Amsterdam has an internationally recognised reputation as a city where ballet and modern dancing are in focal attention. But up until September 2004, there weren't any professionally arranged studios which worked on an independent basis, where freelance dancers, veterans and amateurs could practise. In Brussels, Paris and New York such vivid studios exist, why did not one exists in Amsterdam? With this lack of a good studio Valerie Valentine was confronted after her farewell as a soloist at the national ballet. After a successful career of 25 years at the National Ballet, and two years as guest soloist at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin she did not want to leave the profession without carrying her knowledge to following generations. She wanted to stay in training and start developing projects. But there were no facilities available to attain these objectives. Instead of requesting and waiting for financial aid, she actively searched for the solution herself. And as the famous saying goes; 'look and you'll find'. The stokerij, a neglected gym of 1200m2 under the shade of the Westertoren, a long time ago the gindistillery of Bols. The stokerij became DanceStreet. According to her own wishes based on various international experiences, four studios with all necessary equipment were built. Meeting up with all requirements.

DanceStreet is originated from enthusiasm and idealism. It is a private initiative, which provides in a need. Our aim is to develop dancing as a form of expression. DanceStreet makes this possible by giving good dance-education, to both the professional as well to the amateur. Besides dance-eduction, DanceStreet offers a lot of different shows, workshops and masterclasses, also studios are available to third parties.