I do. We’ve had several athletes at Forte go on to twirl at universities across the country. In addition to my work at Forte, I serve as the Twirling Coordinator for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Marching Band, which is a lot of fun.
But honestly, my favorite students to coach might be the beginners – the ones just discovering their love of twirling for the first time. Watching their focus, determination, and joy as they work toward that first successful “catch” never gets old. We even have a tradition where students earn a button for catching their first “one spin” (where you toss the baton, spin once, and catch it). Seeing their faces light up in that moment is the best part of my job.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay to evolve. Change isn’t bad even though it can be scary. When we opened Forte in 2020, I had a vision of what it would be, but it’s grown and transformed in ways I never could’ve imagined. We love listening to our community which inspires us to create new opportunities — like our newest project, Forte Play Studio — to better serve the families who walk through our doors.
Looking back, I realize this mindset started long before Forte. I loved my time at the University of Georgia, where I earned degrees in Public Relations and History. I was passionate about what I studied and built a career in corporate PR that taught me so much. But over time, I realized it wasn’t the path I was meant to stay on forever. That experience showed me that your career doesn’t have to be a straight line.
It’s okay to pivot, to trust your instincts, and to chase something new when it feels right. Growth happens when you stay curious and open to change. I’ve learned that success doesn’t have to look one certain way, you’re allowed to redefine it on your own terms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fortedancetwirl.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortedancetwirl/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForteDanceTwirl/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fortedancetwirl
- Other: https://www.forteplaystudio.com/
Image Credits
N/A – these are all photos that have been taken by me or my staff on iPhones. I have all permissions to use kid’s faces in photos.
