St. Louis Native Opens Dance Studio at St. Louis Outlet Mall

When Rashad Rounds, or more popularly known as Rashad “Wizdom Truth”, told his family and friends he wanted to be a dancer, one dream always stuck out in his head -- to open his own dance studio. Now that dream is finally coming true after so many others.

Wizdom Truth plans to open his studio, Famous Fresh Studios, in St. Louis Outlet Mall Saturday.

“This is something I wanted to do since I started dancing,” he said in a phone interview with Patch. "I really want to give back to my community and bring the skills I've acquired and the L.A. dance vibe to St. Louis," Wizdom says. "My vision is to be the premiere industry studio in the Midwest where we can groom kids, teenagers and adult dancers to a professional level."

Wizdom grew up mainly in Olivette area and had a number of opportunities to attend college on a basketball or track scholarship, but he decided to pursue his love of dance. He said he used to watch the Flygirls on “In Living Color” and the other dancers on Def Comedy Jam, and just fell in love with the thought of dancing.

“If you didn’t have grades or focus, college would be hard for someone, and that was me,” Wizdom said.

Two years after graduating from Ladue Horton Watkins High School, he got the opportunity that would change his life. He auditioned for St. Louis rapper Pretty Willie and got a spot touring and performing with him.

In the past 12 years, Wizdom has traveled the world and worked with countless artists, including Estelle, Omarion, Usher and on shows such as Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance?

Wizdom said that he still has a place in Los Angeles, but that he will remain based in St. Louis with the studios taking off.

“You can only dance for so long,” he said.

Famous Fresh Studios will offer an experience for everyone. Professional dancers interested in breaking into the business will have a place to practice and get more insight into the industry, while classes for all ages will be offered ranging from ballet to jazz to, of course, hip hop.

He said St. Louis Outlet Mall is the perfect location for a parent to drop off their child for dance class, get a little shopping done or see a movie and pick up the child afterwards.

The studio officially opens in St. Louis Outlet Mall Saturday, but free sample classes will be offered Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Visit Famous Fresh Studios website or its Facebook page.