Pattern of large blue oval shapes with white background.

A woman with dark wavy hair and glasses working on a silver MacBook laptop while sitting on a vintage cream-colored sofa in a bright room with white walls and a large green leafy plant in a white pot behind her.

Hey, I’m Tara

I've spent nearly a decade in the dance world — not on the floor, but in the thick of it. As a dance mom and competition mom, I've lived the early call times, the costume chaos, the recital logistics, and the behind-the-scenes hustle that keeps a studio running. I didn't just watch it from the sidelines. I paid attention.

Before I turned that passion into a business, I spent years running the back office of a $10 million company as a CEO-level operator — managing the moving parts, keeping things organized, and making sure nothing fell through the cracks. Add event planning to the mix, and what you get is someone who genuinely thrives when things are complex, deadline-driven, and detail-heavy.

That's exactly why I started Ninth and Palmer. Dance studio owners are artists and teachers first — not spreadsheet managers, email drafters, or scheduling coordinators. I handle the behind-the-scenes work that's essential but eats up your time, so you can stay focused on what you built your studio for. Think of me as your studio's secret weapon: someone who already speaks your language, knows your world, and is ready to work.

Work With Me

YOUR STUDIO. FINALLY HANDLED.

"You became a studio owner to teach — not to manage a never-ending to-do list."

You're incredible at what you do on the floor. But between emails, scheduling, recital logistics, and the 47 tabs you have open, the business side is quietly stealing your energy. You need someone who gets it — and can just handle it.
"You know what needs to get done. You just don't have time to do it."

Competition season doesn't pause. Recital doesn't wait. And neither does your inbox. You've been running on adrenaline and sticky notes, and something always falls through the cracks. It doesn't have to.
"You've Googled 'virtual assistant for dance studios' and come up empty."

Because a generic VA doesn't know the difference between a convention and a comp weekend. You need someone who already lives in your world — who understands the chaos, the calendar, and the culture without a learning curve.
"You're the director, the admin, the customer service rep, and the social media manager — all before noon."

Wearing every hat was fine when it was just you. But your studio has grown, and you're still doing it all yourself. At some point, doing everything means doing nothing well. That's where I come in.
"You didn't survive comp season just to drown in the off-season paperwork."

The show is over, the trophies are in, and now you're buried in recaps, invoices, and planning for next year. The behind-the-scenes work never actually stops — but it doesn't all have to fall on you.