It is 2020, I turn 50, I celebrate 30 years of marriage as well this year. And if you told me, I would be dancing on a stage with my three beautiful daughters at this age, I would have thought you were crazy.

Since my oldest daughters journey in 2013 with battling cancer, I have found the blessings in my life that I previously took for granted. I guess you can say it is true that when something terrible happens in your life, you can find the blessings, you can find the good, you just might have to look extra hard. And some people never get that opportunity to see the other side or take the time to try. I thank God everyday for helping me see it.

As I prepare for the next stage in my life, I have to remember what keeps me different, what I’m passionate about and who I help along the way. Your life is finding your gift and then giving it away. I think that is what makes you happy, keeps you positive and motivated.

If you have taking the time to visit my website, to learn a little more about the CR Spirits. I thank you. I hope it leaves you realizing, that dreams do come true.

An interview from a former student:

The CR Spirits Professional Dance Team & Studio was founded in 1993 by Tiffany Saari-Kuehl. The Professional Dance Team was the original start to the CR Spirits. A professional group of women that would meet once a week, learn high-energy, crowd pleasing choreography, and perform all over the community. That was the beginning idea for the CR Spirits. Red, white, & blue were the colors that represented this strong Professional Dance Team & Studio for the first 26 years! This last year, Team #27 had changed the colors to black and gold for the Big Spirit Show “It’s Our Party”, which was also Tiffany’s 50th Birthday!

Tiffanyʼs choreography can hold the attention of a crowd from young to old. She has been choreographing since 1983. Tiffany choreographs for all ages from Dance and Cheer routines, Competitions, Show Choirs Events, Body-Building Shows, Fitness Routines, Pageants, and her passion, the Professional Dance Team. Roughly 60 routines a season she choreographs just for Iowa performances alone.

Tiffany is not only a choreographer but a Motivational Speaker. Some of the venues Tiffany speaks at would include Company Banquets, Women Events, Middle Schools, High Schools, and College Classes.

Tiffany believes in giving back to the community. In 2013 alone also during the time her daughter fell ill, Tiffany provided approximately 90 hours of her time in performances for festivals and charity events. This did not include her staff or the Professional Teamʼs time.

The Professional Dance Team is a volunteer organization, since 1993. Once a week for three hours these women donate their time and energy to come into the dance room and fulfill their passion. They learn Tiffany’s dances, listen to her lectures which has helped shape them into the strong confident women that they are today. The opportunity Tiffany gives these women and herself over the years has been exciting. The CR Spirits Professional Dance Team has performed all over Iowa and the United States. Adventures not only include performing for many outstanding fans but the Commercials and Modeling Opportunities as well. From opening for Big Performance Acts, attending the Dick Clark’s New Years Eve Bash, to being offered a job in Las Vegas. The Spirits were asked to do a TV Pilot in California, as well as being on Stand-by for the Troops in Iraq for a 10 day celebrity tour to Iraq. Vegas however, is still her favorite place to perform!

When & Where was the first CR Spirits meeting held?

The first meeting was in September of 1993 and was held in my living room. A few girls (old friends of mine) were the start of the team. I knew their dance history and explained to them the dream I had. After studio_doorthe meeting, I had to take the girls to my garage to show the dance routine they would soon be learning. If it wasn’t for them believing in me, CR Spirits would have not ever happened. Your character plays a huge roll in your life’s journey and you don’t even realize it until much later.

What was the desire in starting the CR Spirits?

Simple…Performing. I enjoy the stage. It was exciting to perform in high school, college, and as a CBA Silverbullet Cheerleader. The crowds loved seeing the girls perform and I loved performing. Those days were over, at least I thought. Being settled in Cedar Rapids with my family there was nothing in this area that I was looking for. I was looking for a “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader” look only here in Cedar Rapids. Starting something like this, I didn’t have the big sponsors, no one was going to back me up, and no one was really looking for cheerleaders.  How was I going to build the Spirits name and idea? It was a desire, it was in my heart.  The lesson here, “Believe in yourself”!

What was the CR Spirits first performance?

Our first CR Spirits performance was the 1994 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. I was so scared. I was nervous for my team and for myself. I didn’t know if the public would accept it. No sponsors, not a part of any sport, group, or business in Cedar Rapids, just a group of women that enjoy dancing and performing. I remember trying to stay professional in front of the team and thinking it we get booed, I will never do this again. The commentators for the parade were wonderful. The things they said on television about the Spirits were what made me continue with my dream.  A big thanks to Denny Frary of the Channel 9 News!

What are some past memories of other first events of the CR Spirits?

I can’t quit smiling. One of the best things about being a part of a team…is the memories. It’s like a family. I have wonderful memories. Funny ones, sad ones, it has made my journey through life so much more.
Here are some old memories from the beginning.

I remember my daughter “Crystal” who was so little at the time; we used her stroller like a wagon. I put the stereo on top of the stroller to perform at festivals in downtown Cedar Rapids. It was a way to get our name out. It worked, but I remember carrying her, pushing the stroller, holding onto a diaper bag, watching the crowds gush over us, and then watch some spectators trying to figure out our age. No we were not high school, even though our style was young. Laughing and embarrassed I would NEVER do that now!
The Cedar Rapids Fire Department was ALWAYS supportive of the CR Spirits. This one time the Cedar Rapids Fire Department had to tape down our stereo to the front of their truck. It was all strapped down so we could perform/dance with the firemen during a parade. We danced to a country song by George Straight “The Fireman”. The idea was good and the compliments were pouring in. I am sure those firemen can’t believe they had to do that. Matter of fact I have it on tape/video. I should get it out.
Let’s see there was a Cedar Rapids Kernels Game that we did. It rained, should I say, poured and of course the game must still go on. So, the dancers had mud all over them from head to toe. You name it mud everywhere! The team was giggling. I was so mad at them for giggling through the performance. We are professionals I told them, even in the rain. But I have to admit what a great memory!

