About Us

Who Are We?

CDI is a dance studio located in Encinitas that specializes in classical dance training for all ages. We believe it is important to cultivate a learning environment that is healthy, all-inclusive, welcoming, and fun! We push our dancers to be the best they can be by providing constructive feedback in a positive manner.

What Sets Us Apart?

Well, many things! One is that we don’t compete. Competition is great for many studios, but we would rather focus on instilling the LOVE for the ART of dance in our students, rather than promoting competitiveness. But don’t worry! Your student will get to show their skills at our end-of-year recital.

We also tend to have smaller class sizes, so your student will have a better chance of getting one-on-one attention and a bigger opportunity to grow!

Another aspect that sets us apart is that we make sure only to play appropriate music, teach appropriate dance moves, and choose appropriate costumes based upon your child’s age. We don’t believe in bringing attention to our students’ bodies in a sexualizing or provocative manner at any age. And we don’t encourage listening or dancing to suggestive music containing curse words or questionable lyrics. We pride ourselves on creating family-friendly performances, full of great talent that everyone can enjoy! In other words, you won't be embarrassed to invite Grandma and Grandpa to your child's performance.

What Styles Do We Offer?

We offer classes for all ages in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theater, hip hop, and tumbling!

We also offer technique classes in turns and leaps and stretch and strengthening.

Check out our class schedule on our "classes" page.

Recitals and Conventions

We put on end-of-year recitals! We love showing our friends and families what we've been working on all year! These recitals are also benefits to raise money for Connor's Cause. More about them on our "Connor's Cause" tab.

We also attend annual dance conventions!

COVID precautions

Although Covid-19 cases aren't currently surging, we still want to keep our families safe and make sure to not spread any kind of virus.

If you have any cold/flu or Covid-like symptoms, please stay home from classes until you recover and can receive a Covid test that confirms you are negative!

Masks are optional for all ages.

Meet Our Instructors

Linda Wilkerson

Owner & Director

Ballet, Pointe, Beg Lyrical, Combo Classes

Linda Wilkerson, "Miss Linda", started dancing at the age of 10, and at the age of 14 received a scholarship to attend the American School of Dance in Hollywood. She trained under the direction of Eugene Loring and took master classes from Robert Joffrey, Marcel Marceau, and many others—the same ones as Juliet Prowse, Mary Tyler Moore, and George Chakiris, just to name a few. She went on to own, direct, and teach at Village School of Dance in Los Angeles County for 18 years. VSD won multiple awards, having placed in many competitions at the national level and attended dance conventions in LA, Orange County, New York, and Las Vegas. In 1991, she sold her studio and moved to San Diego where she has owned, directed, and taught at CDI for the last 28 years.

"It brings me great pleasure to give your child the gift of dance and to make this an experience that they will be able to enjoy for many years. Dancing not only builds their bodies physically but mentally and emotionally as well. Now is the time to build our children’s self-esteem and to give them the confidence that we all need in life. A positive environment can only help build that confidence".

Meghan McDowell

Linda Wilkerson

Tumbling, Hip Hop,

Jazz III, Adv Lyrical, Musical Theater

Meghan McDowell started dancing at the age of three and has had the opportunity of being a student of Miss Linda since she was eight years old. She was a member of Coastal Academy High School's dance team in her junior year and is currently a full-time choreographer for them, having choreographed many routines that the team performs and competes with. She also has taught private dance lessons as a side business. Meghan is now a student at MiraCosta College and a member of their Touring Dance Ensemble, where she is working towards achieving a B.A. in Dance with an emphasis in choreography. One of her greatest joys is being a leader to others so she is beyond excited to be teaching at CDI!