How many times does the Professional Team practice and where?

We practice once a week, every Wednesday from 6:30 -9:30pm. Our studio is located in Lindale Mall, since 2001. Anyone is welcome to watch. I have always wanted to have a studio in the Mall. It took me 8 years to get that place.

Where were you before the mall?

With it being a volunteer dance team we needed a place to practice for FREE and my garage was not cutting it. I remember making so many phone calls to companies, it was so much work. So, THANK YOU to the Jane Boyd Center who held my first few months of practices, then Farmer State Bank basement in Hiawatha who took over for the next 2 1/2 years, then the Cedar Rapids Fire Department Main Central Station had jumped in to help us out for about a year. After that I was able to reach another goal, opening my first studio which was located in Twisters Gymnastics. A few years after that I opened a 2nd studio located in downtown Cedar Rapids and after a couple of years of that, I wanted one location and moved into Lindale Mall!

Another lesson, “Your character is way more important than you think.  It is important to your future of who you become and how you get there”.

It sounds like you have reached a lot of your goals?

I think I always have had goals or making new ones. Plus God filled me with HOPE.

My 1st goal was to have a Professional Dance Team.

My 2nd goal was to have a Professional Team Poster. That meant sponsors. Sponsors are hard to fine. The sponsor has to believe in your dream or at least in you. We did get that Professional Team Poster by our 2nd year.

My 3rd goal was a dance studio with maybe 24 students. I reached that goal in 3 1/2 years and 24 students were reached by my 2nd month. Never in my dreams did I think that was going to happen.

4th goal was a swimsuit calendar that took 6 years to get and when it came out the CR Spirits Professional Dance Team and Studio went to a new level.

What a wonderful feeling that is to achieve.  And making new goals have always continued, even when you get off path you have to find your goals again!

You only wanted 24 students?

Yeah, I thought I would be lucky to find 24 girls that would want to do this. To do what I enjoy doing. In two months I was way past the 24 mark. For a year and half the studio had a ONE YEAR waiting list to get into. The business grew so fast, I was not sure how to run it. Having a family that I had to put first but yet a dream that I wanted to fill was very hard to do and juggle. I did my best and I am very fortunate. Now that I am in the mall we offer a lot of different classes but the studio performing classes are still elite.

New Questions…

So when you hit 25 years in business? I heard that you were done, wanted to close up the CR Spirits? Is that true?

It is true, as you get older your life changes, your desires can change too and I could tell I was not as creative. I also had/have a daughter that is fighting cancer daily and I just didn’t want to worry about a Team, a Business, coming up with new ideas and so fourth. Today there is so many dance studios in Cedar Rapids, I really don’t need to do it anymore. Well, that is what I thought.

Team #26 was the change in the studio even though the Professional Team remained pretty much the same, just not as active in the community. I decided to do studio classes more for exercise, no performances, cheap dance classes, with new choreography and no commitment for any age. It was fun and different.

During that time though, my daughter, my fighter said, “I need the Spirit Show”, I need one more Big Show. I need to dance, perform, it makes me feel good”. And that was it, I started looking for Team #27 and a new idea for the Spirits Studio.

Are you glad that you kept it going?

I sure am. At first I question this new journey, this new idea, this Team #27 adventure. And I begged God for a sign I was doing the right thing. And in less than a few weeks, I could feel the inspiration, I could feel my creativity coming alive which made me happy and I found myself again. Listening to the beautiful stories from our fans, sponsors, families and dancers this last year, I find myself very lucky to be alive and to hear those kind hearted words.

So I would say, that your dance studio is different because you have an adult team and you are all older?

((Laughing)) Okay Yes, but we are not all old. We are different, are youngest this last year was 19, up to age 53 on the Professional Dance Team. I have been around for 27 years and I still perform. There is no certain size, certain look, dance background requirement and there never has been. My mission statement from the beginning has been, to have fun! Life is so much sweeter when you are having fun and surrounding yourself with positive people! I have never cut down other dance studios, however we always seem to be on their minds. We don’t compete, we never have and we encourage all types of dance. Remember there are all forms of dance. Ballet is just one of them. Tap is just one of them. Just the training for those two types alone is incredible and beautiful but that doesn’t mean you cut down the other styles, other forms.

How about the students in your studio, do you teach them the same way as the Professional Team?

I sure do. I have found that kids want to have fun, they want to perform, they want to feel like a star on a stage too. So you bet and the key is building confidence. Oh it is not all fun, there is work in there and it is not for everyone but when the show is done, you are a changed person no matter what age. And now after this last show, I love small teams. Small Studio Teams, that is my new thing. Honestly though, people have always thought I was this huge studio but I am not, never have been. I was always about quality not quantity. I am very proud of that. It was tempting though because the money is in quantity.

On another note, I love it when parents who have their children in other studios say, your recital is very different I find myself not falling asleep. Exactly!!!! We are different. It is just another style.